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HB 5600

Legislature: legislative agencies; office of tribal legislative liaison; create. Creates new act.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Abraham Aiyash and 65 co-sponsors

Creates the Office of the Tribal Legislative Liaison to build government-to-government ties with Michigan's tribes and advise lawmakers on how legislation affects them.

assigned PA 208'24
#legislature:legislativeagencies
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Bill Summary · HB 5600

Summary — HB 5600 / Public Act 208 of 2024

Title: Legislature: legislative agencies; office of tribal legislative liaison; create
Sponsor: Rep. Carrie A. Rheingans

Purpose

Create an Office of the Tribal Legislative Liaison within the Legislative Council to establish and maintain a government‑to‑government relationship between Michigan’s federally recognized tribes and the Legislature, and to consult with the Legislature during development of legislation that may affect those tribes.

Key provisions

  • Establishes the Office of the Tribal Legislative Liaison within the Legislative Council.
  • Principal executive officer is the Tribal Legislative Liaison, appointed by the Legislative Council from a list of at least three names provided by the United Tribes of Michigan (or a successor organization). The liaison serves at the pleasure of the Council.
  • Office staffing minimum: the liaison plus at least two tribal legislative policy advisors to perform legislative analysis and policy work.
  • The Legislative Council must establish procedures for approving the Office’s budget, expenditures, and staff employment; the Council approves the Office budget and hires staff.
  • Required liaison duties:
    • Maintain relationships with each of Michigan’s 12 federally recognized tribes and visit each tribe at least once per year.
    • Provide guidance to legislators and staff on how proposed legislation may affect tribes and tribal members.
    • Inform the Legislature about the impact of specific legislation on the tribes.
    • Provide an annual training (not less than one hour) for members and staff covering how to consult/coordinate with the liaison and the history/current state of the tribes.
    • May communicate with tribal liaisons in the executive branch.
  • Annual reporting: by December 31 each year, the Office must submit a written report to the Governor, Senate Majority Leader, Speaker of the House, and each legislative committee chair summarizing concerns presented by elected tribal leaders during development of legislation in the prior year; the report must be posted publicly.

Who is affected

  • The 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan (listed in bill analyses and materials).
  • Members of the Michigan Legislature and their staff (consultation, guidance, and required training).
  • The Legislative Council (administration, budget, and appointment authority).
  • Executive‑branch tribal liaisons (as a potential communication partner).

Fiscal impact

  • Estimated ongoing cost: approximately $500,000 annually.
    • Based on FY 2024–25 average state employee cost of $138,900, salary/benefits for the liaison and two policy advisors estimated at ~$416,700; remaining funds cover office operations.
  • FY 2024–25 appropriations: $500,000 GF/GP for the Office was included in Public Act 121 of 2024; this amount is expected to cover initial year setup and staffing.
  • Comparable Legislative Council offices: Legislative Corrections Ombudsman (~$1.59M) and Michigan Veterans Facility Ombudsman (~$369K).

Timeline / procedural status

  • Introduced: March 20, 2024 (House).
  • Passed House: September 25, 2024.
  • Passed Senate: December 11, 2024.
  • Approved by Governor: January 17, 2025.
  • Filed with Secretary of State / Assigned Public Act No. 208 of 2024: January 17, 2025.
  • Effective date: April 2, 2025.
  • Ongoing: annual duties (tribal visits, training, and Dec. 31 report).

Additional notes

  • Appointment process gives the United Tribes of Michigan (UTM) a formal role by requiring the Council to select the liaison from a list of at least three names provided by UTM or its successor.
  • The law codifies an institutional mechanism for tribal consultation at the legislative level, aiming to improve communications and assessment of tribal impacts during bill development.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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