SB 690 expands a state income tax credit for property taxes on farmland and open space protected by conservation agreements, such as agricultural easements or development rights agreements. Eligible farm owners - including those in partnerships, S corporations, life estates, trusts, and limited liability companies - can claim a credit for property taxes exceeding 3.5% of household income. The bill clarifies how the credit is calculated and shared among different ownership structures, requiring specific documentation like partnership agreements or trust terms to claim it. This change directly affects Michigan farmers who have conservation agreements on their land to preserve agricultural use.
SB 699 increases the annual cap on administrative spending from $1.4 million to $1.7 million for managing Michigan's Agriculture Preservation Fund. This fund supports farmland protection programs, directly affecting the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (as fund administrator), local governments receiving grants, and farmers seeking land preservation. The bill specifies that after covering administrative costs ($1.7M max annually) and local government grants, any remaining funds over $5 million can be used to purchase farmland development rights or conservation easements. These changes clarify how fund money is allocated, ensuring resources directly support farmland preservation efforts under existing state policy.
HB 4420 creates a standardized form requiring Michigan legislators to disclose any spending items they direct to specific projects or organizations. This requirement applies directly to all state legislators and state agencies when allocating funds based on legislative direction. The key mechanism mandates that this disclosure form be completed for every instance of directed spending, ensuring consistent public transparency. The bill aims to clarify and document how lawmakers influence state fund allocation without altering the underlying spending authority.
SB 596 creates a formal process for state agencies to request and monitor legislatively directed spending items within the state budget. It requires agencies to submit such requests through a defined procedure and track how funds are used, affecting state departments and legislators who direct funding. The bill amends Michigan's state finance law (MCL 18.1101-18.1594) to establish this requirement. The bill was approved by the governor and became law on November 18, 2025.
This Michigan House resolution urges the U.S. Senate to immediately pass an unconditional government funding bill (a "clean continuing resolution") to end the ongoing federal shutdown. It criticizes Senate Democrats for blocking votes on such a bill, which would restore critical services like Medicare, VA benefits, and food assistance for Michiganders affected by the 35-day shutdown. The resolution rejects the Senate's alternative proposal, calling it fiscally irresponsible due to projected $1.5 trillion in added debt. The Michigan House adopted the resolution with 54-46 support on November 6, 2025.
HB 4376 modifies Michigan's sales tax rules for trade-in values on vehicle purchases. It increases the annual adjustment for the maximum deductible trade-in value from $500 to $1,000, starting January 1, 2020. This change allows car buyers trading in vehicles to reduce the taxable sales price by more when purchasing new or used cars from dealers. The provision applies only when the trade-in value is separately stated on the sales invoice.
HB 4375 amends Michigan's Use Tax Act to limit the tax credit for trade-in value when purchasing new vehicles. It caps the deductible trade-in value at $5,000 for motor vehicles or recreational vehicles (previously $2,000, increased annually until 2018). This change directly affects vehicle buyers and dealers in transactions involving trade-ins, as it reduces the amount that can be offset against the purchase price for tax calculation purposes. The bill updates Section 2(f)(xii) of the Use Tax Act to reflect this $5,000 maximum. The change became effective immediately after the bill passed the Michigan House on October 23, 2025.
HB 4747 adds a new state income tax deduction for Michigan taxpayers who contribute to 529 education savings plans. It allows residents to subtract their 529 plan contributions from their taxable income when filing Michigan state taxes, directly benefiting families saving for education costs. The bill amends Michigan’s tax code to create this specific deduction, effective immediately after its passage on October 23, 2025. This change provides a direct financial incentive for contributing to qualified education savings accounts.
SB 565 amends Michigan's property tax reimbursement fund rules to require that unused funds from the local government reimbursement fund lapse (transfer) to the state's general fund at year-end, instead of remaining in the fund. It directly affects municipalities that receive state reimbursements for revenue lost due to small business property tax exemptions under the General Property Tax Act. The key change modifies Section 3a of the Michigan Trust Fund Act (2000 PA 489) to ensure unspent funds are returned to the state's general budget annually, rather than carrying over. This is a procedural adjustment to fund management, not a change to tax exemptions or reimbursement eligibility.
SB 166 allocates funding for K-12 public schools in the state for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It directly affects all public K-12 school districts by providing their state education budget. The bill establishes the specific financial amounts schools will receive during this fiscal period. It became law on October 7, 2025, with immediate effect (PA 0015'25).
