Veterans (Veteran Employment)

Senate Bill 237 creates the Michigan Army National Guard and Air National Guard Apprenticeship Program. This program will assist members of these units in applying their military training and experience toward earning a registered apprenticeship certificate from the United States Department of Labor. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will establish and operate the program as a no-cost benefit, coordinating with other state agencies to align military occupational specialties with civilian apprenticeship standards. Eligible members can participate if their military training is compatible with a registered apprenticeship, with on-the-job learning occurring during duty hours.

House Bill 4443 establishes a new "disabled veteran's homestead specific tax" on properties currently exempt from general property taxes. Beginning January 1, 2026, this tax will apply to homesteads owned by disabled veterans or their surviving spouses. The tax amount is calculated based on what would have been owed in general property taxes, then discounted (reduced) according to the veteran's disability severity rating, potentially reducing the tax to zero for those with the highest disability ratings. Unpaid specific taxes are subject to the same forfeiture and foreclosure processes as delinquent general property taxes.

HB 4758 requires Michigan Works agencies to create teams providing job transition services to two groups: individuals who lost federal jobs involuntarily between January 2025 and January 2027 (dislocated federal employees), and veterans. The bill mandates these teams to analyze job matches with public employers, assess transferable skills, and refer individuals to both public and private employers needing staff. It also requires assistance with filing for unemployment benefits under Michigan’s existing employment security system. The law applies specifically to Michigan Works agencies and public employers like state/local governments, schools, and community colleges. This bill creates a new coordination framework but does not establish new benefits or funding.

HB 5118 would create a Michigan income tax credit for employers hiring residents from specific federal "targeted groups" (like veterans or long-term unemployed individuals). The credit equals 50% of the federal work opportunity tax credit amount, applied to qualified wages paid to Michigan residents certified by the state unemployment agency as part of these groups. It applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and cannot exceed an employer's total tax liability for that year. The bill directly affects Michigan employers (excluding tax-exempt organizations) who hire eligible employees meeting federal and state certification criteria.

HB 5277 amends Michigan's state procurement rules to prioritize Michigan-based businesses, biobased products, and qualified disabled veteran-owned businesses in state contracts. It requires state agencies to give up to 15% preference to disabled veteran businesses when they are the lowest bidders and sets a goal for 5% of annual state spending on goods/services to go to these businesses. The bill mandates annual reporting on disabled veteran contracting progress and includes new requirements for state contracts to include anti-boycott clauses regarding strategic partners. These changes directly affect all state agencies purchasing goods/services and businesses seeking state contracts.