SB 1021 changes how Michigan political parties select candidates for secretary of state and attorney general starting in 2027. Instead of relying solely on party conventions, the bill requires these offices to be filled through a primary election where voters choose nominees, while the lieutenant governor remains a convention-only selection. To qualify for the primary ballot, candidates must gather signatures from registered voters across at least half of the state's congressional districts. The law also adds rules for withdrawing from the race, handling vacancies if a candidate dies, and ensuring blank spaces appear on ballots if no candidate is selected. Additionally, the bill mandates a separate primary election for these offices held in August before the November general election.
This bill proposes declaring June 2026 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month throughout the state of Michigan. It aims to recognize the history, culture, and contributions of LGBTQ+ residents while commemorating the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. The resolution encourages all Michiganders to acknowledge the value of diversity and the specific roles LGBTQ+ individuals play in the state's economy and communities.
This proposed constitutional amendment would change how the secretary of state and attorney general are nominated, shifting the process from political party conventions to primary elections starting in 2027. It also establishes new rules for the governing boards of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University, increasing their size to nine members and requiring that no more than five members belong to the same political party. Under the plan, the governor would appoint these board members with the advice and consent of the Senate, while also ensuring at least one member comes from the university's alumni association and, for Michigan State University, one member has practical farming expertise. Additionally, the amendment sets specific term limits for board members and requires them to comply with state ethics laws, replacing the current eight-member boards with these new structures.
This House Concurrent Resolution formally requests the United States Congress to convene a constitutional convention under Article V of the Constitution. The proposal asks for specific amendments designed to limit federal spending, reduce federal jurisdiction, and cap the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress. It does not enact new laws directly but serves as a procedural step to initiate a broader change to the nation's founding document. The resolution was introduced by Representative Luke Meerman and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
This bill amends Michigan's natural resources laws to update regulations on commercial fishing, including allowable catch limits and quota percentages for various fish species. It establishes stricter record-keeping requirements for fish dealers and mandates that commercial fishers report their catch immediately after each fishing season ends. The legislation also introduces new financial penalties for illegal fishing, requiring offenders to pay fines based on the weight of the fish taken, and sets a rule that commercial licenses will be permanently revoked if a fisher commits five specific violations within a five-year period. Additionally, the bill rescinds several outdated administrative rules related to commercial fishing operations.
This Michigan bill requires the state attorney general to submit quarterly reports to both houses of the legislature whenever litigation costs exceed $250,000, with more detailed reporting required for cases exceeding $1,000,000. The reports must include financial accounts, explanations of the legal cases, and justifications for the expenditures, ensuring lawmakers can track how state funds are being used in legal proceedings. If the attorney general fails to submit these reports, legislators can seek court orders to compel compliance, and the auditor general must investigate and report on any violations of the new requirements. The bill establishes clear thresholds for transparency and creates enforcement mechanisms to ensure accountability in state legal spending.
This bill allows the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to partner with nonprofit sportsmen's organizations to auction up to five Pure Michigan hunt licenses each year to the highest bidders. The licenses available include elk, bear, turkey, antlerless deer, and first-pick waterfowl hunting opportunities, with any individual able to place a bid. The sportsmen's organization would receive a 7.5% cut of the auction proceeds, while the remaining funds go to the state's game and fish protection account. The legislation defines eligible organizations as tax-exempt nonprofits focused on conservation and outdoor recreation, and gives the department authority to issue necessary orders for implementation.
SB 304 updates regulations for ferry services by amending two 1899 laws (sections in chapters IX and XVI of LA 437). It directly affects ferry operators and passengers by changing how ferry operations are governed. The bill requires voter approval via referendum before these regulatory changes take effect. This is a procedural update to existing law, not a new policy.
SB 608 repeals 27 specific sections of Michigan's 2020 Industrial Hemp Growers Act (MCL 333.29101 et seq.), removing existing administrative provisions related to the state's industrial hemp program. This bill directly affects hemp program administrators and growers who would have been subject to the repealed sections, which covered licensing, testing, and operational requirements. The repeal takes effect on February 1, 2026, streamlining the regulatory framework by eliminating outdated or redundant administrative language. The bill does not create new rules or alter hemp cultivation policies.
SB 609 creates a dedicated "industrial hemp fund" within Michigan's state treasury to manage fees and funding for the state's industrial hemp program. It specifies that fees from hemp licensing (under Section 511) and other sources must be deposited into this fund, with money carrying over annually instead of lapsing. The bill requires the state Department to administer the fund and use it to operate the hemp program, but sets a clear end date: all remaining funds must transfer to the agriculture licensing fund by October 1, 2026. This bill modifies the financial administration of Michigan's hemp program without changing hemp cultivation rules or directly affecting growers.
HB 5099 modifies how funds in Michigan's convention facility development fund are distributed. It directs specific annual payments to metropolitan authorities operating convention facilities (including $7 million for 2020-2021 due to COVID-19 impacts), establishes a formula for distributing liquor tax revenue to counties based on convention hotel presence, and allocates up to $4 million for one-time grants to publicly owned convention centers negatively affected by the pandemic. The bill also specifies funding for street railway operations and sets reporting requirements for grant recipients. These changes affect convention facilities, local governments, and tourism-related infrastructure funded through this dedicated tax revenue stream.
HB 5100 amends Michigan's Regional Convention Facility Authority Act to update governance rules for boards managing convention facilities. It requires all board actions to have unanimous consent (previously needing at least 4 of 5 members), mandates strict adherence to open meetings and public record laws, and adds new procurement rules favoring local vendors within the authority's region for purchases under $5,000. The bill directly affects regional convention authority boards, requiring them to follow clearer procedures for meetings, voting, and purchasing. These changes aim to increase transparency and prioritize local economic participation in convention facility operations.
