Veterans

passed · Michigan · Senate Oct 28, 2025

SB 478: Property: conveyance of state property; transfer of certain state-owned property in Livingston County; provide for. Creates land transfer act.

SB 478 transfers administrative control of a specific 92.98-acre parcel of state-owned land in Green Oak Township, Livingston County, from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The property, described in detail in the bill, includes all improvements and equipment on the land. The transfer is permanent, requires approval by the state administrative board, and occurs without cost to the receiving department (though the Military Affairs Department must reimburse administrative costs). This bill directly affects how these two state agencies manage the property, shifting responsibility from corrections facilities to military/veterans services.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransTransfers land to Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, enhancing operational capacity for veteran services without direct cost to department.85% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 12, 2025

HR 217: A resolution to urge the United States Congress, Department of War, and Department of Veterans Affairs to prioritize research and investment in non-technology treatment options for servicemembers and veterans who have psychological trauma as a result of military service.

HR 217 is a House resolution urging the U.S. Congress, Department of War, and Department of Veterans Affairs to prioritize research and funding for non-technology mental health treatments for veterans and servicemembers with psychological trauma from military service. It specifically highlights promising approaches like buddy-to-buddy programs, clinical psychedelic therapy, outdoor therapy, and service animal access, while also calling for resources to support families affected by veterans' behavioral health challenges. The resolution does not create new law or funding but formally requests federal agencies focus on these alternative treatment options. It was introduced by Rep. Mike McFall and referred to the Government Operations Committee in November 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges funding for non-tech mental health treatments (psychedelic therapy, outdoor therapy) for veterans, directly advancing mental health care access and research priorities.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly urges funding for non-tech mental health treatments for veterans, directly advancing healthcare services and recognition of psychological trauma needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Memorials & Recognition Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Nov 12, 2025

SB 703: State: symbol; Honor and Remember flag; designate as the official state symbol of remembrance of fallen military members. Creates new act.

SB 703 designates the "Honor and Remember flag" as Michigan's official symbol of remembrance for military members who died in service. It requires the flag to be displayed alongside the U.S. flag at all Michigan state capitol buildings, state properties, and local government facilities. The bill mandates flying the flag on specific military observance days, including Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and days when flags are flown at half-staff for fallen service members. This policy change directly affects state and local government operations regarding flag display protocols. The bill does not alter existing military benefits or funding but establishes a new official symbol for remembrance.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Honor and Remember flag as official symbol for fallen military, requiring display on Veterans Day/Memorial Day to honor service and sacrifice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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passed both · Michigan · House Dec 2, 2025

HB 5089: Highways: memorial; portions of M-60; rename as memorial highways. Amends sec. 106 of 2001 PA 142 (MCL 250.1106).

HB 5089 amends Michigan's memorial highway law to rename four specific segments of M-60 in Jackson County after veterans. Each segment is designated with a memorial name honoring distinct groups: WWII veterans (Lynford Graham, Melvin King, Vernon Smalley), Vietnam War veterans (Timothy Ballinger, Robert Jenks, James Morgan), and an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran (Donald Wheeler Jr.). The bill directly affects drivers using these M-60 portions by changing their official highway names. It does not create new policies or funding, only renaming existing road segments per the memorial highway act. The bill passed unanimously in the Michigan House on December 2, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill directly honors veterans through highway renaming (WWII, Vietnam, OIF), aligning with 'recognizes veteran service' indicator under support stance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 12, 2025

HCR 3: A concurrent resolution to urge Congress to amend 38 U.S.C. § 5304 and 10 U.S.C. § 12316 to permit members of the United States reserves and National Guard to receive full or partial active service pay in tandem with disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

HCR 3 is a Michigan legislative resolution urging Congress to amend two federal laws (38 U.S.C. § 5304 and 10 U.S.C. § 12316) that currently prevent National Guard and reserve members from receiving both active duty pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously. Under current law, veterans must choose between these two payments, forcing them to waive disability benefits to maintain reserve pay or vice versa. If enacted, the amendment would allow service members to receive both payments concurrently, supporting veterans with service-connected disabilities who serve part-time in the reserves or National Guard. This resolution is a recommendation to Congress, not a law, and does not change existing policy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables veterans to retain VA disability compensation (healthcare-related benefit) alongside military pay, improving access to healthcare services without financial penalty.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill seeks to amend federal law to allow National Guard/reserve members to receive both active duty pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously, removing a current restriction that forces veterans to choose between benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

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signed · Michigan · House Dec 31, 2025

HB 5078: Highways: memorial; portion of M-22; designate as the "Company K Indian Veterans 1st Michigan Sharpshooters Civil War Memorial Highway". Amends 2001 PA 142 (MCL 250.1001 - 250.2092) by adding sec. 108.

HB 5078 designates a specific segment of M-22 in Leelanau County (from North Stallman Road to North Putnam Road) as the "Company K Indian Veterans 1st Michigan Sharpshooters Civil War Memorial Highway." The bill amends Michigan's Memorial Highway Act to add this official name, directly affecting signage and official records for that highway stretch. It is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or funding mechanisms, solely honoring the Civil War unit known as the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill designates highway as memorial for Civil War veterans unit, directly recognizing their service per support indicators without policy/funding changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5258: Military affairs: generally; Michigan Iraq and Afghanistan veteran recognition certificate; establish, and provide eligibility requirements. Amends sec. 182 of 1967 PA 150 (MCL 32.582).

HB 5258 establishes a new "Iraq and Afghanistan veteran recognition certificate" for Michigan veterans who served honorably in those conflicts. To qualify, veterans must have been Michigan residents (or former residents) during their service, served during active combat periods in Iraq or Afghanistan, and received an honorable discharge. The certificate can be awarded only once per person, and family members may receive it if the veteran has passed away. This bill updates Michigan’s military recognition program to specifically honor veterans of recent conflicts, building on existing provisions for Vietnam War veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes recognition certificate for Iraq/Afghanistan veterans, meeting support indicator of 'recognizes veteran service'95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5261: Military affairs: other; office of mental health; establish within the Michigan veterans affairs agency. Amends 1967 PA 150 (MCL 32.501 - 32.851) by adding sec. 322. TIE BAR WITH: HB 5270'25

HB 5261 establishes a mental health support program within Michigan's Veterans Affairs Agency. It requires the agency to partner with the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct statewide outreach on mental health resources for service members, veterans, and their families (Section 322(1)(a)), develop materials to help families recognize mental health changes (Section 322(1)(b)), and collect data under the Protecting Veterans Mental Health Act (Section 322(1)(c)). The bill also creates a dedicated family support program for navigating mental health services (Section 322(2)) and allows digital platforms to connect veterans to resources (Section 322(3)), while protecting individual health records from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (Section 322(4)). The bill is contingent on the passage of companion bill HB 5270.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health program within veterans agency, mandates outreach/resources, directly advancing mental health services for veterans per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes mental health program within Veterans Affairs Agency, requiring outreach, family resources, and data collection under Protecting Veterans Mental Health Act95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5267: Veterans: veterans' homes; Michigan veterans' facility ombudsman; require to notify certain entities and individuals after deciding to investigate a report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a veterans' facility. Amends secs. 1, 7, 12 & 13 of 2016 PA 198 (MCL 4.771 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5263'25, HB 5268'25, HB 5269'25

HB 5267 requires Michigan's veterans' facility ombudsman to notify specific parties within 10 business days when deciding to investigate complaints or reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in state veterans' homes. It directly affects resident veterans, their families, legal representatives, and the facilities themselves, as well as the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The bill mandates written notification to complainants, affected veterans, and relevant departments upon initiating or declining an investigation, ensuring transparency in the process. This amendment to existing law (2016 PA 198) focuses on improving communication and accountability in handling facility abuse reports.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates timely notifications for abuse investigations in veterans' homes, strengthening oversight and protection for residents per bill's notification requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · Michigan · House Nov 13, 2025

HB 5263: Veterans: ombudsman; forwarding reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a veterans’ facility to the Michigan veterans’ facility ombudsman; require for the department of military and veterans affairs and employees of a veterans’ facility, and authorize the Michigan veterans’ facility ombudsman to independently investigate reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a veterans’ facility. Amends sec. 4 of 2016 PA 198 (MCL 4.774). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5267'25, HB 5268'25, HB 5269'25

HB 5263 requires Michigan veterans' facilities and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to forward written reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Michigan Veterans’ Facility Ombudsman. This directly affects veterans' facilities, their employees, and the ombudsman, who gains authority to independently investigate such reports without needing facility approval. The bill mandates that facilities immediately send reports to the ombudsman, who can then interview staff, contractors, or witnesses to probe issues affecting resident veterans’ safety. These changes aim to ensure prompt, impartial reviews of facility conditions that pose health or safety risks to veterans.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates reporting of abuse/neglect to ombudsman and grants independent investigation authority, strengthening oversight and protection for veterans in facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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