HB 5439 creates the "Homeless Advocacy Fund" within Michigan's Department of Treasury, funded by money from the state's individual income tax system (specifically Section 435 of the 1967 Income Tax Act). The fund will provide annual support to the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness for programs, policy improvements, and direct services aimed at ending homelessness. All money in the fund must be used solely for this purpose, with unspent funds rolling over each year instead of expiring. The bill requires companion legislation (HB 5440) to take effect.
HB 5302 creates a $5 million annual competitive grant program for recovery community organizations in Michigan to expand services for people seeking long-term recovery from substance use disorders. The bill requires the state to fund at least 19 certified local recovery groups and qualifying nonprofit associations, with each grant capped at $250,000 (or 50% of an organization’s operating budget). Priority goes to groups offering specific services like recovery navigation, workplace education, and wellness activities (e.g., support groups, nutrition programs). Grantees must report annually on fund usage, participant metrics, and budget details starting in 2027, with the program set to expire on October 1, 2031.
SB 722 amends Michigan's Commercial Rehabilitation Act to update eligibility rules for tax credits aimed at revitalizing commercial properties. It clarifies definitions of "qualified facility" (including new requirements for retail food establishments in underserved areas) and allows commercial rehabilitation districts to be smaller than 3 acres in downtowns or near qualifying food stores. The bill explicitly excludes stadiums and casinos from receiving tax benefits. These changes aim to streamline the process for property owners seeking credits while ensuring funds target specific revitalization projects.
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.
This Senate Resolution (SR 88) requests Governor Whitmer to join the federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program for K-12 education. The resolution directly addresses the governor, asking her to opt-in to a federal program that would allow Michigan taxpayers to receive a $1,700 tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations. These organizations would then provide tax-free scholarships to K-12 students in Michigan public and private schools, starting in 2027. The resolution is non-binding and seeks to encourage state participation in the federal program, which Michigan has not yet elected to join.
HB 5398 amends Michigan's General Property Tax Act to remove a tax exemption for data centers located in Renaissance Zones. Specifically, it eliminates the exemption previously available for "eligible data center property" in zones approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund in 2016 with at least $100 million in investment. This change directly affects data center operators in designated Renaissance Zones who previously qualified for reduced property taxes. The bill updates Section 7ff of the tax act to reflect this repeal, ensuring data centers no longer receive the tax break.
HB 5390 modifies Michigan's budget law to clarify rules for "work project" appropriations, which are funds designated for specific, time-bound projects. It requires all work projects to meet four criteria: a specific purpose, a clear plan, an estimated cost, and a completion date. The bill strengthens legislative oversight by allowing appropriations committees to disapprove the director's decisions to lapse funds or designate new work projects, requiring a two-thirds vote and committee hearings within 30 days. This affects state agencies managing project funds and legislative committees responsible for budget review.
HB 5432 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates additional state funding for multiple departments, agencies, and the legislative branch for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides specific monetary amounts to cover budget gaps or new needs identified during the fiscal year, with conditions on how the funds may be spent. This bill directly affects state government operations by ensuring funding continuity for essential services and programs across various agencies. As a procedural funding measure, it does not change policy but adjusts financial resources for existing government functions.
SB 723 modifies Michigan's Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act to streamline cleanup and development of contaminated or underused industrial sites. It defines "blighted" properties more clearly (e.g., sites with disconnections, fire hazards, or buried debris) and creates a new "transformational brownfield plan" that allows developers to capture tax revenues generated during construction. The bill establishes "construction period tax capture revenues" - taxes collected from wages paid during site improvements - which are calculated using a specific formula and reported to the state treasury. This policy directly affects developers, local governments, and property owners working on eligible brownfield sites, providing a new funding mechanism for redevelopment projects.
SB 754 requires Michigan state agencies to submit written plans within 60 days after completing an audit to address audit recommendations. It also mandates that agency heads report serious problems (like fraud or major deficiencies) to department heads within 60 days, who must then submit correction plans to the state budget director. If agencies fail to submit these plans, the state budget director must notify relevant legislative committees, oversight bodies, and the auditor general. The bill directly affects all state agencies and their leadership by creating clear timelines and accountability mechanisms for addressing audit findings and serious operational issues.
