Michigan Senate Bill 1137 comprehensively revises state civil procedure laws to expand protections for individuals with consumer debts by increasing the value of property exempt from seizure, such as raising the homestead exemption to $125,000 and the household goods exemption to $5,000. The bill establishes a new cap on wage garnishment, limiting creditors to seizing only 15% of an individual's weekly earnings or the amount exceeding 35 times the minimum wage, whichever is less. It also introduces specific procedural safeguards, including requirements for financial institutions to identify and protect exempt funds in deposit accounts and mandates that courts provide debtors with clear notices about their rights before property can be seized. Additionally, the legislation creates a mechanism for periodic inflation adjustments to these exemption amounts and restricts the state from intercepting tax refunds to satisfy consumer debts when the refund includes specific earned income tax credits.
Michigan's SB 1127 creates the Community Housing Stability Fund within the state housing development authority, primarily funded by fines collected from business corporations and limited liability companies. The fund is dedicated to developing and coordinating resources to meet the housing needs of low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income households. Key provisions require a biennial allocation plan that distributes money based on regional poverty levels, mandates that at least 30% of funds target extremely low-income groups including those experiencing homelessness, and requires assisted projects to set aside at least 20% of units for households earning no more than 60% of the area median income. The authority must hold public hearings before finalizing allocation plans and submit an annual report to the governor and legislature detailing expenditures and outcomes.
Michigan Senate Bill 1129 requires home insurance companies to offer premium discounts or other cost reductions to policyholders who build or retrofit their properties to meet specific fortified roof standards. To qualify for these savings, a property must be inspected and certified by an evaluator from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), and the homeowner must present this certification to their insurer. The bill applies only to insurance policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2027, and it does not prevent insurers from offering additional discounts under existing laws.
Michigan House Bill 6269 amends the state's use tax act to exempt qualified building materials from taxation when purchased for the construction of new single-family residences or small multi-family homes with up to four units. This exemption applies to both home owners and developers, as well as contractors building for others, provided a valid building permit is in place at the time of purchase. The bill includes safeguards that require taxpayers to pay back any exempted taxes if the materials are not used for the intended residence, if the project is abandoned within 15 months, or if the building permit expires before a certificate of occupancy is issued. Additionally, the state Department of Treasury must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how this tax break affects housing construction, job creation, and state revenue.
Michigan House Bill 6230 comprehensively revises the state's civil procedure laws regarding debt collection, garnishment, and property exemptions to better protect individual consumers. The bill significantly increases the dollar amounts of protected assets, such as raising the household goods exemption from $1,000 to $5,000 and the homestead exemption to $125,000, while also establishing a new earnings protection that limits wage garnishment to the lesser of 15% of weekly income or the amount exceeding 35 times the minimum wage. It introduces specific protections for financial accounts by requiring banks to identify and shield funds originating from exempt sources like public assistance or tax credits over a 90-day period, and it mandates that courts provide debtors with clear notices about their rights to claim exemptions before any property seizure occurs. Additionally, the legislation creates a mechanism for periodic inflation adjustments to these exemption limits and restricts the state treasurer from intercepting specific earned income tax credits when collecting consumer debts.
Michigan Senate Bill 1128 establishes the "Strengthen MI Homes" program to provide grants for retrofitting owner-occupied, single-family homes to meet fortified roof standards that resist weather-related perils such as tornadoes and hail. To qualify, homeowners must have a homestead exemption, obtain an evaluation from a certified inspector, and hire a licensed contractor who meets specific insurance and training requirements. The bill creates the Strengthen MI Home Fund within the Department of Treasury to finance these grants and administrative costs, though the program only operates if the legislature appropriates sufficient funding. Grant payments are released directly to contractors only after a final inspection confirms the home meets the required safety standards, and participants must maintain active property insurance to receive benefits.
Michigan House Bill 6271 creates a new individual income tax credit for taxpayers who pay local building permit fees to construct a new single-family home. Starting with the 2027 tax year, eligible individuals can claim a credit equal to their actual permit costs, up to a maximum of $2,500 per year. The bill requires taxpayers to provide reasonable proof of these expenses to the state department if requested. If the total credit amount is greater than the taxpayer's annual income tax liability, the excess portion must be refunded to the taxpayer rather than being lost.
This bill authorizes the Massachusetts House Committee on Housing to continue meeting during legislative recesses to investigate four specific housing-related bills. The committee is tasked with studying these documents and developing recommendations, including drafting any necessary legislation to implement those findings. It must submit its final report and proposed laws to the Clerk of the House by December 31, 2026.
By Representative Rogers of Cambridge and Senator Brownsberger, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5661) of David M. Rogers and William N. Brownsberger (by vote of the town) that the town of Belmont be authorized to increase certain income, asset and benefit limits for senior property tax abatements. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]
This measure would proclaim the month of November 2026 as California Youth Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Month to recognize the need for individuals, schools, communities, businesses, local governments, and the state to take action on behalf of runaway and homeless youth in California.
