News

The 101^st legislature convened earlier this month and committee assignments were announced last week. While every legislative committee sees proposals that could affect CPAs, the two committees that most directly impact the profession are Regulatory Reform and Tax Policy. Both committees and their leadership are tasked with determining which legislation will receive a hearing or a vote before being sent to the House floor for consideration. Building strong relationships with these representatives and fostering an understanding of our profession, its issues, and how decisions made in Lansing impact CPAs is of utmost priority and importance to the MICPA.

The Regulatory Reform Committee is charged with holding hearings and voting on legislation that impacts licensed professions in our state. This means any bill seeking to deregulate the profession or change licensure requirements in Michigan would be sent to this committee for consideration. Representative Roger Hauck (R – Mount Pleasant) has been given the chairmanship for the current session. Although Representative Hauck did not serve on this committee in the last legislative session, he did serve on Regulatory Reform in 2018 – 2019. Representative Michele Hoitenga (R – Manton) will serve as the Vice Chair and Representative Kevin Hertel (D – Saint Clair Shores) will serve as the Minority Vice Chair. Also serving on the committee are Representatives:

• Joe Bellino (R - Monroe)
• TC Clements (R - Temperance)
• John Damoose (R – Harbor Springs)
• Matt Hall (R – Emmett Township)
• Mike Mueller (R – Linden)
• Pat Outman (R – Six Lakes)
• Pauline Wendzel (R – Watervliet)
• Alex Garza (D – Taylor)
• Jewell Jones (D – Inkster)
• Richard Steeland (D – Roseville)
• Angela Witwer (D – Delta Township)
• Tenisha Yancey (D – Harper Woods)

The Tax Policy Committee reviews any proposed changes to the tax structure in our state before they are sent to the House floor. For the current legislative session, Representative Matt Hall (R – Emmett Township) will chair the committee. Representative Hall sat on this committee during the last session and has moved up to a leadership position for the 2021 – 2022 legislative session. The freshman legislator Representative Mark Tisdel (R – Rochester Hills) will serve as Vice Chair with Representative Tenisha Yancey (D – Harper Woods) serving as Minority Vice Chair. Also serving on the committee are Representatives:

• Andrew Beeler (R – Fort Gratiot)
• Julie Calley (R – Portland)
• Diana Farrington (R – Utica)
• Steve Johnson (R – Wayland)
• Luke Meerman (R – Coopersville)
• Jack O’Malley (R – Lake Ann)
• Pat Outman (R – Six Lakes)
• Julie Brixie (D – Okemos)
• Mary Cavanagh (D – Redford Township)
• Jim Ellison (D – Royal Oak)
• Padma Kuppa (D – Troy)
• Cynthia Neeley (D – Flint)

The MICPA has already begun fostering relationships and highlighting the profession, particularly to the leadership of each committee, to ensure that CPAs are well positioned for their voices to be heard when legislation impacting you, your organization or clients is moving through the legislative process.  

If you have a relationship with an elected official or would like to be involved in our advocacy efforts please reach out to Rachel Reardon at rreardon@micpa.org.