LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Michigan House Oversight Committee voted Tuesday to issue five subpoenas to three state agencies as part of ongoing investigations into departmental practices and spending oversight.
The subpoenas include requests for documents and testimony from the Michigan Department of Attorney General, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Committee members say the materials are necessary to evaluate how agencies are carrying out their responsibilities and whether changes to state law or oversight procedures are warranted.
State Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Twp.), who chairs the committee, said the effort is grounded in the Legislature’s duty to monitor government operations. “Statutorily and constitutionally, the Legislature has a very clearly defined position of oversight of the executive branch,” DeBoyer said. “The people of the state of Michigan expect us to police ourselves.”
Two of the subpoenas are directed at the Attorney General’s office, asking to release documents related to a closed criminal investigation involving a high-ranking political official. Lawmakers said the documents are necessary to determine whether a conflict of interest affected the department’s decision not to pursue charges, and to evaluate whether new legislation may be needed to address such situations.
Another subpoena calls for DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel to testify before the committee on Sept. 9. Lawmakers say her appearance is needed following what they describe as inadequate answers from agency representatives on issues involving child welfare and public assistance program oversight.
State Rep. Parker Fairbairn (R-Richland Twp.) described the action as part of the committee’s effort to strengthen transparency.
“I think it’s important to get them coming in on the record and talking about what they’re doing,” Fairbairn said. “It hasn’t happened in a long time.”
The committee also voted to subpoena Department of Natural Resources (DNR) records related to the agency’s 2010 feral swine order and a 2024–25 pilot program to euthanize Canadian geese. Lawmakers say the documents are necessary to inform potential changes to wildlife and public health laws, and to scrutinize how the DNR allocates public funding.
Committee members said attempts were made to obtain information voluntarily before resorting to subpoenas. In Director Hertel’s case, lawmakers said she declined prior invitations to appear and did not offer alternative dates.
While some Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns that the subpoenas could be seen as politically motivated, Republicans on the committee maintain the goal is accountability. The subpoenas were approved unanimously in the bipartisan committee.
“These are not meant to be adversarial,” DeBoyer said. “It’s meant to be thorough and transparent.”
The Oversight Committee is expected to continue hearings on the subpoena topics in the coming weeks.
