Photo of Jim Runestad
R Michigan Senate · District 23

Sen. Jim Runestad

Compare
Total votes
1,316
all sessions
Attendance
88%
156 missed
Lower than 95% of chamber peers
With party
88%
of cast votes
Lower than 95% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
7%
crosses aisle rarely
Higher than 92% of chamber peers
Sponsored
178
bills & resolutions
Lower than 77% of chamber peers
Committees
3
assignments
178 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
178
Primary
45
Co-sponsor
133
This page
178
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Primary SB 1131
In committee · Michigan Senate · Lead sponsor
Law enforcement: other; guidelines for use of registration plate reader systems; provide for. Creates new act.

Maddy summaryMichigan Senate Bill 1131 establishes strict guidelines for state and local government agencies using automatic license plate reader systems, limiting their use to specific purposes such as identifying stolen vehicles, checking for outstanding warrants, or managing parking and tolls. The bill prohibits the retention of captured data except when it serves as evidence in an active investigation or is preserved under a legal request, requiring automatic deletion after a set period if no further action is taken. Agencies must adopt public privacy policies, implement security measures to protect data from unauthorized access, and submit quarterly reports detailing their system usage and compliance with anti-discrimination standards for fine collection. Additionally, the legislation creates a private right of action allowing individuals to sue for damages and attorney fees if their data is mishandled, while generally excluding captured plate data from public disclosure under freedom of information laws unless the vehicle owner consents.

In committee Jul 29, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor SB 1114
In committee · Michigan Senate · Co-sponsor
Probate: guardians and conservators; licensing of guardians; provide for. Amends title & secs. 5106, 5313 & 5409 of 1998 PA 386 (MCL 700.5106 et seq.) & adds secs. 5106a & 5106b.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a mandatory licensing system for professional guardians and conservators in Michigan, requiring them to be licensed by the state department before they can be appointed by a court. To obtain a license, applicants must meet specific criteria including being at least 21 years old, passing a background check, having no history of fraud or abuse, and successfully completing a national certification exam. The legislation also mandates that employees of licensed guardians and conservators must be licensed to make critical decisions regarding the care of the individuals they serve. Additionally, the bill requires professional guardians to file a bond, maintain a regular visitation schedule, and disclose any outside compensation received for their services. These changes aim to standardize qualifications and oversight for individuals managing the affairs of those under legal incapacity.

In committee Jul 15, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary SB 1088
In committee · Michigan Senate · Lead sponsor
Human services: food assistance; certain data of individuals who receive SNAP benefits; require to be shared with certain governmental agencies. Amends 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.1 - 400.119b) by adding sec. 10i.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan's human services department to share specific data about individuals receiving SNAP benefits with federal agencies and a state task force focused on eliminating fraud. The shared information includes benefit allotment amounts and personal identity details to help prevent duplicate accounts and fraud involving deceased individuals. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department submit quarterly reports to the legislature detailing the number of flagged duplicate accounts, improper payments recovered, and blocked out-of-state transactions. These measures aim to improve the accuracy of benefit distribution and ensure that taxpayer funds are not misused.

In committee Jul 2, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor SJR K
In committee · Michigan Senate · Co-sponsor
State management: other; use of autopen to sign bills, executive orders, or clemency documents; prohibit. Amends sec. 14, art. V & adds sec. 31 to art. V of the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to ban the governor, lieutenant governor, and department directors from using autopen devices to sign specific official documents. The key provision explicitly prohibits the use of autopens for bills, executive orders, and clemency documents such as reprieves, commutations, and pardons. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, this change would require these officials to sign these documents by hand rather than electronically or via stamp. The measure aims to ensure personal authentication of critical legal and executive actions by removing automated signing options.

In committee Jul 1, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SB 1075
In committee · Michigan Senate · Co-sponsor
Food: other; sale of eggs by consignment through licensed retail food establishments; provide for. Amends sec. 7114 of 2000 PA 92 (MCL 289.7114).

