Michigan Lawmakers Pass Statewide Coronavirus Measures

MICHIGAN — Michigan lawmakers worked through Tuesday night and into early Wednesday morning to pass a series of statewide coronavirus safety bills that essentially continue orders issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prior to the orders being struck down by the state Supreme Court.

Among bills passed by legislators overnight were a bill expanding unemployment, a bill extending the expiration for driver's license and registration renewals, a bill allowing for virtual meetings and another changing nursing home policies.

Senate bills 886 and 911 expand unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks for those eligible to receive benefits due to having been out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Senate bill 1108 allows local municipalities, school boards and other entities hold public meetings virtually.

Senate bill 1094 implements recommendations issued by the Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force, which Whitmer announced the creation of earlier this year.

Deadlines to renew Michigan driver's licenses and vehicle registrations will be extended to Dec. 31 under House Bill 6192.

The bills now go to Whitmer's desk for final approval.

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Legislators discussed the coronavirus measures in part because many of the issues were addressed by executive orders issued by Whitmer throughout the pandemic. Those orders, however, were deemed null when the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the law Whitmer cited in issuing executive orders was unconstitutional.

On Monday, the court reaffirmed its decision by not extending Whitmer's previously issued orders to Oct. 30.

Since the court's initial ruling, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon on has issued emergency orders mirroring orders issued by Whitmer. One issued last week restricts gathering sizes and requires face coverings in pubic spaces.

Gordon's order comes under a legal authority enacted by the Michigan Legislature after the Spanish Flu of 1918 specifically to deal with epidemics, according to a news release. That statute was not at issue in the Supreme Court's ruling, officials said.

Local municipalities, such as Detroit, Wayne and Oakland counties, have also issued localized orders requiring similar measures.