HB 5233, the "Military Leave for First Responders Act," requires fire departments and law enforcement agencies in Michigan to provide at least 26 days of paid leave annually for employees serving in military reserve components. It directly affects fire department and law enforcement agency members who are enlisted in reserve units, covering both active duty deployment and training. The law mandates employers pay these members their regular wage during leave and maintain all contractually required benefits. It also specifies advance notice requirements for leave requests (14 days for 10-20 days off, as soon as possible for longer periods) and includes a provision for paid leave to attend pre-induction military exams.
HB 5387 amends Michigan's "Mozelle senior or vulnerable adult medical alert act" to specifically include "missing veterans at risk" in the definition of persons eligible for emergency alerts. The bill defines a "missing veteran at risk" as an active-duty service member or veteran reported missing with a documented physical or mental health condition. This change directly affects veterans who go missing and have health conditions, ensuring they are covered under the same alert protocols as seniors and vulnerable adults. The law does not create new procedures but clarifies who qualifies for existing emergency reporting mechanisms.
SB 274 designates a specific stretch of US-131 in Kalamazoo County (between I-94 and Parkview Avenue) as the "Master Sergeant Gregory T. Kuhse Memorial Highway." The bill amends Michigan's Memorial Highway Act to add this permanent name to the designated road segment. This is a ceremonial designation with no policy changes or direct impact on residents, businesses, or government operations. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate on July 1, 2025, and will take effect 90 days after enactment.
This bill requires the Michigan National Guard to pay all servicemembers their compensation through direct deposit or electronic transfer starting with their first eligible pay period. The legislation amends existing state wage payment laws to mandate this specific payment method for National Guard members, who must provide the necessary banking information to enable the transfers. While the bill maintains existing protections for other employees regarding payroll debit cards and direct deposit consent, it creates a special provision that applies exclusively to the National Guard without requiring individual opt-in consent from each servicemember. This change ensures consistent electronic payment processing for military compensation while preserving the broader legal framework governing wage payments for other Michigan employees.
HB 5078 designates a specific segment of M-22 in Leelanau County (from North Stallman Road to North Putnam Road) as the "Company K Indian Veterans 1st Michigan Sharpshooters Civil War Memorial Highway." The bill amends Michigan's Memorial Highway Act to add this official name, directly affecting signage and official records for that highway stretch. It is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or funding mechanisms, solely honoring the Civil War unit known as the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters.
SB 542 amends Michigan's tuition assistance program for National Guard members by updating specific sections of the 2014 law (2014 PA 259). It directly affects current and future Michigan National Guard members by modifying the terms of their tuition benefit eligibility or calculation. The bill changes the legal provisions governing how the assistance is administered under the existing program. After passing the legislature with 34-3 votes in December 2025, it was sent to the governor for final approval.
SB 370 creates Michigan's "Tricare premium reimbursement program" to help National Guard members cover health insurance costs. It directly affects Michigan National Guard members eligible for Tricare Reserve Select or Tricare Dental programs who aren't covered by employer plans or other insurance. The program reimburses members for premiums they pay for these specific Tricare plans, using funds from the existing Michigan National Guard Member Benefit Fund. To qualify, members must apply through a department-form on the website, and reimbursements are made only if sufficient funds are available.
HB 5089 amends Michigan's memorial highway law to rename four specific segments of M-60 in Jackson County after veterans. Each segment is designated with a memorial name honoring distinct groups: WWII veterans (Lynford Graham, Melvin King, Vernon Smalley), Vietnam War veterans (Timothy Ballinger, Robert Jenks, James Morgan), and an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran (Donald Wheeler Jr.). The bill directly affects drivers using these M-60 portions by changing their official highway names. It does not create new policies or funding, only renaming existing road segments per the memorial highway act. The bill passed unanimously in the Michigan House on December 2, 2025.
This bill designates a specific section of US-131 in Mecosta County as the "Sgt. Matthew Webber Memorial Highway" to honor a fallen service member. The legislation amends Michigan's highway naming laws by adding a new section that officially names the stretch of road between 11 Mile Road and Old State Road. This change affects only the official signage and legal designation of that roadway segment, with no changes to traffic rules or road maintenance responsibilities. The memorial name serves as a permanent tribute to Sgt. Webber within the state's transportation infrastructure.
HB 4145 designates a specific 1-mile segment of US-127 in Jackson County (between mile markers 39 and 40) as the "2nd Lt. Roosevelt Stiger Memorial Highway." This procedural bill amends Michigan's Memorial Highway Act to add this designation, honoring 2nd Lieutenant Roosevelt Stiger, a military veteran. The highway segment itself is the direct subject of the naming change, with no new policies or funding mechanisms involved. The bill passed unanimously in the Michigan House on May 20, 2025.
