HB 5793 amends Michigan's sentencing guidelines to address crimes involving interference with the operational technology of covered critical infrastructure facilities. The bill directly affects individuals who attempt to disrupt systems essential to vital services such as power, water, and communications. By updating the Code of Criminal Procedure, it establishes specific sentencing parameters for these offenses, ensuring that penalties align with the severity of attacks on critical infrastructure. This change is part of a paired legislative effort with HB 5792 to strengthen protections for essential services.
This bill amends Michigan's zoning enabling act to require local zoning ordinances to comply with the data center planning and responsibility act. It also clarifies rules for mining operations by setting conditions under which local governments can restrict extraction based on potential serious consequences, while allowing reasonable regulations on noise, traffic, and blasting hours. Additionally, the bill protects renewable energy projects that received special land use approval after January 1, 2021, from having their approvals revoked or modified once substantial construction or specific expenditures have occurred. The legislation will only take effect if it is passed together with a companion bill, HB 5882.
HB 5879 requires public utilities in Michigan to obtain approval from the Public Service Commission before raising rates or changing rate schedules that would increase costs for customers. The bill mandates that utilities provide notice to affected areas and allow for a full hearing before any rate increase is approved, while also setting specific timelines for the commission to review and respond to rate applications. Additionally, it establishes a process for gas utilities with fewer than one million customers to seek immediate partial rate relief and outlines rules for refunding customers if proposed rates are later reduced after being temporarily implemented. This legislation directly impacts gas, electric, and steam utilities operating in the state and their residential and commercial customers by tightening oversight on rate-setting procedures.
This bill amends Michigan's clean energy laws to create a dedicated net metering program specifically for rooftop solar systems, ensuring these generators are excluded from the general distributed generation program. It mandates that the Public Service Commission establish uniform statewide rules for rooftop solar net metering within 180 days, guaranteeing consistent consumer protections across all electric utilities and alternative suppliers. The legislation also sets specific grid reliability limits, such as capping distributed generation at 10% of a utility's peak load, while protecting solar participants from service disconnection or rate discrimination. By defining eligible rooftop solar equipment and requiring standardized interconnection procedures, the bill aims to streamline how homeowners connect solar panels to the grid while maintaining safety standards.
SB 916 updates Michigan's renewable energy requirements for electric providers by establishing a tiered portfolio standard that increases from 15% by 2029 to 60% by 2035. The bill allows providers to meet these targets through generating renewable energy, purchasing power, or acquiring renewable energy credits, with specific limits on the use of out-of-state credits. It also introduces financial incentives for providers entering into non-affiliate contracts for renewable energy or clean energy storage systems after June 30, 2024, and permits energy waste reduction credits to substitute for up to 10% of renewable energy requirements under certain conditions.
This bill requires electric and natural gas utilities in Michigan to prove they have security measures in place to protect critical infrastructure from cyber and physical threats. Utilities must also maintain a risk-based program to identify and mitigate these risks. If approved by the state commission, utilities can pass the cost of these enhanced security investments onto retail customers through a specific fee. The bill also mandates that sensitive information regarding security vulnerabilities and protective systems remain confidential and exempt from public disclosure.
This bill establishes a temporary gas tax holiday in Michigan, setting the motor fuel tax rate to zero cents per gallon starting immediately. The zero rate will remain in effect until either November 1, 2026, or the nationwide average gas price drops below $3.50, whichever happens first. While the holiday is active, the standard tax rates for gasoline and diesel are suspended, and the bill includes specific reporting requirements for suppliers and end users holding fuel inventory.
Senate Bill 987 amends Michigan's use tax law to maintain the exemption of electricity, natural gas, and home heating fuels from the additional 2% use tax for residential use. This change ensures that households continue to pay only the standard sales tax rate on these essential utilities rather than the higher rate. The bill directly affects Michigan residents by preserving the current tax treatment of residential energy consumption. Introduced by Senator Jonathan Lindsey on May 20, 2026, the legislation is currently under review by the Committee on Government Operations.
This bill requires electric and natural gas utilities in Michigan to use competitive bidding for contracts involving construction, operations, maintenance, or capital improvements. If a utility fails to follow this competitive process, the state commission cannot allow the company to recover the costs associated with that contract. The law also grants ratepayers and bidders the right to sue for damages or injunctive relief if the competitive bidding rules are not followed, with potential penalties of at least $1,000 plus legal fees. Additionally, all bids submitted to these utilities must be treated as public records and made available for inspection and copying.
This bill updates Michigan's rules for electric utilities seeking permission to build major new transmission lines. It requires companies to send detailed, plain-language notices by mail and in local newspapers to all municipalities and landowners near proposed routes, including maps and contact information for public comment. The legislation also grants affected landowners and municipalities full legal standing to participate in the review process and sets a one-year deadline for the state commission to approve or deny applications. Additionally, the bill mandates that if a project is not started within five years of approval, the permit becomes invalid.
