SB 250 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Human services: services or financial assistance; water rate affordability program; create. Amends 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.1 - 400.119b) by adding secs. 14n, 14o, 14p, 14r, 14s & 14u. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0248'25, SB 0249'25, SB 0252'25

SB 250 creates a new program to provide financial assistance for water bills to low-income households. It adds specific provisions to the state’s human services law (MCL 400.1-400.119b) to establish eligibility criteria and program administration. The policy directly affects residents struggling to afford basic water services, aiming to reduce financial strain through state-funded support. This change modifies existing law to integrate water affordability into human services programs.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 23, 2025 Last action Nov 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → Substitute (S-1) · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand eligibility for the water affordability program to include households receiving state emergency relief, and to clarify that the program applies to providers with 500+ connections before expanding to all providers. Administrative responsibilities were updated to include community action agencies and the Department of Treasury in planning and funding projections.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include providers with 500 or more retail water service connections immediately upon implementation, with a subsequent expansion to all providers in the state 18 months later. The definition of an 'eligible customer' was broadened to include those receiving state emergency relief assistance.

ELIGIBILITY

Added state emergency relief recipients to the list of eligible customers for the water affordability program.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Residential customer' to clarify who qualifies for water service.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the program administrator definition to explicitly include community action agencies in consultations.

Added the Department of Treasury as a partner in preparing funding projections and decision-making.

Added a requirement to develop a 'nonaffordability application' form before the program launches.

TIMELINE

Clarified that the affordability program applies to large providers (500+ connections) upon implementation and expands to all providers 18 months later.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Nov 5, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)

upper

Nov 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1) 11/4/2025

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ROSEMARY BAYER

upper

1 primary · 8 co-sponsors