General Information

Michigan’s legislative power is vested in a bicameral (two-chamber) body, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Legislative districts are drawn on the basis of population figures obtained through the federal decennial census.

As the upper chamber of the Michigan Legislature, the Michigan Senate is composed of 38 members, each representing districts of approximately 247,000 to 273,000 residents. Senators are elected at the same time as the Michigan Governor and serve four-year terms concurrent with the Governor's term of office. Terms for senators begin on January 1 following the November general election.

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber and includes 110 members, each representing districts with about 85,000 to 95,000 residents. Representatives are elected in even-numbered years to serve two-year terms, with their terms starting on January 1 of odd years.

The Michigan Legislature fulfills a wide range of responsibilities, including considering new laws; appropriating funds from money collected for the support of public institutions and the administration of the affairs of state government; providing oversight of the executive branch of government through the administrative rules and audit processes, committees, and the budget process; giving advice and consent, through the Senate, on gubernatorial appointments; and working with Michigan residents. Additionally, the Legislature may consider initiative petitions; conduct business through resolutions; propose amendments to the State Constitution; and recommend and consider proposed amendments to the Constitution of the United States. However, the majority of the Legislature's work entails lawmaking. Through a process defined by the state constitution, statute, and legislative rules, the Legislature considers thousands of bills (proposed laws) and resolutions during each two-year session.