SB 248 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Human services: services or financial assistance; water rate affordability fund; provide for. Amends 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.1 - 400.119b) by adding sec. 14t. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0250'25, SB 0252'25

SB 248 creates a water rate affordability fund to provide financial assistance for human services, directly supporting low-income households struggling with water utility costs. The bill amends Michigan's human services code to establish this fund, which would help cover water bills for eligible residents. Currently in committee review (reported favorably with a substitute on November 5, 2025), the bill has not yet been voted on by the full chamber. It focuses on a concrete policy mechanism - funding for water bill assistance - without specifying eligibility details or funding sources in the provided context.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 23, 2025 Last action Nov 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → Substitute (S-2) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add new provisions for the Low-Income Water Residential Affordability Fund, including rules on fund retention, debt protection for payments, and specific disbursement purposes. Key changes include shifting the annual fee adjustment date from January to March, adding a new fee option for existing assistance programs, and clarifying how funds must be collected and remitted.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded by adding new administrative rules and fee structures for the affordability fund, while maintaining the core purpose of supporting low-income water customers.

FISCAL

Added a provision stating that money remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year stays in the fund and does not lapse to the general fund.

Added a new fee option allowing providers to charge a standard fee minus the average amount customers previously paid for assistance programs.

ADDED

Added a new exemption clause stating that payments from the fund to providers are protected from debt collection, garnishment, or legal processes to collect debts.

TIMELINE

Changed the annual fee adjustment date from January 1 to March 1 for the years 2026 through 2030.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that funds collected from the fee must be remitted to the state treasurer within 30 days after the end of the billing cycle.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Nov 5, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-2)

upper

Nov 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-2) 11/4/2025

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HOUSING AND HUMAN SERVICES

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR STEPHANIE CHANG

upper

1 primary · 8 co-sponsors