SB 51 establishes the Black Leadership Advisory Council to address racial inequity in Michigan. The council, composed of 15 governor-appointed members (including representation from specific fields like health and education, an immigrant expert, and a member aged 18-35), must develop policies to eliminate discrimination in areas like housing, employment, and healthcare. It is required to identify discriminatory state laws, collaborate with the governor on equitable legislation, and submit annual reports. The council operates independently but receives department staff support, with no compensation for members beyond expense reimbursement.
SB 22 requires Michigan landlords to return security deposit refunds via electronic transfer (such as direct deposit or mobile payment) instead of checks when deducting for damages. Landlords must send the refund electronically within 10 days after mailing a damage notice to the tenant, which must include a 7-day response deadline. This affects all landlords and tenants in Michigan rental agreements involving security deposits. The law maintains existing requirements for 30-day damage notices and itemized claims but changes how refunds are delivered.
SB 180 is a funding bill that allocates $39.29 billion to Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides specific funding for key programs including $276 million for department administration and management, $195 million for child support enforcement operations, and $197 million for community services like homeless programs, diaper assistance, and housing support. The bill directly affects DHHS operations and the state's recipients of these services, such as families using child support enforcement, homeless individuals accessing shelter programs, and low-income households receiving food or housing aid. It establishes the financial framework for these programs but does not change their underlying policies or eligibility rules.
HB 4081 allows counties and municipalities in Michigan to set higher limits than the current state cap on the number of separate land parcels created when dividing a single property. It amends state law (MCL 560.108) that previously limited most land divisions to 12 parcels. The bill directly affects local governments, developers, and property owners by giving communities more flexibility to manage land use and development density. This change removes the state-imposed cap, enabling local authorities to establish their own parcel limits based on community needs.
SB 345 increases the property tax credit threshold for Michigan homeowners, raising the taxable value cap for homestead property tax credits from $135,000 to $160,700 for the 2024 tax year. Beginning in 2025, the cap will automatically adjust annually based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest $100. This change directly affects homeowners whose property value falls within the new threshold, allowing them to claim a larger credit against their state income tax for qualifying property taxes. The bill modifies Section 520 of Michigan’s Income Tax Act to implement this adjustment.
SB 213 requires the Michigan Strategic Advisory Board to create a 10-year economic development plan for the state within one year of its appointment, with annual updates thereafter. The plan must include specific goals covering all regions (rural, suburban, urban), infrastructure needs, affordable housing, environmental protection, water resources, education access, and economic opportunities for all residents. It mandates measurable metrics for success, such as population growth and resident prosperity, and requires a "whole-government approach" to achieve these objectives. The bill directly affects the Strategic Advisory Board and Michigan Strategic Fund by establishing their planning obligations under the Michigan Strategic Fund Act.
HB 4079 adjusts the income limit for homeowners aged 65 or older, or those totally and permanently disabled, who qualify for a property tax deferment on special assessments. Currently set at $34,900 as of October 2022, the bill replaces this fixed amount with an annual adjustment based on the Detroit-area Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning the limit will rise or fall each year with local inflation. The state treasurer will calculate the new limit annually using the prior year's CPI data, rounding to the nearest dollar. This change directly affects eligible homeowners seeking to defer special assessments on their primary residences without immediate payment.
HB 4983 modifies Michigan's eviction timeline by extending the waiting period before a landlord can remove a tenant after a court judgment. It increases the standard waiting period from 10 to 14 days for most evictions, and adds a longer 90-day or 6-month waiting period (depending on payment progress) when evicting tenants who failed to pay for a home purchase contract. The bill also clarifies that tenants can stop eviction by paying the owed amount plus costs within the waiting period. This directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords seeking possession under the Revised Judicature Act.
HB 4984 changes how eviction court records are handled in Michigan. For most eviction cases, court records remain private until a judge rules in favor of the landlord, then become public for two years before automatically returning to private status. However, if the eviction was based on serious issues like drug activity, health hazards, violence, or illegal entry, records stay public for three years. The bill also strictly limits sharing private records - allowing access only for research or journalism with court approval, while protecting tenant names and personal details. This directly affects tenants by increasing privacy around eviction history, particularly for non-serious cases.
HB 4992 updates Michigan's landlord-tenant law to clarify communication requirements for security deposits. It requires tenants to provide updated contact information (mailing address, email, or phone) within 4 days after moving out, and landlords must send an itemized damage notice with repair costs within 15 days of move-out. Landlords must use methods tenants previously agreed to (like email or text) to send these notices, and tenants must respond within 7 days to dispute charges - failure to respond forfeits the right to dispute. If landlords miss the 15-day deadline, they must immediately refund the full security deposit. This directly affects all Michigan landlords and tenants in rental agreements involving security deposits.
