Attracting Investments to Create Jobs and Lower Costs Across Michigan Communities;
Additional legislation protects Indigenous communities, expands pay transparency, upholds Michigan’s free and fair elections, and more
Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed 35 commonsense bills that will expand Michigan’s talent pool and create jobs right here at home, supporting Michiganders as they search for housing and pay their bills. The bills build on Governor Whitmer’s vision to grow Michigan’s economy presented during her “Road Ahead Address” this Wednesday, ensuring Michigan is the ideal place for innovators and entrepreneurs to live, work, and invest. Additional legislation signed bolsters the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration’s commitment to making sure everyone can make it in Michigan. Including today’s legislation, Governor Whitmer has signed a record 1,466 bipartisan bills into law since taking office.
“During my ‘Road Ahead Address,’ I made a commitment to stay focused on solving problems so we can keep creating good-paying jobs right here in Michigan and ensure that we are the home for advanced manufacturing,” said Governor Whitmer. “Today, I am proud to sign these 35 commonsense bills that will lower costs for businesses, expand technical education for students, cut red tape, and so much more. Together, we can help our young people thrive and make sure Michigan is the best state to start or grow your business. Let’s keep working together to get things done that make a real difference in people’s lives.”
House Bill 5649, sponsored by state Representative Carol Glanville (D-Walker), will support science and technology education in Michigan by requiring every public high school to offer at least one computer science course. This bill aligns Michigan with a majority of the country, ensuring our state is a leader for the future. This bill advances technological literacy, ensuring young Michiganders are well-equipped with the critical thinking skills necessary for success in the workforce.
House Bill 4906, sponsored by state Representative Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), will bolster the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration’s commitment to creating jobs and supporting local economies by providing incentives for data centers to locate in Michigan. The bill supports Michigan business owners and helps to expand data center production in Michigan by extending a tax exemption for individuals and companies investing in data center equipment. The jobs created and increased tax revenue could provide Michigan communities with tens of millions of dollars for schools and operating costs.
House Bill 5600, sponsored by state Representative Carrie A. Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor), supports tribal relations with the State of Michigan by creating the Office of the Tribal Legislative Liaison within the Legislative Council. The liaison will help establish and maintain a government-to-government relationship between the 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan and the Legislature, ensuring Michigan’s Tribal Nations and their citizens are represented in legislative decision-making.
House Bill 4854, sponsored by state Representative Helena Scott (D-Detroit), requires schools to allow Native American students to bring traditional objects or wear traditional regalia during ceremonies of honor, including graduation ceremonies. This bill will help preserve Native American cultures in Michigan and ensure Native American students can honor their heritage as they celebrate milestones.
House Bills 5231, 5232, 5233, and 5234, sponsored by state Representatives Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), and Helena Scott (D-Detroit), will increase transparency in Michigan’s education system by requiring charter schools to make the names of those authorizing and managing the school easily accessible. These bills will help Michigan parents make informed decisions about their child’s education.
House Bill 5269, sponsored by state Representative Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), requires charter schools to post certain information on their website regarding teachers’ salaries. Specifically, the bill will align charter schools with traditional public school transparency requirements. As such, this change will support pay transparency in Michigan, ensuring all prospective teachers are able to review their salaries and negotiate accordingly. Additionally, this will support pay equity within charter schools, ensuring teachers are being paid competitively.
House Bill 4924, sponsored by state Representative Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing), adopts the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act. This aims to protect family inheritance for Michiganders by making it easier for inheritors of real property to keep the property in the family. By preventing the involuntary sale of property, this bill allows families to maintain financial stability for generations to come, pass down property-related wealth assets, and preserve their homes for future generations.
House Bill 5022, sponsored by state Representative Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), will help put money back into small businesses by streamlining state tax procedures. This change will help businesses save money by reducing administrative costs, ensuring businesses can focus on profits instead of payments.
House Bill 5204, sponsored by state Representative Kelly Breen (D-Novi), cuts red tape by granting power to the Court of Appeals judicial districts to swear in and admit new lawyers to the Bar of Michigan without a special request to the Michigan Supreme Court. This bill will help reduce unnecessary barriers for prospective lawyers, attracting talent and building Michigan’s legal community.
House Bills 5379 and 5747, sponsored by state Representative Jenn Hill (D-Marquette), will support economic development in our state by simplifying Michigan’s ability to form agreements with other states about how materials to support the logging industry are taxed, promoting the smooth transportation of wood products and supporting local UP logging businesses.
House Bill 5924, sponsored by state Representative Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), designates a portion of Highway I-94 as the “Corporal Mohamed Said Memorial Highway.” This change honors Corporal Mohammed Said, a member of the Melvindale Police Department, who lost his life in the line of duty.
House Bills 6052 and 6053, sponsored by state Representative Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), support free and fair elections in Michigan by streamlining election processes. Specifically, the bills increase voter access through improved ballot printing efficiency and clarifies the timeframe for election related lawsuits. These changes will help ensure that every Michigander’s voice is heard, regardless of whether they vote early or on election day.
House Bills 5949, 5950, and 5951, sponsored by state Representatives Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), and Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar),
Contact: press@michigan.gov