MI HB5499

Each house of the legislature may commission its sergeant at arms and one or more assistant sergeants at arms as police officers with full police powers under Michigan law.

Commissioned sergeants at arms can enforce legislative house rules and state laws within the capitol building, capitol grounds, legislative office buildings, session/hearing locations, parking areas, and adjacent areas.

Authority to exercise police powers at session/hearing locations is limited to times when the officer is actively performing duties as sergeant at arms under house rules.

Senate and House leadership may delegate the authority to commission sergeants at arms to other officers or employees pursuant to their respective chamber rules.

Sergeants at arms commissioned as police officers must comply with training and licensure requirements under the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards Act (1965 PA 203).

Designees must report at least once per legislative session to relevant standing committees on sergeant at arms activities, security, and decorum in their respective chambers.