Great Lakes Wire

Michigan House Republicans announced that State Representative Noah Arbit expressed support for Representative Mark Tisdel's bill to limit cell phone use in schools but ultimately voted against it. This contributed to the bill's failure in a 53–45 vote, with no Democratic support, according to a post on X.

According to Bridge Michigan, state lawmakers have debated multiple proposals in recent years aimed at restricting or banning student cell phone use in classrooms. These discussions cite concerns over distraction and bullying. National trends indicate a growing number of school districts implementing restrictions, with educators arguing that cell phone policies are necessary to maintain focus and safety. In Michigan, the issue gained traction following high-profile incidents involving misuse of mobile devices in schools, leading to renewed legislative attention.

Bridge Michigan reports that the House vote on Tisdel’s bill failed with 53 lawmakers voting in favor, 45 against, and 12 not voting. The Michigan House requires at least 56 votes for a bill to pass, meaning the measure fell three votes short. The public roll call showed zero Democratic votes in favor, despite some bipartisan discussion in committee.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Governor Gretchen Whitmer addressed lawmakers during her 2025 State of the State speech, urging passage of a bipartisan bill to limit cell phone use in schools. She cited research indicating that cell phones in classrooms can negatively impact academic performance and student well-being. The failure of the bill comes despite the governor’s public request for legislative action.

As described by the official Michigan House Republicans website, this group is the organized caucus of Republican representatives in the Michigan House. They work to advance legislative priorities and represent their constituents statewide. The caucus focuses on issues such as education reform, economic development, and public safety while collaborating with party leadership to guide legislative efforts. The group maintains an active presence on social media platforms like X, where official statements and legislative updates are regularly posted.