This bill allows Michigan customers to install small, portable solar power systems on their property without needing approval from their electric provider or paying installation fees. It defines these systems as plug-in photovoltaic devices that produce up to 1,200 watts and connect through standard electrical outlets, while protecting providers from liability for any damage caused by customer installations. The law requires customers to notify their electric provider within 30 days of installation using a form developed by the state commission, which must include details like the system's capacity and address. Electric providers cannot require additional equipment or charge fees for these systems, and providers must not approve or reject their use. The bill amends Michigan's Clean and Renewable Energy Act to formalize these rules for small-scale solar generation.
This Michigan bill establishes a new Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Task Force within the state legislative council to address prevention, identification, treatment, and support for individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. The task force will be composed of voting members including parents of affected children, medical and mental health professionals, educators, and legislators, along with ex officio members from state agencies. Its primary duties include developing a statewide strategic plan to reduce prenatal alcohol exposure, reviewing and recommending improvements to existing programs, creating educational resources for schools, and submitting annual reports to the governor and legislature on needs assessments and funding recommendations.
This bill establishes the official legislative schedule for the 2026 session, specifying when the House and Senate will reconvene after their respective adjournments. It directs the House to resume on April 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., and the Senate to resume on the same day at 10:00 a.m., following their March adjournments. As a procedural measure, it affects only the internal calendar operations of the legislative bodies without impacting public policy or external stakeholders.
This Senate resolution designates April 2026 as Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month to raise public awareness about individuals with limb loss or limb difference. The bill directly affects people living with limb loss, their families, healthcare providers, and the general public by promoting education and support during the designated month. Key provisions include recognizing the prevalence of limb loss, highlighting prevention strategies like diabetes management and safety practices, and acknowledging the importance of prosthetic care for daily living and independence. The resolution serves as a commemorative measure rather than establishing new laws or funding requirements.
HB 5455 enacts Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, allowing physicians licensed in participating states to more easily obtain licenses in Michigan and other member states. This directly affects physicians seeking to practice across state lines, particularly through telehealth or in rural areas with healthcare shortages. The bill establishes a streamlined "expedited license" process for eligible physicians who meet specific criteria (like holding a full license in another member state and having no disciplinary history), while requiring physicians to follow the licensing rules of the state where the patient is located during care. It does not change Michigan's existing medical practice laws but creates a new pathway for multi-state licensure through a standardized compact process.
HB 4044 designates the wood duck (*Aix sponsa*) as Michigan's official state duck. This symbolic bill establishes a state symbol without changing laws, policies, or affecting any specific group or community. It simply adds the wood duck to Michigan's list of official state emblems, following standard procedural naming practices for state symbols.
SB 581 updates definitions in Michigan's downtown development law to clarify how tax increment financing (TIF) programs operate. It specifically revises the definition of "downtown district" to allow multiple geographic areas within a business district under certain conditions (like inter-municipal agreements), defines "captured assessed value" for TIF calculations, and limits "catalyst development projects" to one per authority (requiring $300 million+ investment in cities over 600,000 population). These changes directly affect municipalities operating downtown development authorities that use TIF to fund redevelopment. The bill focuses on precise terminology to ensure consistent application of existing TIF rules, without creating new funding mechanisms.
SB 704 amends Michigan's cannabis law to allow the state's Cannabis Regulatory Agency to operate a reference laboratory and handle cannabis for testing and research. The bill specifically authorizes the agency to collect, transport, possess, test, and conduct research with cannabis to support its investigations and develop testing methods. This directly affects the Cannabis Regulatory Agency, granting it new operational authority to establish and run its own testing lab. The change does not alter business licensing rules but provides the agency with enhanced tools to enforce cannabis regulations and ensure product safety.
This bill requires nonprofit health care corporations in Michigan to review mental health provider applications within 60 calendar days and either approve or deny them in writing. It mandates that corporations send written requests for missing information within 10 business days if an application is incomplete, and allows a 15-day extension only for serious issues like sanctions or felony convictions. The legislation also ensures that providers can receive payment for services rendered during the credentialing review period if they meet specific criteria, including having no license sanctions and professional liability insurance. Additionally, the bill defines which mental health professionals are covered, including physicians, psychologists, social workers, and therapists.
This bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to review and decide on new mental health provider applications within 60 calendar days of receiving a complete application, or within 45 days if an extension is granted for complex cases like license sanctions. If an insurer fails to approve or deny an application within the required timeframe, the provider must still be reimbursed for covered services submitted after the deadline, using either the insurer's standard in-network rate or the median rate paid to similar providers. The law also mandates that insurers send written requests for missing information within 10 business days and add approved providers to their payment systems and directories promptly. These rules apply to all licensed mental health professionals, including physicians, psychologists, social workers, and therapists, and cover both initial applications and recredentialing.
This bill increases the annual allocation for administrative expenses in Michigan's Farm Produce Insurance Fund from $500,000 to $950,000. The change directly affects the fund's management by allowing more money to cover operational costs such as premium refunds, enforcement, record-keeping, and other approved expenses. The bill does not alter the fund's existing investment rules or claim payment procedures, but it updates the specific dollar limit for administrative spending. This adjustment is intended to provide greater financial flexibility for the board managing the insurance program.
This bill requires electric utilities in Michigan to establish worker transition programs that provide training, job placement assistance, and fair wages when restructuring or transferring ownership of facilities. It mandates that acquiring entities in utility sales offer employment to existing workers for at least 30 months before hiring outside replacements and must maintain current wage rates and benefits during that period. The legislation also directs the Public Service Commission to set service quality and reliability standards for utilities, including prohibiting extra fees for credit card payments and requiring at least one free payment option for residential customers. Utilities must annually report on their compliance with these standards, and the commission will review performance data to ensure proper system operation and maintenance.
