Michigan Legislature Extends Emergency Declaration Through April 30 and Announces Bipartisan Task Force To Recommend Reopening Some Businesses

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The Michigan Legislature voted today, April 7, 2020, to pass a resolution extending Governor Whitmer’s state of emergency declaration through April 30, 2020.

Governor Whitmer had sought a 70-day extension to the state of emergency declaration that she first declared on March 10.  Her requested extension would have resulted in a state of emergency extending into June.

Instead, the Legislature passed a 23-day extension.  Members of both houses met in person to consider the Governor’s extension request.

Michigan’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order, which the Governor ordered using her emergency powers, is set to expire on April 13.  Governor Whitmer said today that she intends to extend the “Stay, Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order in the coming days. The Governor gave no indication whether she would modify the Executive Order or keep it in place as is.

After passing the resolution to extend the state of emergency declaration, the Michigan Senate announced the formation of a bipartisan task force that will recommend guidelines for allowing some Michigan businesses to reopen.  The task force will focus first on businesses that can resume operations while keeping their employees safe.  The task force plans to make recommendations to Governor Whitmer by April 17.