LANSING, MI — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law 15 pieces of legislation from last year’s legislative session on Thursday, while wearing a Detroit Lions jersey.
The bills were some of the last pieces of legislation passed before Republicans reclaimed control of the Michigan House, ending the Democrats’ two-year dominance.
“As the weather gets colder, it’s important that Michiganders can afford a roof over their head and heat their homes,” according to Whitmer. “I am proud to sign these commonsense, bipartisan bills into law, which will allow Michiganders to keep more money in their pockets and stay warm and safe.
From supporting affordable housing initiatives to ensuring Michiganders can take advantage of apprenticeship programs, these bills will build on our efforts to reduce costs and provide everyone with the support they need to’make it’ in Michigan. As we enter the new year, let us continue to get things done and make a real difference in people’s lives.
While Whitmer describes the bills signed into law as “commonsense” and “bipartisan,” several of them were passed along party lines, with Democrats able to ram through legislation with majorities in both chambers.
A few other bills were passed in the House, but no Republicans were present after walking out in protest of a proposed change to Michigan’s tipped worker credit.
The majority of these bills are likely to go into effect later this year.
House Bill 5783 broadens the Michigan Education Savings Program Act’s eligibility to cover fees, books, supplies, and other apprenticeship-related expenses. The bill also allows funds to be used to repay student loans, including their interest.
“Expanding MiABLE and MESP is a big win for Michiganders,” said State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks. “For MiABLE, this means that more people with disabilities will be able to save for current and future needs without jeopardizing government benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.
Expanding MESP also allows students in apprenticeships to pay for expenses such as books and supplies. Students can now use their MESP accounts to pay for federally qualified educational loans. I applaud Governor Whitmer for signing these two bills, which will financially empower Michigan residents and taxpayers.
The bill received unanimous support in both the House and Senate.
House Bill 5030 aims to give the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA) more debt flexibility so that it can better respond to market conditions. The bill gives MSHDA the authority to decide when to cancel its own debt, as opposed to the previous debt-cancellation requirements.
“Ensuring that all Michiganders have access to safe, affordable housing is a fundamental priority,” stated state Representative Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City). “These changes to MSHDA policies will bring outdated housing price limits into line with today’s market, allowing more families to secure homeownership opportunities.
Furthermore, by giving MSHDA more flexibility, we can better support first-time homebuyers, improve accessibility for people with disabilities, and strengthen communities throughout Michigan.”
The bills passed mostly along party lines, with Democrats providing the majority of support.
House Bill 5031 slightly expands MSHDA members’ voting rights, allowing all members to vote on issues concerning the administration, operation, and management of federal public housing programs and Section 8 tenant-based assistance programs.
Lawmakers who support the bill describe it as a victory for expanding affordable housing.
“The Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s work to increase access to housing and affordability has a tangible impact on the lives of many Michiganders,” said House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton).
“The governor signing these bills into law means that MSHDA’s board can run more efficiently and that means we can better tackle the housing crisis people are feeling across the state.”
The bills passed mostly along party lines, with Democrats providing the majority of support.
House Bill 5032 also aims to increase access to affordable housing by changing the maximum purchase price or appraised value caps for MSHDA loans made to eligible purchasers to percentage-based. The percentage change will increase these caps and set all future caps at 90% of the average area home purchase price.
This bill also raises the allowable purchase price of property if unexpected costs arise during construction from $3,500 to $10,000 for disabled individuals.
“Access to affordable housing has long been a top concern among Michigan residents. “This package addresses the housing crisis head on by helping to provide more housing, simplifying the home-buying process, and keeping our youth in the state,” said state Representative Will Snyder (D-Muskegon).
“Making it easier for the state to pursue larger projects will increase the supply of affordable housing. I am delighted to see these bills signed into law, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on our communities and working people.”
The bills passed mostly along party lines, with Democrats providing the majority of support.
