The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Zachary W. during the 2007-2008 League.
Legislative Session and Committee Hearing
Recently while in Lansing, I had the opportunity to view two important facets of state lawmaking: a legislative session and a committee hearing. Slightly, to my dismay, it wasn't quite like the movies portray it.
I arrived in the Senate chambers in the middle of the morning and stayed there for close to an hour. As I sat down, Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Cropsey stood up to honor the three recipients of the Frank M. Fitzgerald Award.
The Fitzgerald Awards are given to legislative interns who show exceptional talent for their work. The three honorees this year were Jenell Hierholzer, Paul Stewart, and Quinn Harr. Having attended the awards ceremony beforehand, it was great to be able to see these individuals honored for their efforts.
After the congratulations were completed, the Senate got down to business. The issue at hand, known as Blue Cross/ Blue Shield Reform, was debated for several minutes. I learned later that this legislation was one of the biggest healthcare bills of the decade. Sponsored by the Senate Republicans, the bill would amend House Bills 5282 and 5283 both of which were passed in October 2007.
The bill would increase consumer protections by making it harder to raise rates when people get sick. It will expand coverage by shortening exclusion periods, improve the rate-setting process, and establish a study to determine need for a high-risk pool. As well, it will strengthen oversight of Blue Cross/Blue Shield's mission and reserves.
After hearing debate from both sides, a vote was taken. The two parts of the legislation were both passed with 23 yea votes, 13 nay votes, and one abstention.
Immediately afterward, I went across the street to the Senate Energy Policy and Public Utilities Committee meeting. Committee Chair Sen. Bruce Patterson is an entertaining individual, and was in high form that day. The issue at hand involved a package of bills to revise the state's energy regulations and require adoption of renewable power and energy efficiency. The committee concluded that as a whole, the package will require at least some more clarification in terms and policies before being considered for passage.
The German leader Otto von Bismark once observed that "Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made." Ignoring this sage advice allowed me to have a very pleasant and educational experience at our State's Capitol. Learning exactly how an idea becomes a bill and then becomes a law is important knowledge to any citizen.
