SB 423 ends specific programs that helped homeowners pay overdue property taxes and avoid foreclosure. It directly affects property owners with delinquent taxes who previously could use these reduced payment options. The bill modifies existing law by setting expiration dates ("sunsetting") for these programs, meaning they will no longer be available after the specified dates. This change removes temporary relief measures, requiring affected homeowners to pay full delinquent taxes or face standard foreclosure processes.
SB 26 amends Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify rules for public agencies managing municipal forestland sold under specific state land programs. It requires public agencies to use such land only for forestry or recreation, and if sold later, mandates a public hearing and specifies that 50% of sale proceeds must go to the state treasury (first $18 million to the general fund, excess to the fire protection fund). This directly affects public agencies like municipalities or school districts that own forestland previously acquired for recreational or forestry purposes. The bill updates procedural requirements for land sales and fund distribution without changing the core purpose of the land use.
HB 4572 is an appropriations bill that allocates funding for Michigan's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. It establishes the specific budget amount the department can spend on military and veterans programs during this period. The bill directly affects the department's operations and the veterans and military personnel it serves through its funded services. As a routine budget measure, it creates the legal framework for spending but does not change existing programs or policies.
This bill provides additional funding for capital projects managed by Michigan's Department of Natural Resources for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The legislation establishes an appropriation act to allocate money for specific infrastructure and resource development initiatives within the department. It sets conditions for how the funds can be spent and ensures the appropriations are properly authorized for use during the designated fiscal period. The measure directly impacts state budget management and the operational capacity of natural resource agencies.
SB 559 creates a new Revenue Sharing Trust Fund in Michigan's Department of Treasury, effective October 1, 2025. The fund will receive money from the general sales tax, donations, and investment earnings, with balances carrying over annually instead of lapsing. It mandates specific distributions: $299 million to cities, villages, and townships (based on prior eligibility regardless of new criteria), $261 million to counties (similarly based on prior eligibility), and remaining funds distributed through three formulas measuring taxable value, population type, and yield equalization. This directly affects all local governments in Michigan by changing how they receive state revenue-sharing payments.
SB 561 amends Michigan's sales tax law to change how revenue is distributed. It allocates 8.6% of the 4% general sales tax (starting October 1, 2025) to a new Revenue Sharing Trust Fund for distribution to cities, villages, townships, and counties. The bill also directs computer software sales tax revenue ($9-12 million annually) to the Michigan Health Initiative Fund and splits aviation fuel tax revenue (35% to the state aeronautics fund, 65% to airport funds). These changes affect local governments, public schools (via school aid fund allocations), airports, and health programs, without altering the overall tax rates.
SB 584 would change Michigan's tax law to make it optional for pension administrators to withhold income tax from pension or annuity payments. Currently, pension providers must withhold tax under Section 703 of the Income Tax Act, but this bill would allow them to choose whether to withhold. The change directly affects pension administrators (like retirement plan providers) and recipients of pension payments, as it removes a mandatory withholding requirement. The bill amends Section 703 of the 1967 Income Tax Act (MCL 206.703) without altering other withholding rules for employers, flow-through entities, or casinos.
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.
SB 689 amends Michigan's farmland preservation law to expand when landowners can give up (relinquish) farmland from development rights agreements. It adds two new scenarios: 1) land with pre-existing structures (up to 5 acres), and 2) land for a farm operator's residence (up to 2 acres), both requiring approval from local government and the state land use agency. If relinquishment occurs, landowners must repay tax credits received under the agreement, plus interest, via a lien recorded against the property. This directly affects farmers with existing farmland preservation agreements who wish to develop or use portions of their land for specific purposes.
SB 685 amends Michigan's farmland tax credit law (MCL 324.101-324.90106) by adding Section 36109b. It expands eligibility for the farmland tax credit to properties with existing legal agreements (like easements or leases) that were in place before a specific date, even if those arrangements complicate ownership. This change directly affects farmers and landowners who hold farmland subject to multiple pre-existing agreements, allowing them to qualify for the tax credit they previously might have been excluded from. The bill passed unanimously in the Michigan Senate on December 2, 2025, after being referred to the Agriculture Committee.
