Land use: farmland and open space; eligibility for tax credit; grandfather farmland subject to multiple legal arrangements before certain date. Amends 1994 PA 451 (MCL 324.101 - 324.90106) by adding sec. 36109b. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0688'25, SB 0690'25, SB 0686'25, SB 0689'25, SB 0687'25, SB 0699'25
SB 685 amends Michigan's farmland tax credit law (MCL 324.101-324.90106) by adding Section 36109b. It expands eligibility for the farmland tax credit to properties with existing legal agreements (like easements or leases) that were in place before a specific date, even if those arrangements complicate ownership. This change directly affects farmers and landowners who hold farmland subject to multiple pre-existing agreements, allowing them to qualify for the tax credit they previously might have been excluded from. The bill passed unanimously in the Michigan Senate on December 2, 2025, after being referred to the Agriculture Committee.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Dec 2025
Senate Passage
Dec 2025
House Passage
Dec 2025
Signed into Law
Dec 2025
Introduced Oct 30, 2025
Signed Dec 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
As Passed by the House
→
Substitute (S-1)
·
3 edits
MINOR
This bill version change primarily involves formatting and metadata updates rather than substantive policy changes. The document structure was adjusted with minor spacing modifications, and tracking identifiers were updated to reflect the Senate substitute version. No changes were made to the bill's core provisions, eligibility criteria, funding amounts, or operational requirements.
TECHNICAL
Minor formatting adjustments including spacing changes in the title section and header information
Updated tracking identifiers from '1kqpy0' to 'axghob' and adjusted page numbering metadata
Adjusted indentation and spacing in the bill title and enacting clause for consistency with Senate substitute format
Floor votes · Senate Dec 2, 2025 · House Dec 16, 2025
How they voted
38–0
Passed
Total votes 38
Dec 2, 2025
D
Democratic19
100% Yea
R
Republican19
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
29
Key actions
7
Committee
7
Dec 23, 2025
Introduced
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE 12/23/2025 12:28 PM
upper
Dec 23, 2025
Signed into law
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR 12/23/2025 10:58 AM
upper
Dec 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #328 Yeas 102 Nays 3 Excused 0 Not Voting 5
lower
Dec 11, 2025
Committee
referred to second reading
lower
Dec 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
reported with recommendation without amendment
lower
Dec 2, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Agriculture
lower
Dec 2, 2025
Introduced
received on 12/02/2025
lower
Dec 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED ROLL CALL # 306 YEAS 37 NAYS 0 EXCUSED 0 NOT VOTING 0
upper
Dec 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
SUBSTITUTE (S-1) CONCURRED IN
upper
Dec 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-1)
upper
Nov 12, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
upper
Nov 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 11/6/2025
upper
Oct 30, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE
upper
Oct 30, 2025
Introduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SUE SHINK
upper
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Sue Shink
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Lauwers
RRepublican
Co
John Cherry
DDemocratic
Co
Kevin Daley
RRepublican
Co
Sam Singh
DDemocratic
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