HB 4708 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Watercraft: marinas; enforcement of liens; modify. Amends sec. 5 of 1998 PA 362 (MCL 570.375).

HB 4708 updates Michigan's law for marinas and boatyards to clarify how they enforce liens on stored watercraft (like boats and trailers) when owners don't pay for services. It requires facility owners to send written notice to the property owner and the secretary of state after 60 days of non-payment (or 180 days if other liens exist), and to advertise the sale in a local newspaper for two weeks. Sale proceeds must cover the facility owner's costs first, then the lien, then other liens in order, with any surplus returned to the property owner. The bill also allows other lienholders to pay to stop the sale and provides steps for resolving disputes about lien priority.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2025

Committee Review

May 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

Governor

Introduced Jul 1, 2025 Last action May 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

House Introduced Bill → As Passed by the House · 7 edits · Apr 29, 2026

MODERATE

This bill amends the Michigan marina and boatyard storage lien act to add detailed procedures for enforcing liens, including specific notice requirements, sale timelines, and the order in which money from a sale is distributed. It also clarifies liability limits for facility owners and allows them to bid on the property at auction. These changes aim to provide clearer legal standards for resolving disputes over unpaid storage fees and ensure fair treatment for property owners, lienholders, and facility owners.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the same subject matter (marina and boatyard storage liens), but the applicability is refined by adding specific procedural requirements and liability protections that were previously absent or less detailed.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific steps for facility owners to take before selling property, including mailing detailed notices of default to owners and lienholders, and publishing sale advertisements in local newspapers.

Allowed facility owners to bid on the property at the auction sale they are conducting.

Added a provision allowing facility owners to deny access to the storage facility after proper notice, with limited exceptions for viewing the property.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a clear order for distributing sale proceeds: first to sale expenses, then to the facility owner's lien, then to other lienholders, and finally to the property owner.

Clarified that facility owners are only liable for the net proceeds from a sale, protecting them from claims exceeding the sale amount.

DEFINITION

Defined 'commercially reasonable' sales using the Uniform Commercial Code standards to ensure fair market value during auctions.

TIMELINE

Specified that property owners remain liable for any deficiency if the sale proceeds do not cover the full debt owed.

Floor votes · House Apr 29, 2026

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 7, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE

upper

May 7, 2026

Upper · Passed

PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT

upper

Apr 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #128 Yeas 93 Nays 13 Excused 0 Not Voting 4

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Committee

referred to second reading

lower

Apr 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

reported with recommendation without amendment

lower

Jul 1, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism

lower

Jul 1, 2025

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Alicia St. Germaine

lower

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors