House and Senate Make a Deal, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Will Happen

Article courtesy of MIRS for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog newsletter

In a cross-chamber deal ahead of spring break, House Republicans moved a local development bill Thursday by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) with the expectation that the Senate will return the favor next Tuesday by taking up by Rep. Rylee Linting (R-Wyandotte)’s physician licensure legislation before a looming deadline.

This deal is especially notable as both represent swing seats less than seven months from the November election. Linting will face a rematch against former Rep. Jaime Churches, who she defeated in 2024 to earn the seat.

“We did it again,” said Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township). “That’s why people call me the best dealmaker here in Lansing, and when you have Rep. Linting working under legislation, you’re going to get over the finish line.”

Unless legislative action is taken, Michigan will lose its place in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) on March 28—a multi-state agreement that allows thousands of physicians to more easily obtain licenses to practice across state lines. Hall said he has confidence that Governor Gretchen Whitmer will sign the bill before Michigan loses its spot.

To help keep the contact in place, HB 5455 would create an act to reinstate Michigan’s position.

“We had to make sure that we stayed in this compact that we have been in since 2017 with great success,” Linting said, thanking Hall for making this a priority and the Senate for putting the people before political games. “It would be devastating if we let political games get in the way of supporting communities all across Michigan.”

As part of the apparent agreement, the House also passed SB 581 sponsored by Hertel, aimed at serving Harsens Island in the 12th Senate district, an island located where the St. Clair River meets Lake St. Clair, accessible by ferry.

Currently, local governments are limited to having only one Downtown Development Authority. The bill allows Clay Township — which Harsens Island is a part of — to have an additional Downtown Development Authority just for the island. It permits any local government to have an extra DDA if they’re divided by a body of water.

The two bills are tie-barred, meaning SB 581 cannot take effect unless the Legislature also passes HB 5455.

Hall gave credit to Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) as she “stood up and figured out a way to get it done.”

In reaction to Thursday’s House passage of his bill, Sen. Hertel says it’s always a good day when good policy passes.

Hall said that he was hoping to get a deal on the Selfridge National Guard Base supplemental, but ultimately he said that the Senate Democrats are “dragging their feet” on it and “jeopardizing the mission.”

Senate Adjourns At 2:25 p.m.

The Senate adjourned Thursday around 2:25 p.m., with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids)’ office expressing that renewing Michigan’s membership in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) – which expires in nine days – is a “very big priority for her.”

“It’s very important that this gets done. There’s been a lot of unnecessary pressure put on physicians, their teams and their patients because of this. This could have been done a long time ago,” said Rosie Jones, Brinks’ press secretary. “We’re all kind of scratching our heads as to why the Speaker and House Republicans have sat on this and made this into the stressful situation that it’s become.”

Michigan entered the IMLC in late 2018, through a law signed by Gov. Rick Snyder. Including Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pennsylvania, the agreement among participating states grants physicians expedited licensure to travel and practice outside their home states.

In the post-pandemic world, the compact has played a significant role in telehealth, permitting physicians to serve patients virtually, although they might not reside in the same state as them. For the Detroit Medical Center, the compact has reportedly served its patient base’s psychiatry needs, and its served Upper Peninsula residents to receive rural care without needing to travel to Minnesota or Wisconsin.

There are two bills that will keep Michigan from exiting the compact on March 28. There is Sen. Roger Hauck (R-Union Twp.)’s SB 303 that the Senate passed in May of last year, and Rep. Rylee Linting (R-Wyandotte)’s HB 5455 that the House passed early last month.

Linting represents one of the most competitive legislative districts, and she flipped her Downriver-based seat from blue to red – defeating then-incumbent Rep. Jaime Churches by 2,305 votes – in 2024. Some around town are speculating that House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) wants to deliver a win and public act for Linting, and the Democratic-controlled Senate is resisting.

“Well, I would respond that the initial bill we passed 10 months ago was a Republican bill,” Jones said when asked if that’s the reason the Senate didn’t approve HB 5455 Thursday.

The House begins its spring break next week, with no session scheduled until April 14. Meanwhile, the Senate is anticipated to have an active session for at least two days next week, going on its spring break from March 31 through April 9.

“We are in session next week. They are not, and so there’s still work to be done there, but there are multiple pathways that we can accomplish this,” Jones said.

Asked Wednesday about the potential of passing a supplemental spending plan that could include $152 million for Selfridge, Brinks said, “A lot of conversations about that. Nothing is conclusive at this point.”

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