14 bills will tackle kitchen-table issues 
 
LANSING, MI -- On Dec 13th, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill package that collectively will support the development of more affordable housing units in communities across Michigan.  
 
“Investments in affordable housing lower costs for families and make Michigan communities more attractive, easier places to live,” said Governor Whitmer. “They attract job seekers, spur economic activity, and make it easier to raise a family. I am proud to sign bipartisan bills to expand affordable housing in Michigan and make our state a place where anyone can afford to live, work, and raise a family. I am committed to growing Michigan’s economy, creating good-paying jobs, and building a brighter future for all Michiganders.” 
 
The bills will help alleviate the shortage of affordable housing for Michigan families by creating more affordable housing options, with a particular focus on creating new housing units in cities.  
 
Senate Bill 362 establishes attainable housing districts and provides certain tax exemptions for residential rehabilitation projects. SB 362 was sponsored by Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, and a copy can be found here. 
 
Senate Bill 364 supports the development and rehabilitation of residential housing and expands incentives for neighborhood enterprise zones. SB 364 was sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, and a copy can be found here. 
 
“We urgently need more housing options in Michigan. Our bipartisan legislation helps homeowners to make affordable upgrades to their existing homes and assists communities to construct new housing at attainable price points,” said Sen. Jeremy Moss. “We are thankful the Governor signed these bills into law so we can retain our valued residents and attract job-seekers to Michigan.”  
 
Senate Bill 422 supports the establishment of residential housing districts in certain local governmental units by providing exemptions from certain taxes for residential facilities and housing. SB 422 was sponsored by Sen. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, and a copy can be found here. 
 
Senate Bill 432 creates a state housing development authority, establishes certain funds to support housing development, land acquisition and development, rehabilitation, and more. This legislation also establishes acceleration and foreclosure procedures, provides tax exemptions, authorizes payments instead of taxes by certain entities, and authorizes the making and purchase of loans, deferred payment loans, and grants. SB 432 was sponsored by Sen. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, and a copy can be found here. 
 
Equitable Home Upgrades 
House Bills 4378 and 4379 ensure individuals who need whole-home generators for the continuous operation of medical equipment are not financially penalized. House Bill 4378 accomplishes this by amending the General Property Tax Act to specify that installing, replacing, or repairing a whole-home generator should be considered normal maintenance for the purpose of determining a property’s true cash value. The bill also extends the current-year policy to allow personal property to be taxed at its ordinary business location for the 2023 tax year to accommodate continued remote work practices. House Bill 4379 modifies the definition of “new construction” under the Michigan Economic Growth Authority Act. House Bills 4378 and 4379 were sponsored by Rep. Alex Garza, D-Taylor, and copies can be found here and here.  
 
Michigan’s Statewide Housing Plan 
The Whitmer-Gilchrist Administration has taken a holistic approach to increase housing supply, lower costs, set bold housing goals, and make investments to make homes more comfortable, safe, and energy efficient. Governor Whitmer released Michigan's first Statewide Housing Plan in partnership with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to ensure that every Michigander has access to affordable housing that meets their needs. To tackle the state's housing crisis, Governor Whitmer laid out the ambitious goal of creating 75,000 new or rehabilitated housing units within the next five years. On Dec 13th’s housing legislation will build on the work Governor Whitmer has started to help more families get into a home that meets their budget. 
 
Expanding Opportunities in Education 
House Bills 6039 and 6040 expands eligibility for dual enrollment options by allowing students in a fifth year of an early middle college program to participate in college athletics if they have used up their four years of high school eligibility. Early middle college programs provide students with an opportunity to earn college credits or work toward a credential while simultaneously earning their high school diploma. HB 6039 was sponsored by Rep. Pauline Wendzel, R-Watervliet, and a copy can be found here. HB 6040 was sponsored by Rep. Christine Morse, D-Texas Township, and a copy can be found here.  
 
Other Legislation 
House Bill 4416 creates a new act, the Discharge of Prohibited Restrictive Covenants Act. The bill allows homeowners to record a form with their local register of deeds removing any outdated, discriminatory language in a property deed. HB 4416 was sponsored by Rep. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, and a copy can be found here. 
 
House Bill 6358 transfers two state-owned properties from the Department of Corrections to the State Land Bank Authority: Riverside Correctional Facility in Ionia County from Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) to the State Land Bank Authority and the site of the former Michigan State Police laboratory in Kent County from the State Administration Board to Kent County. HB 6358 was sponsored by Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, and a copy can be found here.  
 
House Bill 5248 provides local municipalities, like the City of Roseville, the ability to raise money for police and fire through a special assessment by modifying the definition of “qualified city" in the Police and Fire Protection Act. The bill defines a “qualified city” as either a city with a population of less than 15,500 or a larger city with majority voter approval for the annual amount of the special assessment. HB 5248 was sponsored by Rep. Richard Steenland, D-Roseville, and a copy can be found here.  
 
House Bill 6369 ensures Michigan’s on-demand automated vehicle laws remain consistent across local municipalities, keeping the state at the forefront of automated vehicle technology. HB 6369 was sponsored by Rep. Mike Harris, R-Clarkston, and a copy can be found here. 
 
HB 6370 exempts certain types of environmental deed restrictions, which are intended to protect public health and the environment, from automatically being removed from property titles after 40 years. HB 6370 was sponsored by Rep. Roger Hauck, R-Mount Pleasant, and a copy can be found here.  
 
House Bill 6377 modifies the distribution funding structure of the County Veteran Service Fund by setting in perpetuity the minimum level of county funding for veteran service operations that is required to qualify to receive funding from the grant program. HB 6377 was sponsored by Rep. Roger Hauck, R-Mount Pleasant, and a copy can be found here.