Michigan House Bill 6295 creates a state grant program to help medical, nursing, and other health professions schools promote primary care careers to middle school and high school students. The Department of Health and Human Services would administer the program by awarding grants to eligible educational institutions that agree to conduct outreach activities targeting these younger student groups. A dedicated fund within the state treasury would support the grants, with money carried over from year to year rather than expiring. The department is also required to publish an annual public report detailing the program's cost-effectiveness, successes, challenges, and recommendations for future changes.
Michigan employers licensed to sell alcohol, such as bars and restaurants, can claim a $250 tax credit for each employee who completes required training on preventing positional asphyxiation. This training is specifically designed for staff members, including bouncers, whose job duties involve the potential restraint of other individuals. The bill mandates that employers cover the costs of this instruction to qualify for the credit against their state income tax withholdings. These provisions are set to take effect for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, provided two related bills from the current legislative session are also enacted into law.
Michigan House Bill 6225 permanently reduces the state individual income tax rate to 3.9% starting in 2028, eliminating a previous automatic mechanism that could have lowered the rate further based on general fund revenue growth. The bill establishes a phased reduction schedule, lowering the tax from 4.15% in 2026 to 4.0% in 2027 before reaching the final rate. It also mandates specific annual deposits from income tax collections into the state school aid fund and the renew Michigan infrastructure fund, with the latter receiving $69 million per year beginning in fiscal year 2030.
Michigan House Bill 6271 creates a new individual income tax credit for taxpayers who pay local building permit fees to construct a new single-family home. Starting with the 2027 tax year, eligible individuals can claim a credit equal to their actual permit costs, up to a maximum of $2,500 per year. The bill requires taxpayers to provide reasonable proof of these expenses to the state department if requested. If the total credit amount is greater than the taxpayer's annual income tax liability, the excess portion must be refunded to the taxpayer rather than being lost.
Michigan House Bill 6298 is a supplemental appropriations act that reallocates funds within the Department of Health and Human Services for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The bill directs $150 million to the newly established Youth and Family Justice Bureau while reducing allocations for other child welfare functions, including foster care payments and local office staff compliance. These funding shifts are intended to support the specific powers and duties of the bureau as defined in the state probate code, effectively consolidating resources under this new agency structure.
Michigan House Bill 6277 amends the General Property Tax Act to streamline the correction of errors in property valuations and the processing of exemption applications. The bill allows local boards of review to immediately correct taxable values when an assessor determines that a transfer of ownership did not actually occur, bypassing previous limitations on how many years back corrections could be made. It also expands the definition of "qualified error" to include specific mistakes in processing personal property and veterans' exemptions, ensuring taxpayers receive rebates or bill adjustments for these verified errors.
Michigan House Bill 6257 amends the state's management and budget act to require independent verification and validation services for all information technology projects with a contract value exceeding $10 million. The Department of Technology, Management, and Budget must work with relevant state agencies to secure these external reviews, aiming to keep the cost of such services below 5% of the total project contract. Independent vendors are required to submit progress reports at least quarterly, though monthly reporting is preferred, to a broad list of recipients including legislative committees, fiscal agencies, and the technology vendors involved in the project.
Michigan House Bill 6274 establishes a state basic health program to provide medical coverage for low-income residents who do not qualify for Medicaid or affordable employer-sponsored insurance. The bill targets individuals aged 65 and under with incomes between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, as well as lawfully present noncitizens earning below 200% of that threshold. It creates a dedicated trust fund to finance the program and requires the state department to develop a program blueprint for federal certification within six months of forming a stakeholder advisory group. Key provisions include automatic enrollment for individuals transitioning from Medicaid, sliding-scale premiums based on income, and a requirement that no one earning below 133% of the poverty line pay any premiums or cost-sharing.
This bill amends the state school aid act to appropriate approximately $18.1 billion for public schools and education purposes for the fiscal year ending in 2026, and about $18.8 billion for the following year. It specifies that these funds will be drawn from multiple sources, including the state school aid fund, the general fund, and various specialized reserve funds for transportation, enrollment stabilization, and educator fellowships. Additionally, the bill allocates up to $50,000 from the state school aid fund to support the operation of a specific "learner-first district." The legislation only takes effect if a separate companion bill is also enacted into law.
HB 6145 requires school districts and intermediate school districts in Michigan to develop and submit five-year capital outlay plans for facility improvements, including new construction and renovations. These plans must be submitted electronically by November each year and will be evaluated based on factors such as safety needs, occupancy rates, sustainability, and projected operating costs. The bill allows districts to opt into this process, which involves a review by the Department of Treasury and the Joint Committee on Oversight Services before any funding is authorized for final design and construction. By establishing these specific criteria and timelines, the legislation aims to bring greater transparency and oversight to how public school districts plan and request funds for building projects.
