This bill requires Michigan state agencies to submit all legislative reports to the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget. The department must then create a free, searchable public website to publish these reports within 90 days of the bill taking effect. The change applies to any report that state agencies are legally required to send to the state legislature.
HB 5331 prohibits state agencies, local governments, universities, community colleges, and other entities receiving state funds from purchasing certain drones. It extends the same drone purchase restrictions that apply to the federal government to these Michigan entities. The bill amends Michigan's Management and Budget Act to require these organizations to follow federal guidelines when acquiring drones with state money. This directly affects any state-funded organization that might otherwise buy drones for operations.
HB 5308 requires Michigan watercraft owners to purchase an annual $35 "Great Lakes protection" decal. Revenue from these decals funds invasive species prevention and remediation efforts under Section 80124b. The bill mandates that the state agency discontinue sales if fewer than 2,000 decals are sold by September 2006, then fewer than 500 annually after that. It directly affects recreational boat owners in Michigan who must buy the decal to legally operate watercraft. The decal design is specified but placement rules allow flexibility for law enforcement.
SB 581 updates definitions in Michigan's downtown development law to clarify how tax increment financing (TIF) programs operate. It specifically revises the definition of "downtown district" to allow multiple geographic areas within a business district under certain conditions (like inter-municipal agreements), defines "captured assessed value" for TIF calculations, and limits "catalyst development projects" to one per authority (requiring $300 million+ investment in cities over 600,000 population). These changes directly affect municipalities operating downtown development authorities that use TIF to fund redevelopment. The bill focuses on precise terminology to ensure consistent application of existing TIF rules, without creating new funding mechanisms.
HB 5517 creates a $0.005 per returnable beverage container tax credit for distributors who charge a deposit on containers, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. The credit adjusts annually based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index starting in 2027. Distributors must attach a specific report (per 1976 IL 1) with their tax return to claim the credit, and any excess credit is refunded. This directly affects beverage distributors handling returnable containers in Michigan.
HB 4080 reinstates a program deferring property tax special assessments for eligible Michigan homestead owners. It applies to assessments due before October 1, 2020, or on/before October 1, 2022, for primary residences owned by qualifying individuals (including those who are totally and permanently disabled). The bill allows owners to defer payments until death, sale, or transfer of the property, with up to four annual partial payments (minimum $500 or 5% of the balance) and interest accruing on unpaid amounts. Full payment becomes due upon sale, transfer, or death, and the bill requires the state to notify owners of these terms. This amendment to Michigan’s 1976 property tax law (MCL 211.761-762) is contingent on HB 4079 passing.
HB 4079 adjusts the income limit for homeowners aged 65 or older, or those totally and permanently disabled, who qualify for a property tax deferment on special assessments. Currently set at $34,900 as of October 2022, the bill replaces this fixed amount with an annual adjustment based on the Detroit-area Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning the limit will rise or fall each year with local inflation. The state treasurer will calculate the new limit annually using the prior year's CPI data, rounding to the nearest dollar. This change directly affects eligible homeowners seeking to defer special assessments on their primary residences without immediate payment.
HB 4543 changes how Michigan's home heating credit is adjusted annually. It replaces the use of the national U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) with the Detroit Consumer Price Index to calculate annual credit adjustments. This means the credit amount for eligible households will now reflect local cost-of-living changes in Detroit instead of national averages. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate income Michigan residents who claim the home heating credit on their state tax returns.
SB 689 amends Michigan's farmland preservation law to expand when landowners can give up (relinquish) farmland from development rights agreements. It adds two new scenarios: 1) land with pre-existing structures (up to 5 acres), and 2) land for a farm operator's residence (up to 2 acres), both requiring approval from local government and the state land use agency. If relinquishment occurs, landowners must repay tax credits received under the agreement, plus interest, via a lien recorded against the property. This directly affects farmers with existing farmland preservation agreements who wish to develop or use portions of their land for specific purposes.
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.
