William Babbitt, a ninth-grade student from Ann Arbor's Skyline High School, spent the past several days debating bills and passing legislation in Lansing.

"I was a representative, and sat in the House chamber," Babbitt said. "We debated and voted using parliamentary procedure, so we had the ayes and nays, and for session we use majority voting."

Babbit was one of 13 Ann Arbor area students who attended the 62nd Annual Michigan Youth in Government legislative conferences in Lansing from March 3-7. The group was part of a youth and teen class at the Ann Arbor YMCA called Youth in Government.

"Before they go, they are taught and reminded the processes of government," said Josh Humbel, youth and teen director at the YMCA. "They actually write bills, develop them and submit them. When they get there, they use the parliamentary procedure. They learn how to talk like senators, and have the opportunity to pass and fail bills in a mock legislative session."

They group, with other students from around the state, discuss their bills just like real senators.

"It's pretty in depth," Humbel said. "Our kids are participating as senators and representatives and a committee chair as well. Committee chairs run some of the sessions, which is usually a group of 20. One of our kids was the actual chair of one of those committees."

Humbel said they don't censor the bills the students write. Instead, they focus on correct bill writing format.

"What we make sure they do is write an intelligent bill about their topic," Humbel said.

One of the bills was to restrict the use of cell phones while driving. One was to legalize the use of marijuana for both recreational and legal purposes.

"Kids will write about some pretty intense subjects, such as abortion," said Humbel. "Depending on where the kids are from, some of these debates can get pretty heated."

Babbitt was in a session that worked mainly on getting a gay marriage bill passed.

"It was a hot topic, and got pretty controversial," Babbit said. "We did end up getting that particular bill passed."

Other students wanted to address bad mortgages, Humbel said.

"They wrote a bill that required that the down payment of a house be 20 percent of its listed value," Humbel said. "The idea was to limit people from buying a house when they couldn't afford it. That obviously got opposition and some support. But when they get up there they have the opportunity to amend them just like in real life."

Babbitt has always been interested in government and hopes to attend the class again next year.

"If I go into government, I think I would like to become a representative, and I'm sure by the time I am, if I am, there will be topics that are fairly important," Babbitt said.

This year's class had 15 students from Pioneer, Greenhills, Community and Skyline schools, and 13 of them went to the conference. 

Pamela Gossiaux is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.