Housing across the country

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 11, 2026

HB 6229: Civil procedure: bankruptcy; bankruptcy exemptions; modify. Amends sec. 5451 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5451).

Michigan House Bill 6229 significantly increases the amount of personal property that individuals can protect from creditors when filing for bankruptcy under state law. The bill raises exemption limits for key assets, including increasing the homestead exemption to $125,000 (or $200,000 for those over age 65 or disabled), raising the motor vehicle exemption to $15,000, and expanding protections for household goods, tools of trade, and retirement accounts. It also introduces a new mechanism where the state treasurer adjusts these dollar amounts every three years based on changes in the Consumer Price Index and the Home Price Index to account for inflation. These changes apply to bankruptcy cases filed after the bill's effective date, allowing debtors to retain more of their essential assets during the legal process.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases homestead exemption limits to $125k/$200k, strengthening property rights and protecting homeowners from losing their primary residence in bankruptcy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes

Sponsor Brenda Carter (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Aug 26, 2026

SB 1138: Civil procedure: bankruptcy; bankruptcy exemptions; modify. Amends sec. 5451 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.5451).

Michigan Senate Bill 1138 significantly increases the dollar limits for property that debtors can protect from creditors during federal bankruptcy proceedings. The bill raises specific exemption caps, such as increasing the homestead exemption to $125,000 for most individuals and $200,000 for those who are disabled or over age 65, while also boosting limits for household goods, motor vehicles, and business tools. Additionally, it expands protections for retirement accounts by clarifying that IRAs and qualified pension plans are generally exempt, with specific exclusions for recent contributions or amounts subject to court orders for child support and divorce. The legislation establishes a mechanism for the state treasurer to adjust these dollar amounts every three years based on consumer price and home value indices to keep pace with inflation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases homestead exemption limits to $125k-$200k, directly protecting property rights and preventing forced sale of homes during bankruptcy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes

Sponsor Mary Cavanagh (D) · 5 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Aug 26, 2026

SB 1137: Civil procedure: execution; procedures for collection of judgments; revise. Amends & adds (See bill).

Michigan Senate Bill 1137 comprehensively revises state civil procedure laws to expand protections for individuals with consumer debts by increasing the value of property exempt from seizure, such as raising the homestead exemption to $125,000 and the household goods exemption to $5,000. The bill establishes a new cap on wage garnishment, limiting creditors to seizing only 15% of an individual's weekly earnings or the amount exceeding 35 times the minimum wage, whichever is less. It also introduces specific procedural safeguards, including requirements for financial institutions to identify and protect exempt funds in deposit accounts and mandates that courts provide debtors with clear notices about their rights before property can be seized. Additionally, the legislation creates a mechanism for periodic inflation adjustments to these exemption amounts and restricts the state from intercepting tax refunds to satisfy consumer debts when the refund includes specific earned income tax credits.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRaises homestead exemption to $125k and caps wage garnishment, strengthening protections for debtors' housing assets and income.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill caps wage garnishment at 15% of earnings and increases property exemptions, directly protecting workers' income from excessive creditor seizure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes Minimum Wage

Sponsor Jeff Irwin (D) · 5 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 29, 2026

SB 1127: Housing: housing development authority; first-time home buyers fund; create. Amends 1966 PA 346 (MCL 125.1401 - 125.1499c) by adding sec. 49w. TIE BAR WITH: SB 1125'26, SB 1126'26

Michigan's SB 1127 creates the Community Housing Stability Fund within the state housing development authority, primarily funded by fines collected from business corporations and limited liability companies. The fund is dedicated to developing and coordinating resources to meet the housing needs of low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income households. Key provisions require a biennial allocation plan that distributes money based on regional poverty levels, mandates that at least 30% of funds target extremely low-income groups including those experiencing homelessness, and requires assisted projects to set aside at least 20% of units for households earning no more than 60% of the area median income. The authority must hold public hearings before finalizing allocation plans and submit an annual report to the governor and legislature detailing expenditures and outcomes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates a fund specifically to meet housing needs of low-income households and supports first-time home buyers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Sponsor Mary Cavanagh (D)

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Aug 26, 2026

SB 1129: Insurance: property and casualty; premium discounts; require insurance companies to offer under certain circumstances. Amends 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.100 - 500.8302) by adding sec. 2132a.

Michigan Senate Bill 1129 requires home insurance companies to offer premium discounts or other cost reductions to policyholders who build or retrofit their properties to meet specific fortified roof standards. To qualify for these savings, a property must be inspected and certified by an evaluator from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), and the homeowner must present this certification to their insurer. The bill applies only to insurance policies issued or renewed after December 31, 2027, and it does not prevent insurers from offering additional discounts under existing laws.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill incentivizes home fortification through insurance discounts, reducing costs for homeowners and improving housing resilience.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

Sponsor Mary Cavanagh (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Sep 1, 2026

HB 6303: Construction: code; code requirement to use air tightness testing to test a commercial building's building envelope; prohibit. Amends 1972 PA 230 (MCL 125.1501 - 125.1531) by adding sec. 4j. TIE BAR WITH: HB 6304'26

