SB 561 amends Michigan's sales tax law to change how revenue is distributed. It allocates 8.6% of the 4% general sales tax (starting October 1, 2025) to a new Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for distribution to cities, villages, townships, and counties. The bill also directs computer software sales tax revenue ($9-12 million annually) to the Michigan Health Initiative Fund and splits aviation fuel tax revenue (35% to the state aeronautics fund, 65% to airport funds). These changes affect local governments, public schools (via school aid fund allocations), airports, and health programs, without altering the overall tax rates.
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.
SB 690 expands a state income tax credit for property taxes on farmland and open space protected by conservation agreements, such as agricultural easements or development rights agreements. Eligible farm owners - including those in partnerships, S corporations, life estates, trusts, and limited liability companies - can claim a credit for property taxes exceeding 3.5% of household income. The bill clarifies how the credit is calculated and shared among different ownership structures, requiring specific documentation like partnership agreements or trust terms to claim it. This change directly affects Michigan farmers who have conservation agreements on their land to preserve agricultural use.
SB 699 increases the annual cap on administrative spending from $1.4 million to $1.7 million for managing Michigan's Agriculture Preservation Fund. This fund supports farmland protection programs, directly affecting the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (as fund administrator), local governments receiving grants, and farmers seeking land preservation. The bill specifies that after covering administrative costs ($1.7M max annually) and local government grants, any remaining funds over $5 million can be used to purchase farmland development rights or conservation easements. These changes clarify how fund money is allocated, ensuring resources directly support farmland preservation efforts under existing state policy.
SB 596 creates a formal process for state agencies to request and monitor legislatively directed spending items within the state budget. It requires agencies to submit such requests through a defined procedure and track how funds are used, affecting state departments and legislators who direct funding. The bill amends Michigan's state finance law (MCL 18.1101-18.1594) to establish this requirement. The bill was approved by the governor and became law on November 18, 2025.
SB 199 amends Michigan's tax increment financing law to modify funding limits for certain legacy obligations. It specifically restricts the amount of tax increment revenue (revenue from increased property taxes in redevelopment areas) that can be used to pay for ongoing management contracts and professional services established before 1993. The bill phases out these payments annually, starting with $3 million per year for taxes levied through 2009, decreasing to $0 for taxes levied after June 2015. This directly affects municipalities and tax increment authorities that issued or incurred these pre-1993 obligations or related contracts.
This bill (HB 4182) amends Michigan's use tax law to add a new exemption for motor fuel sales. It specifically creates a new section (4gg) in the law to exempt certain motor fuel transactions from use tax. The bill directly affects businesses selling motor fuel, potentially reducing their tax burden on qualifying sales. However, the provided context does not specify the exact scope of the exemption or who qualifies for it, so the summary cannot detail the precise mechanisms or affected parties beyond the general tax exemption for motor fuel.
SB 419 increases the annual disbursement rate from Michigan's Children's Trust Fund from 4.25% to 5% of the fund's 12-quarter rolling average (starting in 2018 if the fund meets a $23.5 million minimum), and raises it further to 8% beginning in 2026. The fund, which supports child abuse prevention and related programs using state tax revenues and other sources, uses a rolling average to smooth out annual fluctuations in value. This change directly affects the amount of money available for children's services each year. The bill does not alter the fund's funding sources or disbursement authorization process.
