HB 5277 amends Michigan's state procurement rules to prioritize Michigan-based businesses, biobased products, and qualified disabled veteran-owned businesses in state contracts. It requires state agencies to give up to 15% preference to disabled veteran businesses when they are the lowest bidders and sets a goal for 5% of annual state spending on goods/services to go to these businesses. The bill mandates annual reporting on disabled veteran contracting progress and includes new requirements for state contracts to include anti-boycott clauses regarding strategic partners. These changes directly affect all state agencies purchasing goods/services and businesses seeking state contracts.
HB 5268 amends Michigan law to require the state veterans' facility ombudsman to directly forward reports finding verified abuse, neglect, or exploitation in veterans' facilities to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). This change affects veterans' facilities and their residents, as it ensures LARA - responsible for facility licensing and oversight - receives these reports immediately. The bill modifies Section 10 of the existing ombudsman law to mandate this specific reporting pathway when abuse findings are deemed valid, rather than only sharing internally with the department of military and veterans affairs. This creates a clearer accountability step for serious facility safety concerns.
HB 5282 creates a new program to provide financial bonuses to Michigan veterans who served during the Vietnam-era period from September 1, 1973, to May 7, 1975, and met specific residency and service requirements. Combat veterans (those missing in action or eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal) receive a one-time $600 payment, while non-combat veterans receive $15 per month (capped at $450 total). Surviving spouses, children, or dependent parents of deceased or missing veterans can apply for these benefits through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The program is funded by a newly created "Vietnam veteran era bonus extension fund" administered by the state, with application requirements including proof of honorable service and Michigan residency.
HB 5274 creates a sales tax exemption for qualified disabled veterans purchasing vehicles. Beginning January 1, 2026, disabled veterans who meet the state's definition (as outlined in the General Property Tax Act) will not pay the 4% state sales tax on new or used vehicles bought for their personal use and registered in their name. This directly affects disabled veterans seeking to purchase a vehicle for personal transportation. The exemption applies specifically to the sales tax on the vehicle itself, not other taxes or fees.
HB 5278 amends Michigan's identification card law to include individuals who served in the NOAA Commissioned Corps (NOAACOC) or the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (USPHSCC) in the state's definition of "veteran" for identification cards. This change would allow these service members to request a "veteran" designation on their state ID, similar to military veterans, upon providing proof of service and discharge. The bill requires the Secretary of State to verify service records with relevant agencies and issue the designation in an appropriate format. This policy change directly affects NOAA and USPHSCC personnel seeking to identify their service on official state IDs.
HB 5265 creates Michigan's Veterans Service Animal Grant Program, providing financial assistance to eligible veterans for obtaining service animals. It directly affects veterans diagnosed with service-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are matched with service animals through IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The program, administered by the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, uses a new state fund to cover costs like training and acquisition, with grants awarded based on specific eligibility criteria. The fund is established in the state treasury and can only be used for program grants and administration, as outlined in the bill.
HB 5276 extends eligibility for Michigan's Vietnam veteran era bonus to veterans who received the National Defense Service Medal between September 1, 1973, and May 7, 1975. It adds Section 6a to the existing law, creating a new eligibility path for veterans meeting the service period requirements and medal award criteria. The bill also extends the application deadline for these veterans to May 7, 2028, instead of the original 1980 cutoff. This change directly affects Michigan veterans who served during the Vietnam era and were awarded the specified medal during the extended timeframe.
HB 5272 proposes to create a new property tax credit for disabled veterans and surviving spouses (widows/widowers) of disabled veterans who rent or lease a home in Michigan. It amends Michigan’s income tax law to add this credit and specifically exclude it from the state’s income tax cap. This would directly benefit qualifying renters who are disabled veterans or surviving spouses, providing them with a tax reduction they currently cannot access under existing rules. The bill does not change other tax credits or the overall tax structure.
This resolution urges the federal government not to extend two Department of Energy emergency orders (202-25-3 and 202-25-7) that are preventing the planned closure of Michigan's J.H. Campbell Power Plant. The orders, issued to address an alleged energy emergency, conflict with MISO's approval for the plant's suspension by 2028 and have already cost Consumers Energy ratepayers $29 million in 38 days. The resolution highlights that continuing operations imposes financial burdens, worsens air/water pollution (releasing millions of pounds of pollutants annually), and causes estimated $389-879 million in annual health impacts. It directly affects Michigan ratepayers, public health, and environmental quality in the plant's local area.
This resolution urges Congress to use existing legal authority to restrict U.S. arms sales to Israel and directs the State Department to reinstate visitor visas for Gaza residents, particularly for children requiring urgent medical care. It cites concerns about humanitarian conditions in Gaza, including famine and blocked medical access, as justification for these actions. The resolution references the Genocide Convention and recent events, such as the suspension of medical visas in August 2025. As a non-binding resolution, it does not alter law but calls for specific congressional and executive actions.
SB 715 amends Michigan’s Strategic Fund Act to require the Michigan Strategic Fund to comply with the federal Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) when making investments. This means the fund cannot use state money to support economic development projects involving goods produced using forced labor from Xinjiang, China. The bill directly affects the Michigan Strategic Fund (which manages state economic development grants) and businesses receiving those funds. It adds a new requirement (Section 7c) to prevent state resources from indirectly supporting forced labor, aligning with federal law. The bill is currently pending review in the Senate Finance Committee.
SB 706 modifies Michigan's emergency medical services (EMS) licensing rules to expand fee waivers for volunteer personnel. It allows EMS workers certified as volunteers by their life support agency (which doesn't charge for services) to avoid paying renewal or late fees, provided they maintain their volunteer status. If a volunteer later becomes employed as a licensee, they must then pay the standard fees. The bill also removes the requirement for EMS personnel to maintain national registry status to renew their licenses. This directly affects volunteer EMS providers in Michigan who work for non-charging agencies.