Michigan House Bill 6303 amends the state's construction code act to prohibit local enforcing agencies from requiring air tightness testing for commercial buildings. The bill specifically prevents the director of the construction code from creating rules that mandate this type of test to verify the continuity of a building's envelope. It directly affects commercial property owners and builders by removing a potential regulatory requirement for verifying how well a structure seals against air leakage. This legislation is tied to House Bill 6304 and will not take effect unless that companion bill is also enacted into law.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyProhibits air tightness testing for commercial buildings, which weakens energy efficiency standards and reduces the ability to verify building envelope performance.60% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prohibits mandatory air tightness testing for commercial buildings, weakening construction standards that affect housing quality and energy efficiency.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

Sponsor Steve Carra (R) · 4 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · Michigan · Senate Jul 29, 2026

SB 1125: Housing: residential; limitations on rental property owned by certain businesses; provide for. Amends title of 1972 PA 284 (MCL 450.1101 - 450.2098) & adds sec. 262. TIE BAR WITH: SB 1127'26

Michigan Senate Bill 1125 prohibits private equity firms from leasing single-family homes to residential tenants if they own five or more such properties within a single municipality or ten or more across the state. The bill defines a private equity firm as a corporation that pools capital from investors and manages real estate assets for profit, while broadly defining single-family homes to include detached houses, semidetached buildings, and units in multi-unit structures like duplexes or condominiums. Violations of this leasing restriction are subject to civil fines of up to $100,000, which can be pursued by county prosecutors or the state attorney general. Any collected fines must be deposited into a community housing stability fund, and the bill only takes effect if its companion measure, Senate Bill 1127, is also enacted into law.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prohibits private equity firms from leasing single-family homes if they exceed ownership thresholds, restricting housing development and investment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

Sponsor Mary Cavanagh (D)

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 27, 2026

HB 6269: Use tax: exemptions; exemption for building materials purchased for the construction of a new single-family residence; provide for. TIE BAR WITH: HB 6270'26

Michigan House Bill 6269 amends the state's use tax act to exempt qualified building materials from taxation when purchased for the construction of new single-family residences or small multi-family homes with up to four units. This exemption applies to both home owners and developers, as well as contractors building for others, provided a valid building permit is in place at the time of purchase. The bill includes safeguards that require taxpayers to pay back any exempted taxes if the materials are not used for the intended residence, if the project is abandoned within 15 months, or if the building permit expires before a certificate of occupancy is issued. Additionally, the state Department of Treasury must submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how this tax break affects housing construction, job creation, and state revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesThe bill creates a specific use tax exemption for building materials, which reduces state tax revenue and provides a fiscal benefit to home builders and developers.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts building materials from use tax for new single-family and small multi-family homes, lowering construction costs to encourage housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Tax Incentives Building Codes

Sponsor Matt Bierlein (R) · 5 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 11, 2026

HB 6230: Civil procedure: execution; procedures for collection of judgments; revise. Amends secs. 4011, 4012, 4015, 4031, 4061a, 6023, 6027, 6059 & 6104 of 1961 PA 236 (MCL 600.4011 et seq.) & adds secs. 4001a, 4032, 4033, 6001a, 6023b, 6023c, 6023d, 6023e, 6023f & 6023g.

Michigan House Bill 6230 comprehensively revises the state's civil procedure laws regarding debt collection, garnishment, and property exemptions to better protect individual consumers. The bill significantly increases the dollar amounts of protected assets, such as raising the household goods exemption from $1,000 to $5,000 and the homestead exemption to $125,000, while also establishing a new earnings protection that limits wage garnishment to the lesser of 15% of weekly income or the amount exceeding 35 times the minimum wage. It introduces specific protections for financial accounts by requiring banks to identify and shield funds originating from exempt sources like public assistance or tax credits over a 90-day period, and it mandates that courts provide debtors with clear notices about their rights to claim exemptions before any property seizure occurs. Additionally, the legislation creates a mechanism for periodic inflation adjustments to these exemption limits and restricts the state treasurer from intercepting specific earned income tax credits when collecting consumer debts.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases the homestead exemption to $125,000 and limits wage garnishment, directly protecting property rights and tenant financial stability.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases wage protection limits and raises asset exemptions for debtors, directly strengthening financial security and rights for workers facing garnishment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes Minimum Wage

Sponsor Kara Hope (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

passed · Michigan · House Aug 26, 2026

HB 6243: Property: land sales; prohibition of purchase of residential property by certain businesses; modify. Amends secs. 3 & 7 of 2026 PA 32 (MCL 125.853 & 1125.857).

HB 6243 amends Michigan law to prohibit large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, with the restriction applying to entities that control more than 100 such properties and manage at least $375 million in assets. The bill defines specific exceptions that allow these investors to continue buying homes through build-to-rent programs, renovate-to-rent initiatives that meet structural standards, and homeownership assistance schemes that offer financial support or credit reporting benefits to renters. Additionally, the legislation permits acquisitions resulting from foreclosure or loss mitigation efforts, provided the properties are sold within a commercially reasonable timeframe, and allows for the transfer of homes already owned by these investors prior to the law's effective date.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prohibits large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, restricting housing development and market participation by major entities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Mortgages Renters

Sponsor Bryan Posthumus (R)

Track