Gamrat Introduces Constitutional Amendment Targeting Executive Departments

Gamrat's Sunset Constitutional Amendment

  By Brandon Hall     
(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

State Rep. Cindy Gamrat has introduced a Constitutional amendment requiring a five year "sunset provision" on a number of facets in the Executive wing of State government. The sunsets would require approval of the legislature and not the Governor if her amendment passes. 

State Rep. Cindy Gamrat

Gamrat said of the bill:

"Last week I introduced for co-sponsorship a 5 year Sunset Bill that amends the Constitution to require a mandatory five year sunset to any new agency, act, executive order, or administrative rule promulgated by an executive department. Any newly created act, order, agency, or rule would only be effective for a maximum of five years after creation or promulgation, at which point it may be extended for additional periods of up to five years if both houses of the legislature approve by joint resolution. This joint resolution would not be subject to approval or veto by the governor. 

This amendment serves several purposes. It strengthens the supremacy of the legislative branch in law making and provides an important check on the rule making powers of executive branch entities. It forces legislatures to think very carefully about the long-reaching generational effects of public policy before instituting any new programs or statutes. Most importantly, it allows future legislatures to have honest and continued debate about the efficacy of laws and programs on a rolling basis. 

The current laws on the books for our state are physically immeasurable, and each has an impact on the liberties and freedoms of our states residents, business, and future generations. A sunset rule adopted into our constitution ensures good public policy remains forward-thinking and is open to reevaluation at regular periods. We are still experiencing the effects of policy decisions made during Michigan’s lost decade; had a sunset provision like this amendment been in Michigan’s constitution at the time, we would have been able to undo many of the troubling policy decisions that continue to frame our approach to governing this great state.
This bill will be available for co-sponsorship of the other legislators in the House on Tuesday and Wednesday. I encourage you to let your legislator know your thoughts about supporting this bill."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics. >>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com 
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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson