This bill modifies Michigan's criminal sentencing guidelines to formally recognize veteran status as a factor in determining sentences. It defines a "veteran" as someone who served at least 180 days in the U.S. Armed Forces and was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, with specific exceptions for those diagnosed with service-connected mental health conditions. The key provision requires courts to set a minimum sentence of zero months if they find a clear connection between the crime and a condition stemming from the offender's military service. This change applies to offenses where the defendant is a veteran and the court makes the required finding regarding the link between their service and the offense.
This bill amends Michigan's property tax laws to clarify how disabled veterans and their surviving spouses qualify for tax exemptions on their homes. It establishes specific criteria for eligibility based on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ratings and outlines a streamlined process where exemptions granted after January 1, 2025, remain in effect without needing annual reapplication. The legislation also introduces an audit program to verify eligibility every three years and defines clear rules for prorating tax exemptions when property ownership changes during the year.
This bill creates new lifetime hunting and fishing licenses specifically for disabled veterans in Michigan, starting on July 1, 2027. The licenses are priced based on the veteran's disability rating, ranging from free for those rated 100% disabled to $100 for those rated 30% or more but less than 50% disabled. These lifetime licenses include standard hunting and fishing privileges such as deer, waterfowl, turkey, and all-species fishing, but holders must still follow all current hunting and fishing regulations. The bill also establishes how applications are processed, what information is required, and how much license sellers can retain as fees.
This bill creates new lifetime hunting and fishing licenses specifically for disabled veterans in Michigan, effective July 1, 2027. The licenses are priced based on the veteran's disability rating, ranging from free for those rated 100% disabled to $100 for those rated 30% or more but less than 50% disabled. These lifetime licenses include all standard hunting and fishing privileges, such as deer, waterfowl, turkey, and fishing rights, and remain valid even if the veteran moves out of state. The bill also updates definitions for disabled veterans and resident status within the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.
HB 5407 expands property tax exemptions for surviving spouses of disabled veterans in Michigan. It modifies existing law to include surviving spouses who receive dependency and indemnity compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (under 38 USC 1310-1318), in addition to those already covered. The exemption applies to homestead property owned by the surviving spouse without requiring reapplication after 2025, continuing as long as they don’t remarry. This directly affects eligible surviving spouses of veterans who died while receiving VA disability benefits.
SB 196 modifies Michigan's property tax exemption for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It expands the existing homestead exemption to include surviving spouses of disabled veterans who were eligible before death, as long as they don't remarry. The bill requires applicants to submit a form to their local assessor by December 31 each year (with specific VA documentation proving disability status) and clarifies that exemptions apply to all property taxes for the year, with proration rules if the property isn't used as a homestead all year. This directly affects disabled veterans (defined as those with 100% VA disability rating, specially adapted housing assistance, or individual unemployability) and their surviving spouses owning qualifying homestead property.
SB 239, also known as the "Vietnam veteran era bonus extension act," proposes to create a new program providing financial bonus payments to eligible veterans and their beneficiaries. This bill directly affects individuals who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces between September 1, 1973, and May 7, 1975, and met specific Michigan residency requirements. Under the bill, "combat veterans" during this period would receive a $600 bonus, while other eligible veterans would receive $15 per month of service, up to a maximum of $450. The bill establishes a "Vietnam veteran era bonus extension fund" to manage these payments and outlines the application process through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
HB 4615 updates Michigan's Uniform Veterans' Guardianship Act to remove gendered language. It replaces references like "his wife" with the gender-neutral term "spouse" in Section 13 (MCL 35.83), ensuring the law applies equally to all veterans under guardianship regardless of their spouse's gender. This change directly affects veterans who have appointed guardians and their spouses, making the legal language inclusive without altering existing support or maintenance provisions for wards.
HB 4394 creates a new permit fee for barbers and cosmetologists to provide services to veterans outside their regular licensed facilities. It amends Michigan's State License Fee Act to establish this specific permit, allowing licensed professionals to offer mobile services for veterans without needing a full facility license. The bill directly affects licensed beauty professionals seeking to serve veterans in non-traditional settings, such as veteran centers or homes. This provision adds a targeted fee structure for these off-site veteran services while maintaining existing licensing requirements.
HB 4681 allows eligible disabled veterans with an honorable U.S. military discharge to request special vehicle registration plates or a "DV" adhesive tab for their service/conflict plates at no application fee. To qualify, veterans must prove a VA disability rating of at least 50% (for partial disability) or 100% (for total disability), including receiving disability retirement pay. Totally disabled veterans would be exempt from registration taxes, and their plates could be renewed without re-proving disability or paying fees. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may also use and renew these plates after the veteran’s death. The bill also permits a free wheelchair symbol tab to be attached to these special plates.
