Incoming Leader Camilleri Pledges ‘Most Productive Session In MI History’

Article courtesy of MIRS News Service

Incoming Senate Majority Leader Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) pledged Thursday to pursue the most productive legislative session in Michigan history, saying the incoming Democratic trifecta could get more bills signed into law than in any previous two-year term.

Camilleri made the remarks after Senate Democrats selected him to lead their expanded 23-member majority next year. Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) was selected to be Senate Majority Floor Leader. 

“We want to be … the most productive legislative session in Michigan history, and that’s something that I think will require us to work a lot here in this building, and I think that we’ll have a chance to do that,” Camilleri said. “During the last trifecta (2023-24) we left over 240-something pieces of legislation on the table. We believe that we’ll get more bills signed into law during this two-year term than at any other time.” 

Camilleri’s oath to have a historically productive session comes after MIRS found that the average number of active session days in a year since 2019 – which was 73 days – was smaller than the average between 1947 and 1964 (85 days) when the Legislature was part-time and adjourned by June.

In 2026 so far, there have been 114 bills signed into law, and before that there were 74 for 2025, the fewest number of public acts produced by a regular session since the 1837 founding of the state.

 As for policy, he said there’s a very good chance that his prescription drug affordability board (PDAB) legislation – which would create a board to review and impose price caps on drugs made and sold in Michigan – will be a “centerpiece of our conversation.” 

He added that the Legislature should tackle the data center regulation bills that Senate Democrats introduced in June. 

The bills featured a ban on public officials signing nondisclosure agreements regarding data center projects, a 10-year permit for those using more than 550,000 gallons of water daily and mandating projects pay prevailing wages and host registered apprenticeships.

“We, again, were sent here with a mandate to lower the cost of living or rein in costs for our residents. We believe that the economy and affordability are the reason that we are in an historic 23-member Democratic majority caucus,” Camilleri said. 

He said the caucus will be centered around “economic issues,” but it’s not the only thing on their minds and, with a diverse group moving in next year, “We are able to multitask.” 

Camilleri was first elected to the Legislature in 2016, flipping a Republican House seat in the Downriver area by 323 votes. Since winning his Senate seat in 2022, Camilleri – a forceful door-knocker and fundraiser – has served as Michigan Senate Democrats’ campaign co-chair. 

He is expected to be Michigan’s first Latino and Maltese Senate leader, as well as the second youngest in the state’s history as a 34-year-old legislator. Additionally, he will be the first majority leader from Wayne County in more than 40 years. 

There was some interest from others, including outgoing Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), who decided in early March not to seek re-election, and Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), who instead stayed on the path of likely becoming a two-term appropriations chair, managing the state’s budget-making process. 

In June, all current Senate Democrats who are returning next year, as well as Reps. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) and Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), who won their own Senate races Tuesday night, co-hosted a leadership lunch for Camilleri, confirming their support behind him.

The majority floor leader race also was contested this fall between Hertel, the son of a previous House speaker, and Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint), whose father was a past lieutenant governor.

Hertel was selected among his peers after winning re-election in one of Michigan’s most competitive races, the 12th Senate District along the Lake Saint Clair shoreline. He defeated Republican challenger John Goldwater, a past minister, 53.5% to 46.5%. 

“I think we want to make sure that everybody’s voice is being heard. … We want to make sure with this diverse caucus that everybody’s ideas are on the table, that every voice is being heard and that we are being extremely productive,” Hertel said. “That’s the role of the floor leader, to make sure everything is moving in a smooth fashion, that the caucus is getting the information that they need.” 

Click here for more News & Resources.