Legislators tout House Bill 5781 as a bill to help Michigan residents with disabilities by updating the Michigan Achieving a Better Life Experience (MiABLE) savings program.
The Governor’s Office stated that the bill “allows for tax-free rollovers from 529 educational plans to MiABLE accounts, allowing users to fund costs associated with their education, housing, transportation, and more.” The bill is expected to expand eligibility to 500,000 people and their families.
“With this important bill becoming law, 500,000 disabled individuals and their families in Michigan will now be eligible for MiABLE,” said state Representative Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy). “Now, many disabled individuals and their families will be able to save more for their basic needs, such as healthcare, housing and transportation.”
The bill received unanimous support in both the House and Senate.
House Bill 5594 amends the state’s Youth Employment Standards Act, giving the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) authority to issue and administer youth work permits rather than local school districts.
The bill also limits the number of hours a child under the age of 16 can work and prohibits exemptions that allow minors to work between 12 and 5 a.m. or in hazardous or injurious occupations.
The bill was passed strictly on party lines.
House Bill 5736, known as the “Veteran’s Employee Resource Notification Act,” requires employers to post a list of veteran services in a visible location. Some of the services that need to be listed include:
- The telephone number and website for the department of military and veterans affairs.
- Mental health and substance abuse services.
- Education, workforce, or job training resources.
- Tax benefits.
- Information on how to obtain a veteran designation on a driver license or on an official state personal identification card.
- Eligibility for unemployment benefits under the Michigan employment security act or federal law.
- Legal services.
- The telephone number and website for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Now that this bill has been signed into law, our veterans will have easier access to information about their resources and benefits,” said state Representative Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens). “Veterans risked their lives to protect us, and we owe it to them to ensure they receive the benefits they rightfully deserve.
Employers posting this information at worksites will give veterans more opportunities to learn about the resources they are entitled to and how to access them.”
The bill passed primarily along party lines, with a few Senate Republicans voting in favor.
House Bill 6075 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to notify Michigan Energy Assistant Program (MEAP) participants of their additional eligibility for MEAP services. This is the final bill signed into law as part of a bill package aimed at expanding MEAP eligibility.
The bills passed mostly along party lines, with Democrats providing the majority of support.
House Bills 4062 and 4063 supplement a package of bills signed by the governor in December that expanded the types of income sources that landlords can consider when residents report their income.
These new bills specifically provide legal recourse for anyone who has been discriminated against based on income by their current or prospective landlord.
“Today, Michigan takes a significant step forward in ensuring fair housing opportunities by prohibiting discrimination based on source of income,” said state Representative Jennifer Conlin.
“This legislation will assist families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities across the state in finding safe and stable housing, regardless of how they pay their rent. Housing is a basic need, and I am pleased to see this important protection signed into law.”
The bills were passed strictly on party lines.
House Bills 5060 and 5523 repeal the Michigan Economic and Social Opportunity Act of 1981, replacing it with the “Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity Act.” The new bureau will be based in the Department of Health and Human Services.
The bill’s summary states that the bureau’s responsibilities include receiving and spending funds, assisting with the establishment and operation of community action agencies, developing education and public awareness initiatives, collaborating with state and federal officials, and more.
In addition, the legislation established a Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity. The commission will serve as a forum for state policies and programs aimed at reducing poverty and meeting the needs of Michigan’s low-income residents.
Lawmakers who supported the legislation stated that the bills will improve the social and economic well-being of low-income Michigan residents.
House Bill 5060 passed with unanimous support, while House Bill 5523 received strong bipartisan support in both chambers of the legislature.
House Bill 5922 amends the Transportation Economic Development Fund (TEDF) Law to include new population ranges for Macomb and Kent Counties, allowing for the continued funding of historic roads in those areas.
The bill received strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
House Bills 4675 and 4679, respectively, amend the Land Bank Fast Track Act and the Revenue Bond Act. The amendments exempt land bank authorities from special assessments and user fees levied by the state and local governments.
The bills were passed on party lines.