HB 5440 would allow Michigan taxpayers to voluntarily contribute $5 or more from their state income tax refund to a new "homeless advocacy fund" starting with the 2026 tax year. The bill amends the tax code to add this specific checkoff option on income tax forms, alongside existing charitable designations like the Children's Trust Fund. Funds designated for this new fund would be distributed directly to homelessness services, with the requirement that the fund must raise at least $50,000 annually to remain on the tax form. This change affects all Michigan taxpayers who file individual income tax returns and choose to allocate a portion of their refund to this new cause.
HB 5446 modifies Michigan's Public Health Code to clarify how naturopathic doctors may use professional titles and expand their practice authority. It requires naturopathic doctors to specify "of naturopathic medicine" when using "doctor" titles (e.g., "Dr. Jane Smith, of naturopathic medicine"). The bill also adds a provision requiring the state to set annual fees for naturopathic licensure to cover administrative costs. Additionally, it explicitly includes "licensed doctor of naturopathic medicine" in the definition of "prescriber," allowing them to prescribe medications under the same framework as other licensed health professionals. These changes directly affect naturopathic doctors seeking licensure or practicing in Michigan.
HB 4099 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to expand when public bodies can hold electronic meetings. It permanently allows agricultural commodity groups (like the Michigan Bean Commission or potato industry commissions), municipal retirement systems, and energy joint agencies to meet electronically under any circumstances - no longer limited to emergencies. The bill requires public bodies to post 18-hour advance notice online with clear participation details, ensure two-way communication during meetings, and publish agendas 2 hours before. It applies to all affected public bodies and ensures transparency for public participation, including accessibility for people with disabilities. This law took effect after being signed by the Governor in December 2025.
HB 4401 removes the expiration date for Michigan's annual pheasant hunting license requirement, which was set to end on January 1, 2026. The bill maintains the current $25 fee for the license and keeps existing exemptions, such as for hunters on private land (outside hunting access programs), at licensed preserves, in the Upper Peninsula, or holding lifetime licenses. It also preserves the existing funding mechanism, directing license fees into a dedicated pheasant subaccount for purchasing and releasing pheasants on state land. The change ensures the licensing rule remains in effect indefinitely without altering other provisions of the law.
HB 4262 empowers Michigan's attorney general to investigate and enforce violations of the state's Event Online Ticket Sales Act. It directly affects online ticket sellers who misrepresent ticket prices, availability, or fees. Key provisions include imposing civil fines of up to $5,000 per violated ticket, allowing the attorney general to seek court injunctions against ongoing violations, and enabling recovery of fines and restitution. The bill adds enforcement tools to the existing ticket sales law without changing the underlying consumer protections.
HB 4493 amends Michigan's Food Law (MCL 289.4105) to expand licensure exemptions for food businesses. It specifically adds "certain disabled individuals" to the list of entities exempt from standard food establishment licensing requirements. This change allows disabled individuals operating qualifying food businesses - such as those selling whole fruits/vegetables or unprocessed products - to avoid full licensure under the same conditions as existing exemptions. The bill modifies Section 4105's existing exemption framework without altering other provisions or creating new regulatory burdens.
HB 4543 changes how Michigan's home heating credit is adjusted annually. It replaces the use of the national U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) with the Detroit Consumer Price Index to calculate annual credit adjustments. This means the credit amount for eligible households will now reflect local cost-of-living changes in Detroit instead of national averages. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate income Michigan residents who claim the home heating credit on their state tax returns.
HB 4122 amends Michigan's food code to clarify requirements for cottage food operations, which are small-scale home-based businesses making non-potentially hazardous foods like baked goods and jams. The bill specifically updates definitions in Section 1105 to clarify rules about nonnutritive substances in confectionery products (e.g., candy), ensuring such substances must serve a functional purpose and not deceive consumers. It modifies existing safety standards to specify that nonnutritive objects embedded in candy must not make the product unsafe or misleading. These changes directly affect Michigan cottage food businesses and their compliance with labeling and safety regulations.
HB 4285 requires Michigan schools to offer firearm safety instruction for students in grades 6-12 by September 2025. The state must create a model program (based on existing hunter safety standards) covering safe handling, cleaning, firearm types, and hunting practices, taught by certified instructors - **without bringing firearms into school buildings**. Schools may offer this as an optional extracurricular class or integrate it into existing courses, and students or parents may opt out without penalty. Completing the program counts toward the hunter safety certification needed for a hunting license. The bill directly affects all Michigan public schools and students in grades 6-12.
This bill allows Macomb Community College to obtain a special license for selling alcohol at its Sports and Expo Center Complex during regularly scheduled events. The college's governing board would receive this license from the Liquor Control Commission, bypassing standard quota limits. Alcohol sales would be restricted to scheduled conference activities only, prohibiting sales to unscheduled patrons or at unplanned events. This expands alcohol service options for college-hosted events at Macomb's venue under specific, controlled conditions.
HB 4836 amends Michigan's state school aid law to add an opt-out option for the workforce readiness assessment portion of the Michigan Merit Examination. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, students in grades 11 and 12 may elect not to take this assessment through a parent/guardian-signed waiver submitted by February 28. The bill requires the state to provide schools with an informational letter about the assessment's purpose, developed with input from business, manufacturing, and skilled trades representatives. This change directly affects Michigan high school students required to take the Michigan Merit Examination, specifically regarding the workforce readiness component.
HB 4282 amends Michigan's liquor licensing law (MCL 436.1513) to change requirements for businesses selling alcohol for on-premises consumption. It directly affects restaurants, bars, and similar establishments seeking or holding licenses to serve alcohol at their locations. The bill modifies specific statutory provisions governing these licenses but does not specify new categories or additional restrictions. This change alters the existing legal framework for these permits without altering broader licensing categories.
