All Roll Calls
Yes: 139 • No: 0
MichiganHB 40452025-2026 Regular SessionHouse
Civil procedure: civil actions; lawsuits for exercising rights to free expression; provide protections against. Creates new act. Last Action: assigned PA 52'25
Sponsored By: Kara Hope (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Civil procedure: civil actions
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster dismissal for public speech lawsuits
Michigan law creates a faster dismissal process for lawsuits over protected public expression and communications in or about government proceedings. It covers speech, press, assembly, petitioning, and association on matters of public concern. A party must request dismissal within 60 days after service, unless the court allows more time for good cause. The request generally pauses proceedings between the parties, including evidence gathering, through the appeal deadline and any appeal. Courts may allow narrowly limited evidence gathering needed for the requesting party to meet its burden. Hearings generally must occur within 60 days after filing, or within 60 days after an order allowing evidence gathering. Once the requesting party shows the claim is covered, the opponent must show it is excluded or provide evidence supporting every essential element. Claims can also be dismissed for legal defects or when no material facts require a trial. Dismissal prevents refiling; a denial can be appealed as of right within 21 days. Exclusions preserve claims under listed civil rights, employment, labor, whistleblower, workers’ compensation, public-records, education, disability, leave, and wage laws. Certain sales-related communications by people primarily selling or leasing goods or services are also excluded. The law covers cases filed or claims asserted on or after its effective date.
Legal costs shift in speech lawsuits
A party winning a special dismissal request gets related court costs, reasonable lawyer fees, and reasonable litigation expenses. The opposing party must pay those costs. A responding party qualifies for an award only after winning against a request found frivolous or filed solely to delay. Dropping a claim without barring refiling does not prevent a ruling or cost recovery. Dropping it permanently counts as a win for the requesting party for fee awards. Award amounts depend on actual costs; the law sets no fixed payment.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kara Hope
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Carrie Rheingans
Democratic • House
Erin Byrnes
Democratic • House
Jason Hoskins
Democratic • House
Jason Morgan
Democratic • House
Jasper Martus
Democratic • House
Jennifer Conlin
Democratic • House
Jimmie Wilson
Democratic • House
Julie Brixie
Democratic • House
Julie Rogers
Democratic • House
Kelly Breen
Democratic • House
Matt Longjohn
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 12/18/2025
PASSED
Yes: 36 • No: 0 • Other: 1
House vote • 10/22/2025
passed; given immediate effect
Yes: 103 • No: 0 • Other: 7
Actions Timeline
assigned PA 52'25
12/31/2025Housefiled with Secretary of State 12/23/2025 11:56 AM
12/31/2025Houseapproved by the Governor 12/23/2025 10:26 AM
12/31/2025Housepresented to the Governor 12/22/2025 01:40 PM
12/23/2025Housebill ordered enrolled
12/18/2025Housereturned from Senate without amendment
12/18/2025HouseRETURNED TO HOUSE
12/18/2025SenatePASSED ROLL CALL # 347 YEAS 36 NAYS 0 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0
12/18/2025SenatePLACED ON ORDER OF THIRD READING
12/16/2025SenateREPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)
12/16/2025SenateREFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
12/11/2025SenateREPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 12/10/2025
12/11/2025SenateREFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, JUDICIARY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY
10/28/2025SenatePASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
10/28/2025Housetransmitted
10/22/2025Housepassed; given immediate effect Roll Call #262 Yeas 103 Nays 0 Excused 0 Not Voting 7
10/22/2025Houseread a third time
10/22/2025Houseplaced on third reading
10/21/2025Housesubstitute (H-1) adopted
10/21/2025Houseread a second time
10/21/2025Housereferred to second reading
4/16/2025Housereported with recommendation with substitute (H-1)
4/16/2025Housebill electronically reproduced 01/30/2025
2/4/2025Housereferred to Committee on Judiciary
1/30/2025Houseread a first time
1/30/2025House
Bill Text
Public Act
12/23/2025
As Passed by the Senate
12/18/2025
House Concurred
12/18/2025
As Passed by the House
10/22/2025
Introduced
1/30/2025
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