SB 285 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Family law: marriage and divorce; persons authorized to solemnize marriage; modify. Amends sec. 7 of 1846 RS 83 (MCL 551.7). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0286'25

SB 285 amends Michigan law to allow state legislators to officiate weddings, adding them to the list of authorized marriage officiants alongside judges, mayors, and religious ministers. This change directly affects couples marrying in Michigan by expanding their options for who can perform the ceremony. The bill does not alter existing fee structures for mayors or county clerks, which remain tied to local government budgets. The change requires approval of companion bill SB 286 to take effect.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced May 7, 2025 Last action Jun 10, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → As Passed by the Senate · 6 edits · Jun 10, 2025

MODERATE

This bill expands the list of officials authorized to solemnize marriages in Michigan by adding federal judges, mayors, and state legislators. It also updates the rules for township supervisors and county clerks to clarify their jurisdiction and authority.

Scope change

The scope of who can legally perform a marriage ceremony was broadened to include federal judges, mayors, and state legislators, while clarifying the authority of township supervisors and county clerks.

ELIGIBILITY

Added federal court judges as authorized officiants for marriages anywhere in the state.

Added mayors as authorized officiants for marriages within their respective counties.

Added state legislators as authorized officiants for marriages.

Modified the authority of municipal judges to explicitly include townships over which their courts have jurisdiction.

Modified the authority of county clerks and designated employees to clarify their ability to officiate in other counties with written authorization.

Modified the authority of township supervisors to explicitly limit their officiating power to the county where the township is located.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 10, 2025

How they voted

22–16

Passed

Total votes 38

Jun 10, 2025

D Democratic19

19 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

3 Yea 16 Nay

84% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 10, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Government Operations

lower

Jun 10, 2025

Introduced

received on 06/10/2025

lower

Jun 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED ROLL CALL # 162 YEAS 22 NAYS 15 EXCUSED 0 NOT VOTING 0

upper

Jun 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)

upper

Jun 4, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

upper

Jun 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 6/3/2025

upper

May 7, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

upper

May 7, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VERONICA KLINEFELT

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors