Elections: voters; language assistance for elections act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5969’26, HB 5970’26
Key claim: Michigan HB 5971 would create a new Language Assistance for Elections Act to provide language assistance to voters, tie-barred with companion bills HB 5969 and HB 5970.
Abstract
(HB5971 · 103rd Legislature) Elections: voters; language assistance for elections act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5969’26, HB 5970’26 Sponsor: Rep. Veronica Paiz (D) + 35 co-sponsors In committee: H Government Operations Latest action (2026-05-14): Bill Electronically Reproduced 05/13/2026
Why this matters
HB 5971 mirrors SB 0963 in the House, signaling a bicameral push to establish a standalone Language Assistance for Elections Act in Michigan. Because it is tie-barred to HB 5969 and HB 5970, none of the three would take effect unless all pass — the same all-or-nothing structure used by the Senate companion package. For voters and clerks, the practical impact depends on downstream definitions of covered languages and clerk duties, which are not yet specified in the introduced text.