SB 778 amends Michigan's vehicle code (MCL 257.309) to require driver's license applicants to answer at least two questions about approaching stationary emergency vehicles during written knowledge tests. This change directly affects all new and renewing drivers in Michigan who undergo state licensing examinations. The bill adds this specific provision to the existing testing requirements, ensuring applicants learn the legal "slow-down and move-over" rules for emergency vehicles. The amendment does not alter other testing components like driving skills tests or background checks.
SB 779 requires Michigan driver education programs to include two new topics in their segment 2 curriculum: (1) instruction on organ, tissue, and eye donation registration, using materials developed with the state organ procurement organization, and (2) teaching drivers how to safely approach and pass stationary emergency vehicles under Michigan's slow-down and move-over law (MCL 257.653a). This applies directly to all driver education providers and students enrolled in segment 2 courses. The bill adds these requirements to existing curriculum standards, such as minimum driving hours and classroom scheduling. It does not change licensing rules but mandates specific content within driver training programs.
SB 780 prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies in Michigan from entering into, modifying, or renewing federal immigration enforcement agreements under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. It directly affects the Michigan State Police and all city, village, township, and county police departments. The bill’s key provision bans these specific agreements starting on its effective date, preventing local police from collaborating with federal immigration authorities on enforcement. This policy change shifts local law enforcement focus away from federal immigration enforcement partnerships.
SB 781 creates a special Upper Peninsula vehicle registration plate that drivers can choose instead of standard plates. Vehicle owners pay additional fees ($25 for new plates, $10 for renewals) that fund a dedicated grant program. The money supports Upper Peninsula projects focused on commerce, arts, and history through grants administered by the newly created Upper Peninsula Board. The bill establishes the Board (appointed by the governor) to manage grants and a Plate Commission to design the special plate, with funds disbursed annually starting September 2028.
This resolution formally recognizes February 2026 as Black History Month in Michigan. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or groups, as it is a symbolic gesture of commemoration. The resolution affirms Michigan's commitment to honoring African-American contributions to history, culture, and the ongoing pursuit of equality. It aligns with longstanding national recognition of Black History Month, which began in 1976.
This Senate Resolution (SR 95) symbolically recognizes February 11, 2026, as "UAW White Shirt Day" to commemorate the 89th anniversary of the UAW's first contract with General Motors and the 1937 Flint Sit-Down Strike. It honors the UAW's history, including the origin of the "White Shirt Day" tradition (starting in 1948), where members wear white shirts to symbolize equal respect for workers. The resolution directly affects UAW members, retirees, and Michigan communities by formally acknowledging their historical contributions to labor rights and the state's economy. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding policy impact or new requirements.
House Bill 4445 proposes to allow individuals to use bait for hunting deer in Michigan during the open deer seasons. It amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act by introducing a specific definition for "deer or elk baiting," which refers to depositing feed to aid in taking these animals. The bill also eliminates the requirement for the Natural Resources Commission to issue orders regulating general deer and elk feeding, and removes the associated definition from state law. This change would explicitly permit deer baiting for hunting while removing state-level regulation over general deer and elk feeding.
SB 495 requires Michigan public schools, districts, and academies to develop and biennially review comprehensive emergency operations plans. These plans must address school violence, threats, fire, intruders, mental health training for teachers, security improvements, active violence protocols, and pupil reunification. The bill mandates that plans include specific guidelines listed in subsection (3), such as vulnerability assessments and protocols for wireless device use during emergencies. It applies directly to all public school buildings and requires collaboration with local law enforcement agencies.
HB 4907 amends Michigan's Skilled Trades Regulation Act to ensure certain boiler professionals can continue performing essential safety work. It specifically prohibits the department from creating rules that restrict Class 5B boiler installers or Class IV boiler repairers from conducting routine maintenance and safety device testing on boiler systems. This directly affects licensed boiler technicians who install or repair industrial/commercial heating systems, guaranteeing they can perform these safety checks without new regulatory barriers. The bill clarifies existing practice rather than creating new requirements, focusing on maintaining safe operations for facilities relying on boiler systems.
HB 4897 creates new licensing categories for boiler installers in Michigan, establishing five distinct classes (2B through 5B) and a separate class P license. These classes define specific installation capabilities, such as Class 2B for small boilers and Class 5B for nuclear boiler systems. The bill requires that anyone installing or altering boilers must hold the appropriate license class, and permits for such work cannot be issued without it. This directly affects boiler installers, their employers, and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, which will enforce these licensing requirements.
HB 4898 creates specific license classifications for boiler repairers in Michigan, defining what each license class (I through IV and P) can legally repair. It specifies that Class I license holders can work on low-pressure boilers, while Class IV holders can handle nuclear heat source boilers and higher-level repairs. The bill requires all boiler repair work to be performed by a licensed individual or under their supervision, updating permit requirements under Section 941 to mandate proper licensing. This directly affects boiler repair workers, contractors, and businesses needing to comply with these new licensing standards for boiler maintenance and repairs.
SB 547 requires healthcare providers (like doctors and hospitals) to submit medical records and comply with insurance reviews for accident-related care under Michigan's no-fault insurance. It creates a formal process for insurers to request explanations for treatments deemed excessive, with providers able to appeal decisions to the state department. The bill also penalizes providers who submit false information during reviews as fraudulent insurance acts. These changes apply to all healthcare providers offering covered services and aim to standardize how insurers evaluate medical care against medical guidelines. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Finance Committee.