Maddy summarySB 1075 amends Michigan's food law to allow licensed retail food establishments to sell shell eggs through a consignment arrangement, provided the eggs come from producers with fewer than 3,000 hens and are sold directly to the store. Under this new provision, the eggs must be kept separate from other inventory, labeled with the specific farm name and contact details, and sold only in clean containers that do not feature third-party brand names. The bill also clarifies that these consignment eggs cannot be sold online or by mail order and must be packaged with a label stating they were not inspected by the state department. This legislation primarily affects small-scale egg producers and licensed grocery stores or markets that wish to offer farm-fresh eggs without going through a traditional distributor.

In committee Jun 30, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SCR 13
Passed · Michigan Senate · Co-sponsor
A concurrent resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for R. Robert Geake, former member of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a memorial resolution honoring the life and public service of R. Robert Geake, a former Michigan legislator who served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The text details his extensive career, including his legislative work on committees focused on education, mental health, and children's welfare, as well as his later roles as an investigator and chair of the Office of the Children's Ombudsman and the Legislative Retirement System Board. The resolution formally expresses the Legislature's tribute to his dedication and instructs that copies of the document be sent to his family.

Passed Jun 25, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary SB 1078
In committee · Michigan Senate · Lead sponsor
Public utilities: other; certain money spent by electric or natural gas utilities; require to be reported to the public service commission. Amends 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.1 - 460.11) by adding sec. 6bb.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric and natural gas utilities in Michigan to annually report specific financial details to the Public Service Commission. The report must include contributions made to political action committees, political parties, and lobbying organizations, as well as any donations to specific tax-exempt groups. Utilities must also disclose spending by their parent companies or affiliates and make these reports publicly available on the commission's website. The legislation aims to increase transparency regarding how utility companies spend money on political and advocacy activities.

In committee Jun 25, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor SB 728
In committee · Michigan Senate · Co-sponsor
Liquor: other; consumption of alcoholic liquor purchased from licensed premises within airport terminals in unlicensed areas of airport terminals; provide for. Amends sec. 507 of 1998 PA 58 (MCL 436.1507).

Maddy summarySB 728 allows passengers to consume alcoholic beverages purchased from licensed vendors anywhere within airport terminal complexes (not just designated areas), directly affecting travelers at Michigan airports served by commercial airlines. The bill amends Michigan's liquor code to permit consumption throughout the terminal complex, subject to approval by the airport's governing body. Key provisions include expanding where alcohol can be consumed without restriction to specific licensed areas, while maintaining that airport licenses for alcohol sales are non-transferable. This policy change applies specifically to publicly owned airports with scheduled commercial flights.

In committee Jun 18, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor SR 130
In committee · Michigan Senate · Co-sponsor
A resolution calling on the United States Department of Justice to investigate the recent deaths at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate recent inmate deaths at Michigan's Huron Valley Correctional Facility. The bill highlights concerns about unsafe conditions, including toxic mold exposure and high staff vacancy rates, which lawmakers believe may have contributed to the fatalities of two inmates in May 2026. By requesting a federal inquiry, the resolution seeks to ensure that the deaths are thoroughly examined and that constitutional rights are protected within the state's correctional system. Copies of the request are to be sent to the Acting Attorney General for action.

In committee Jun 17, 2026 1 co-sponsor
Primary SB 1031
In committee · Michigan Senate · Lead sponsor
Public utilities: rates; use of actual cost for setting utility rates; require. Amends sec. 6a of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.6a).

Maddy summarySB 1031 requires Michigan public utilities to use actual historical costs rather than projected future costs when the Public Service Commission sets electricity, gas, or steam rates. The bill mandates that the commission must review rate applications within 30 days and ensures customers receive proper notice and a hearing before any rate increases are approved. Additionally, it introduces a process for gas utilities to request immediate partial rate relief and establishes specific rules for refunding customers if proposed rates are later reduced. These changes aim to make the rate-setting process more transparent and grounded in verified past expenses instead of estimates.

In committee Jun 10, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Showing 1 to 10 of 178 bills
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