SB 251 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Water supply: systems and utilities; water affordability and transparency act; create. Creates new act. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0248'25, SB 0250'25

SB 251 proposes a new law requiring water utilities to provide clearer billing information and establish affordability programs for low-income households. It directly affects public water systems by mandating transparent rate structures and creating a process for discounted service rates. The bill aims to make water costs more predictable and accessible through concrete requirements for utility reporting and customer assistance. Specific implementation details are still under review by the committee.

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 revised to rename the legislation and add new definitions for terms like 'customer' and 'shutoff' to ensure clarity. The scope of the bill was narrowed by removing a mandate for state agencies to create affordability criteria, replacing it with a requirement for the new Office to track provider data. Additionally, the bill now requires the department to develop a standardized report form by April 1, 2028, to improve data transparency.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the direct mandate for all state departments to establish affordability criteria; this responsibility is now shifted to the newly created Office of Residential Water Affordability for data tracking and reporting.

SCOPE

Removed the requirement for all state departments and agencies to establish residential water affordability criteria, shifting the focus to data tracking and reporting.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for terms including 'charges', 'customer', 'customer class', 'delinquency', 'delinquent account', 'local or statewide health emergency', 'rates', 'residential customer', 'restoration', 'sewage', 'shutoff', 'water bill', and 'wholesale provider'.

Modified the definition of 'Residential water affordability program' to remove a specific reference to the Social Welfare Act, broadening the scope of what qualifies.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the department to develop a standardized provider report form by April 1, 2028, detailing provider types, services, wholesale rates, and customer classes.

Removed the conditional enactment clause that required the passage of Senate Bills 248 and 250 for this bill to take effect.

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 ROSEMARY BAYER

upper

1 primary · 8 co-sponsors