2007 House Bill 4627

Mandate “comparable worth” compensation

Introduced in the House

April 19, 2007

Introduced by Rep. Kathleen Law (D-23)

To establish a government “commission on pay equity” to “develop definitions, models, and guidelines for employers and employees on pay equity.” See also House Bill 4625, which would prohibit paying a person a wage or salary that is less than an amount established under a proposed statutory interpretation of comparable wages. The commission would include the directors of the Department of Civil Rights and the MEDC, and representatives from the Michigan Women's Commission, the National Organization of Women, and the Michigan Women's Studies Association, the AFL-CIO, the UAW, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and the Small Business Association.

Referred to the Committee on Labor

May 8, 2007

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Feb. 12, 2008

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that adds a representative from the Michigan Farm Bureau to the proposed commission.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 57 to 50 (details)

To establish a government “commission on pay equity” to “develop definitions, models, and guidelines for employers and employees on pay equity.” See also House Bill 4625, which would prohibit paying a person a wage or salary that is less than an amount established under a proposed statutory interpretation of comparable wages. Members of the commission would have to include representatives from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Michigan Women's Commission, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, The Farm Bureau, the AFL-CIO union, the United Auto Workers union, the Michigan Small Business Association, the National Organization for Women, and the Michigan Women's Studies Association.

Received in the Senate

Feb. 14, 2008

Referred to the Committee on Commerce and Tourism