State: other; state control of certain electric and natural gas utilities; require. Amends secs. 15 & 29, art. VII & adds sec. 31 to art. V to the state constitution.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create a state public utility in Michigan that would take over all electric and natural gas generation, distribution, and transmission facilities currently owned by private investor-owned utilities. The amendment establishes a new State Public Utility Board with the power to purchase these assets using bonds, set all utility rates, and manage the system without needing local government consent for infrastructure placement. Within 18 months of taking effect, the board must implement a plan to lower rates for low-income residential customers, build electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and upgrade the distribution network for renewable energy. Additionally, the bill requires all existing private utilities to divest their systems to the state and grants the new state utility the right to use public rights-of-way without obtaining local franchises.