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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION U May 21, 2026, Introduced by Reps.
SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION U A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state constitution of 1963, by amending section 5 of article VIII, to provide for gubernatorial appointment of the members of the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University.
Markkanen and Tate and referred to Committee on Government Operations.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Michigan, That the following amendment to the state constitution of 1963, to provide for gubernatorial appointment of the members of the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, is proposed, agreed to, and submitted to the people of the state:
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state constitution of 1963, by amending section 21 of article V and section 5 of article VIII, to modify the nominating process for the secretary of state and attorney general, to provide for gubernatorial appointment of the members of the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to limit the terms of university board members, and to establish STM H07246'26_HJRU_INTR_1 k6bosi certain eligibility requirements for membership on those university governing boards, including a requirement that the university boards be bipartisan.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the state of Michigan, That the following amendment to the state constitution of 1963, to modify the nominating process for the secretary of state and attorney general, to provide for gubernatorial appointment of the members of the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to limit the terms of university board members, and to establish certain eligibility requirements for membership on those university governing boards, including a requirement that the university boards be bipartisan, is proposed, agreed to, and submitted to the people of the state:
ARTICLE V Sec.
21.
(1) The governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general shall be elected for four-year terms at the general election in each alternate even-numbered year.
(2) The Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3), the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, and attorney general shall be nominated by party conventions in a manner prescribed by law.
In the general election one vote shall be cast jointly for the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor nominated by the same party.
(3) Beginning January 1, 2027, the secretary of state and attorney general shall be nominated by primary elections in the manner prescribed by law.
(4) Vacancies in the office of the secretary of state and STM H07246'26_HJRU_INTR_1 k6bosi 1 attorney general shall be filled by appointment by the governor.
(1) The regents of the University of Michigan and their successors in office shall constitute a body corporate known as the Regents of the University of Michigan;
(1) The regents of the University of Michigan and their successors in office shall constitute a body corporate known STM H07246'26 (H-2) nbjukp 1 as the Regents of the University of Michigan;
(3) Beginning December 31, 2026, the board of each institution includes nine members, with not more than five from the same political party.
(3) Beginning December 31, 2026, the board of each institution includes nine members, with four members from each of the major political parties, and with one member who does not affiliate with either of the major political parties and who is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governor.
Except as provided in subsections (4) and (5), the governor shall appoint by and with the advice and consent of the senate members for one full term of eight years.
The four members from each of the major political parties must be nominated by an individual affiliated with that major political party as described in subdivisions (a) to (e).
At least one STM H07246'26_HJRU_INTR_1 k6bosi 1 member of each board must be appointed from a list of three nominees provided by the institution's alumni association.
Except as provided in subsections (4), (5), (6), and (7), the remaining eight members on the board of each STM H07246'26 (H-2) nbjukp 1 institution shall serve one full term of office of eight years and be appointed by the governor from lists of nominees for each board provided as follows:
At least one member of the Board of Trustees of Michigan State University must have practical farming expertise.
(a) Three nominees provided by the speaker of the house of representatives.
Board members shall comply with state ethics laws.
(b) Three nominees provided by the house minority leader.
(4) If a vacancy occurs on a board, the governor shall appoint an individual for the remainder of the unexpired term by and with the advice and consent of the senate.
(c) Three nominees provided by the senate majority leader.
A member appointed to fill a vacancy that serves less than four full years is eligible for appointment to one full eight-year term.
(d) Three nominees provided by the senate minority leader.
(5) All of the following apply only to the first members appointed to each board after December 30, 2026:
(e) Three nominees provided by the chairperson of each of the major political parties.
(4) The eight members of each board first appointed from the lists of nominees provided by the speaker of the house of representatives, the house minority leader, the senate majority leader, the senate minority leader, and the chairpersons of each of the major political parties shall serve terms of office as provided in subsection (6), with each staggered term including one member from each major political party.
(5) If a vacancy occurs on a board, the governor shall appoint from lists of nominees as described in subsection (3) an individual from the same major political party as the member who created the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.
A member appointed to fill a vacancy who serves less than four full years is eligible for appointment to one full eight-year term.
(6) All of the following apply only to the first members appointed to each board after December 30, 2026:
(c) Three must be appointed for terms ending December 31, 2032.
(c) Two must be appointed for terms ending December 31, 2032.
(e) The governor with a term expiring on January 1, 2027 shall appoint one board member under subdivision (a), one under subdivision (b), one under subdivision (c), and one under subdivision (d).
STM H07246'26 (H-2) nbjukp 1 (7) The governor with a term expiring on January 1, 2027 shall appoint one board member under subsection (6)(a), one board member under subsection (6)(b), one board member under subsection (6)(c), and one board member under subsection (6)(d).
The governor with a term beginning on January 1, 2027 shall appoint the remaining 5 board members under subdivisions (a) to (d).
The governor with a term beginning on January 1, 2027 shall appoint the remaining four board members under subsection (6)(a) to (d), and shall appoint the board member who does not affiliate with either of the major political parties, as provided in subsection (3).
(8) The board members of each institution described in this section shall comply with all of the following:
(a) State ethics laws.
(b) State open meetings laws.
(c) State freedom of information laws.
(9) As used in this section, "major political parties" means the two political parties with the largest representation in the legislature.
Resolved further, That it is the intent of the legislature that when submitted to the people of the state at a special election to be held August 4, 2026, this amendment must be STM H07246'26_HJRU_INTR_1 k6bosi 1 presented with the following question:
Resolved further, That it is the intent of the legislature that when submitted to the people of the state at a special election to be held August 4, 2026, this amendment must be presented with the following question:
"A PROPOSAL TO REQUIRE NOMINATION OF SECRETARY OF STATE AND ATTORNEY GENERAL AT PRIMARY ELECTIONS AND CREATE NEW BIPARTISAN AND TERM-LIMITED GOVERNING BOARDS FOR UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, AND WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY.
"A PROPOSAL TO CREATE NEW GOVERNING BOARDS FOR UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, AND WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY.
- After 2026, require secretary of state and attorney general nomination at primary elections, not political party conventions.
- Create new term limited 9-member boards to replace current 8-member boards for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, bringing members under STM H07246'26 (H-2) nbjukp state ethics laws, state open meetings laws, and state freedom of information laws.
- Create new term limited 9-member boards to replace current 8-member boards for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, bringing members under state ethics laws.
- Have the current governor appoint 4 new board members for each university and the new governor elected on November 3, 2026 appoint the remaining board members.
- Prohibit more than 5 members per board from 1 political party.
- Require alumni association nomination of 1 member per board and 1 MSU board member with practical farming experience.
- Have current governor appoint 4 new board members for each university, new governor elected on November 3, 2026 appoint the remainder, with the appointments subject to senate advice and consent.
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