At the beginning of the legislative session, bills were introduced in both the House and Senate that would make worksites smokefree. Some of the bills, like Representative Joan Bauer's (HB 4341), protects all Michigan workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Others, like Representative Lee Gonzales' (HB 4377), carves out some exemptions.

In the spring, the House Regulatory Reform Committee voted out HB 4377. The bill moved to the full House for consideration. In May, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 4377 by a vote of 73-31. This bill would make all workplaces in Michigan smokefree with the exception of casino gaming floors, cigar bars and tobacco retail shops. A vote on the clean bill (HB 4341) was not allowed!

The bill is now in the Senate awaiting consideration. It is crucial for us to keep the pressure on and let the Senate know that it is important for them to take up this legislation as soon as possible.  Click here to find out what you can do.

(1) Contact Senator Mike Bishop. As Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the Government Operations Committee (where HB 4377 currently sits), he plays a critical role in getting our bill to move. He can be reached by phone at: (517) 373-2417 or by email at: SenMBishop@senate.michigan.gov.

(2) Contact your Senator. Please visit: www.michigan.senate.gov to find your Senator's contact information.

(3) Contact Speaker of the House Andy Dillon.  As Speaker of the House, he too plays a crucial part in getting our bill to pass. Let him know that if the Senate is unwilling to take up our HB 4377, he should allow a vote on a bill with no exemptions (Representative Bauer's bill HB 4341). Let him know that you believe all Michigan workers deserve smokefree air. He can be reached by phone at: 517.373.0857 or by email at: andydillon@house.mi.gov.