Legislative updates for May 2026

This update includes recently introduced bills and those moving through the legislative process. Michigan Farm Bureau’s positions are rooted in the organization’s member-developed policy. 

Property Tax Legislation

A large package of 10 bills and one joint resolution has been introduced that would significantly change Michigan’s tax structure. The proposal includes eliminating the “pop-up” tax on property transfers, repealing the state education tax, real estate transfer tax and personal property tax—totaling an estimated $4 billion in tax reductions, with an additional $1 billion in expected utility savings. To offset the cuts, a new tax on services is proposed, though details remain unclear.

Several provisions could impact property taxation, including changes to how taxable values are calculated and exemptions for certain property types. While the bills are not agriculture-specific, these types of changes can have downstream implications for farmland and agribusiness operations. Michigan Farm Bureau does not currently have a position on the legislation but is closely monitoring the package due to its potential impact on agriculture and related policy.

Bill highlights:

• HB 5570–5571: Allow single-stair exits in certain multi-family housing
• HB 5872: Limit taxable value “uncapping” in specific property transfers
• HB 5873: Repeal state education tax (replace with general fund support)
• HB 5874: Repeal real estate transfer tax
• HB 5875–5877: Update financing laws tied to transfer tax repeal
• HB 5878: Eliminate most personal property tax
• HB 5879: Require utilities to report savings, review rates
• HJR-T: End “pop-up” tax on property transfers (constitutional change)

The legislation remains in the House Government Operations Committee.

Contact: Rebecca Park

State Energy Policy

House Bills 5710-5711, sponsored by Reps. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) and Pat Outman (R-Six Lakes), would refocus Michigan’s utility regulatory framework on electric reliability, affordability and minimizing costs for ratepayers when utilities develop long-term generation plans and rate cases, while scaling back certain requirements related to renewable energy mandates, environmental justice and consumer advocacy funding. 

Supported by Farm Bureau, the bills align with the organization’s policy, “advocating for adequate and affordable energy for residents and businesses” as well as recognizing agriculture’s “vulnerability to energy interruptions and price volatility.”

The legislation was approved by the House Energy Committee on April 28 and now awaits consideration on the House floor. 

Contact: Justin Tomei

Permit Guidelines

Introduced by Rep. Ken Borton, House Bill 5498 would require state agencies to assign employees who manage permit issuance to a single subject area.

Also introduced in the House, House Bill 5499, sponsored by Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), would allow applicants whose permits are denied to seek monetary damages from the state agency for losses resulting from the denial.

Farm Bureau supports both bills, which have been referred to the House Economic Competitiveness Committee. This support aligns with MFB Policy #67, “Streamlining Michigan Government,” which calls for “increased efficiencies in state and local government such as prioritizing services, reforming where possible, eliminating duplicative services, and utilizing private partners.”

Contact: Josh Scramlin

EGLE Rulemaking Authority

Senate Bill 711, sponsored by Sue Shink (D–Northfield Township), would grant EGLE rulemaking authority under Part 31, which governs water resources protection. MFB opposes the legislation, citing member policy #83, which supports “the current statute in Part 31 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act that prohibits the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy from creating or changing rules under this part. On May 14, SB 711 was voted out of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee on an 8–4 party-line vote, with all Democratic senators voting in favor and all present Republican senators voting against. The bill was widely opposed by a variety of agricultural and business groups and now awaits consideration by the full Senate. This bill is identical to legislation considered during the 2023-24 session that Farm Bureau helped thwart. 

Contact: Josh Scramlin

Wetlands

Several bills addressing wetlands policy have been introduced, and Farm Bureau supports the following legislation:

House Bill 5082, introduced by Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare), would require the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to complete a wetland assessment within 60 days and prohibit the Department from charging fees for the assessment. 

House Bills 5501-5502, sponsored by Reps. Greg Alexander (R-Carsonville) and Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan), would allow for the relocation or replacement of wetlands within development projects.

House Bill 5536, introduced by Rep. David Martin (R-Davison), would clarify the definition of a wetland by aligning state standards with federal standards following the Sackett v. EPA U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

House Bills 5082 and 5502 were approved by the House Natural Resources and Tourism Committee on April 29 and await consideration on the House floor. House Bills 5501 and 5536 were also approved by the committee but require a secondary review by the House Rules Committee before advancing to the House floor.

Contact: Josh Scramlin

Landowner Liability Protection

House Bill 4582, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) would restore liability protection for property owners by restoring the “open and obvious” doctrine in Michigan. The open and obvious doctrine was a longstanding standard in the state, providing property owners with liability protection for hazards that were considered “open and obvious” to the average person. In 2023, the Michigan Supreme Court overturned this defense, meaning more lawsuits and higher costs for all property owners in the state. Farm Bureau supports HB 4582, which passed the House 58–48 on March 11 and now awaits consideration by the Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee.

Contact: Rob Anderson