The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Michigan House Holds Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in Civil Contempt Over Subpoena Compliance
Last action · May 22, 2025: roll call Roll Call #128 Yeas 58 Nays 47 Excused 0 Not Voting 5Sponsors: Jay DeBoyer and 1 other
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What This Bill Does
The Michigan House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 117, holding Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the Department of State in for failing to fully comply with House Oversight Committee s by the May 22, 2025 deadline. The resolution directs the House Office of Legal Counsel to initiate legal action to enforce compliance.
Initiates formal legal proceedings between the legislative chamber and a statewide constitutional officer over document production and oversight powers, potentially involving state court intervention.
- Jocelyn Benson serves as the elected Democratic Secretary of State of Michigan. context
- The Michigan House Oversight Committee operates under standing rules granting it authority to issue subpoenas during legislative sessions. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
Held in civil contempt of the Michigan House of Representatives and faces authorized legal action regarding subpoena compliance.
Department of State
Subject to a civil contempt declaration and potential legal action by the House Office of Legal Counsel.
Michigan House of Representatives
Exercises legislative oversight and subpoena enforcement powers through the adoption of the resolution.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the civil contempt resolution?
What actions does the resolution authorize the House to take?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: signed.
Procedural history
4 actions- May 22, 2025Houseroll call Roll Call #128 Yeas 58 Nays 47 Excused 0 Not Voting 5
- May 22, 2025HouseFlooradopted
- May 22, 2025Houserule 71 suspended
- May 22, 2025HouseIntroducedintroduced by Representative Rep. Jay DeBoyer
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.mi.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy85Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment40Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz60Current news / social attention level
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