2026 House Resolution 284

Whereas, The Michigan Legislature has the power to enact laws regarding the general welfare and to appropriate state funds. Article IV, Section 51 of the Michigan Constitution provides, in relevant part: “The public health and general welfare of the people of the state are hereby declared to be matters of primary public concern.” The Michigan Constitution also prohibits money from being paid out of the state treasury “except in pursuance of appropriations made by law,” under Article IX, Section 17, making the Legislature responsible for ensuring that public funds are allocated to just causes. The importance of transparency in state finance is further underscored by Article IX, Section 23 of the Michigan Constitution, which provides, in relevant part, that “[a]ll financial records, accountings, audit reports and other reports of public moneys shall be public records and open to inspection”; and

Whereas, The Interlochen Center for the Arts, located in northwest Michigan, offers arts education to children, youth, and adults through summer camps, continuing education, and a prestigious arts high school and boarding institution. Students at Interlochen study music, theatre, dance, visual arts, film and new media, creative writing, and interdisciplinary arts within a global community. The alumni of Interlochen constitute a community of over 110,000 artists and arts supporters from 110 countries and national territories. Parents from Michigan, across the nation, and around the globe choose to send their children to Interlochen, believing that their children will receive an exceptional education in the arts that will aid them in achieving their aspirations; and

Whereas, Documents released by the United States Department of Justice reveal a troubling connection between Interlochen and convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. This connection dates back to the 1990s, when Epstein became a significant benefactor, contributing over $400,000 to the Center. A cabin funded by Epstein was even named in his honor, and Epstein and Maxwell reportedly spent time there and had access to young artists; and

Whereas, It is alleged that Interlochen served as the venue where Epstein and Maxwell encountered one of their first-known victims, a 13-year-old girl attending the school’s summer arts camp. She later testified in Maxwell’s 2021 criminal trial. In a lawsuit, she alleges that she was groomed and sexually abused by both individuals over the next few years, following her time at Interlochen; and

Whereas, These are not the only allegations of a sexual abuser having access to children at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Several Interlochen alumni have recently alleged that former faculty members engaged in sexual misconduct in the 1960s and 1970s; and

Whereas, The House of Representatives has the inherent power to investigate any subject upon which it might legislate. To determine whether further legislation is needed to protect “[t]he public health and general welfare of the people of the state” and, in particular, to ensure the safety of our children, the House of Representatives must investigate these allegations concerning the Interlochen Center for the Arts, Jeffrey Epstein, and other alleged perpetrators of sexual abuse. Furthermore, the Interlochen Center for the Arts has received funds from the state in the past, and it could receive additional state funds in the future. The Legislature must be informed about how the Interlochen Center for the Arts uses state funds, to ensure that funds appropriated by the Legislature are not used to further a criminal cause. Additionally, a state agency may have records of complaints related to the Interlochen Center for the Arts and Jeffrey Epstein, or records of requests for an investigation. The Legislature has the power to oversee state agencies and determine whether any such complaints or requests were handled properly. It is crucial for the House of Representatives to learn about the extent of Interlochen’s awareness and their response to this situation, and to evaluate how Interlochen intends to protect children from sexual predators in the future; and

Whereas, Access to information is essential in conducting an investigation. Pursuant to MCL 4.541, a select committee is authorized to . . . . . . subpoena and have produced before [it], or inspect the records and files of any state department, board, institution or agency; and it shall be the duty of any state department, board, institution or agency to produce before the committee as required by the subpoena, or permit the members of [the] committee to inspect its records and files. Such records and files shall be subpoenaed, examined or used only in connection with the jurisdiction and purposes for which the committee was created. Committees may be granted further subpoena powers by resolution. MCL 4.101 provides: Committees and commissions of or appointed by the legislature may by resolution of the legislature be authorized to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and/or to examine the books and records of any persons, partnerships or corporations involved in a matter properly before any of such committees or commissions. Any witness who neglects or refuses to obey a subpoena of any of such committees or commissions, or who refuses to be sworn or testify, or who fails on demand to produce any papers, books or documents touching any matter under investigation, or any witness or attorney who is guilty of any contempt while in attendance at any hearing before any of such committees or commissions, may be punished as for contempt of the legislature. ; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That a select committee to examine the Interlochen Center for the Arts and its relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is created. The select committee shall consist of six members of the House of Representatives, with three members from the House Republican Caucus selected by the Speaker of the House and three members from the House Democratic Caucus selected by the House Minority Leader. The Speaker of the House and the House Minority Leader shall designate the chair and co-chair of the committee; and be it further

Resolved, That, pursuant to MCL 4.541, the select committee may subpoena and have produced before it “the records and files of any state department, board, institution or agency” in connection with its jurisdiction; and be it further

Resolved, That, pursuant to MCL 4.101, the select committee is hereby granted the power to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, and examine the books and records of any persons, partnerships or corporations involved in a matter properly before the select committee; and be it further

Resolved, That the select committee shall examine the Interlochen Center for the Arts and its relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. The select committee shall report to the House of Representatives a summary of its findings and conclusions, as well as any recommendations on further appropriate actions the Legislature may take.