Updates About Legislation

Governor Whitmer recently signed groundbreaking clean energy legislation that positions the state as a national frontrunner in combating climate change. These bills, part of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, promise to slash household utility costs by an average of $145 annually, generate 160,000 well-paying jobs, and bring in nearly $8 billion in federal funds for clean energy initiatives. The package boasts a 100% clean energy standard by 2040 (SB 271), driving Michigan toward renewable energy sources while fostering economic growth and elevating labor standards.

The comprehensive package also includes measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste (SB 273), the formation of the Office of Worker and Community Economic Transition (SB 519), and streamlined processes for clean energy projects (HB 5120). The legislation places special attention on protecting local communities (SB 502) and farmers’ rights to engage in solar projects on their own land (SB 277).

A bill package summoning Clean Energy by 2040 passed in the Michigan House on Thursday, November 2. Originally a set of nine bills — five from the Senate and four from the House — this package was whittled down to a final seven. The House’s initial four bills were consolidated into House Bills 5120 and 5121. Several amendments were made by the House before passing the final package. These amendments primarily focus on giving local government more authority over the energy projects and adjusting language within the legislation.

Senate Bills 271, 273, 502, 519, and 277 mandate that electric companies shall run entirely on clean energy by 2040 and will allow farmers to rent land to commercial solar projects. These projects alone could impose an additional cost of $100 per month for Michigan residents due to new infrastructure that the projects would require, according to a Minnesota think tank. A recent press release by Governor Whitmer touts a savings of $145 per year for each Michigander by incorporating clean energy, dampening the monthly project cost slightly. The clean energy legislation is also expected to assist in receiving $7.8 million in federal investments and contribute to the addition of Michigan jobs.

On November 1, the Michigan Senate passed Senate Bills 613 - 616, which are collectively referred to as the Financial Disclosure Package. This legislation, stemming from the passing of Proposal 1 of 2021, would require both state elected officials and their spouses to report their financial records. Specifically, elected officials and candidates will be compelled to report their income streams and assets that possess a value of $1000 or more.

This legislation passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, noting only two nay votes from Senator Lindsey (R-Coldwater) and Senator Runestad (R-White Lake). In the Michigan House, the Financial Disclosure Package passed after SBs 613 and 614 had two substitutes approved from the more than 20 rejected substitutes that were reviewed. The two agreed-upon substitutes require elected officials to disclose if their spouse worked with a state-registered vendor, both at present time or in the past. SBs 615 and 616 were approved favorably without substitutions. As these four bills reach the Governor’s desk for signing, Michigan becomes the 48th state to require financial disclosing from their elected officials.