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)
Became Law
Civil procedure: civil actions
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Faster path to dismiss speech suits
If you are served with a covered claim, you can file a special motion within 60 days. Filing the motion pauses other steps between the parties, including discovery and hearings. The court may allow limited discovery only for specific facts needed to decide the motion. The court must hold a hearing within 60 days, or within 60 days after any discovery order. The judge decides based on the pleadings and documents like affidavits and depositions. If the court denies the motion, you can appeal as of right within 21 days.
Early dismissal and fee awards
The court must dismiss with prejudice if the claim is eligible, no exclusion applies, and the plaintiff cannot make a prima facie case. Dismissal also applies when the moving party shows no valid claim or no genuine issue of material fact and is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. If you win the motion, the other side must pay your court costs, reasonable attorney fees, and related expenses. If the other side wins and the motion is frivolous or meant to delay, they can recover those fees. A voluntary dismissal without prejudice does not block a ruling or fee request; a dismissal with prejudice counts as a win for fees.
Stronger shield for public speech
The law protects people who speak in government proceedings or on public issues. Cases based on those communications qualify for special, faster review and possible early dismissal. It does not cover suits tied to selling or leasing goods or services, or claims under laws like the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, the ADEA, the FMLA, FOIA, or the Fair Labor Standards Act. Courts must read the law broadly to favor free speech and public participation.
Applies only to new cases
This law applies to civil actions filed or causes of action asserted on or after its effective date. Beginning on the 91st day after final adjournment of the 2025 Regular Session, new filings are covered. Lawsuits filed before the effective date keep the old rules.
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
12/18/2025HousePASSED 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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