MLC Insider Intelligence: June 12, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The House held its typical Tuesday through Thursday session schedule, while the Senate met on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Budget Update: The House and Senate have each passed their versions of the state budget. Several areas of difference are continuing to be negotiated between the chambers and the executive office
Consumer Affordability Passes: This week, the Michigan House passed a package of bills aimed at ensuring streaming services remain affordable for Michigan residents. The proposal ensures franchise fees can’t be added to a customer’s bill, which the Michigan Public Service Commission agrees shouldn’t be applied.
Key Points: Franchise fees are paid in exchange for the public right-of-way. However, streaming services don’t put infrastructure in the right-of-way. This proposal provides clarity to ensure that customers are protected from new fees on streaming. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, Michigan would remain in line with all other states in the nation. It would ensure that streaming customers aren’t forced to pay franchise fees because streaming services can be used on any device and anywhere.
Next Steps: The bills will be referred to the Senate for consideration.
House Passes Changes to Rulemaking: The Michigan House passed legislation granting legislative authority over agency rulemaking. Under the current system, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) can review proposed agency rules, but according to the sponsors, the legislature doesn’t have meaningful authority.
Current Process: Under the current system, JCAR is responsible for examining rules proposed in the Michigan Administrative Code or adopted by state agencies. While the committee can raise objections and ask for changes, lawmakers have little ability to stop departments from moving forward without making changes.
Proposed Changes: The plan creates a new Regulatory Oversight and Administrative Review (ROAR) committee to evaluate and decide on proposed administrative rules. Additionally, it addresses how courts respond when agency rules are challenged by the legislature. Under the Chevron deference doctrine, courts are required to defer to an agency’s interpretation of ambiguous statutes, even if the court would have interpreted the statute differently. The proposal would require courts to exercise independent judgment when determining whether an agency acted within its statutory authority. Lastly, the legislation requires a review of rules after five years.
Senate Proposes Healthcare Reforms: This week, legislation was introduced in the Senate to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for three of the state’s highest-volume, life-saving medical necessities. Historically, federal initiatives and other states have relied on price caps to address the rising costs; this proposal would be the first in the nation.
Key Points: The plan would set a $0 cost mandate for epinephrine, an emergency, life-saving medication used for severe allergic reactions. The bill provides a universal benefit for every insured resident with no age limits or annual quotas. To address diabetic care, the proposal would set a $0 diabetes care ecosystem, eliminating cost-sharing for insulin and the vital diagnostic hardware needed to administer it. Lastly, the legislation eliminates out-of-pocket costs for prescription inhalers and forgoes insurance rules that stop asthma patients from getting backup inhalers.
Next Steps: The bills were referred to the Senate Health Policy Committee for consideration.
Tuition Reimbursement Proposal Introduced: Members of the House Democratic Caucus introduced a package of bills aiming to make higher education more affordable and incentivize graduates to stay and work in Michigan. Studies show that between 30%-40% of students who graduate from Michigan colleges leave the state for other job markets.
Key Points: The proposal creates the Make It In Michigan tax credit, which covers up to 50% of their student loan payments. Additionally, the plan supports businesses that make student loan payments on behalf of qualified employees. The bill package was referred to the House Economic Competitiveness Committee for consideration.
Importance: “The cost of higher education has been out of reach for too many families and students. This package gives our students some much-needed relief. When we invest in our students, we strengthen our workforce, our economy and the future of our state,” Representative Hoskins said.
Proposal Addressing Utility Rates Introduced: Legislation changing the process of proposing utility rate increases was introduced by Senator Jim Runestad (R-White Lake). This is a reintroduction of the bill, which failed to pass into law during the prior legislative term.
Key Points: In 2008, the law changed to allow utility companies to use a future test instead of actual, audited past data. The change allowed utilities to use speculative projected costs and revenues when requesting to increase rates. Under the bill, when applying for a rate increase with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), a utility provider must submit a 12-month financial breakdown of its costs and revenues. It would require utility companies to rely on actual costs when requesting rate increase approval from the MPSC instead of future projections.
Next Steps: The legislation was referred to the Senate Energy and Environment Committee for consideration.
Spotlight On Representative Bradley Slagh: Representative Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland) is serving his fourth term in the Michigan House of Representatives. Prior to his election to the House, he spent 18 years in the financial services industry. He began serving in public office as Zeeland Township Supervisor and Ottawa County Treasurer. Representative Slagh is a licensed realtor and is the supervising partner of a family-owned property management business.
District: The 85th House District includes parts of Ottawa County, including Georgetown and Zeeland Township, the cities of Hudsonville and Zeeland, and parts of Jamestown and Holland townships.
Committees
Appropriations
Corrections and Judiciary Subcommittee, chair
State and Local Transportation Subcommittee, vice chair
Public Health Subcommittee
Joint Capital Outlay Subcommittee
We asked Representative Slagh a few questions to learn more about him:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – Europe
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – Gardening for vegetables and fruit
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – A cowboy
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – Volleyball
Next Week: The House and Senate are scheduled to hold their typical Tuesday – Thursday session schedule. In observance of Juneteenth, MLC will be closed on Friday, June 19.
Leading up to the August 4 primary, we are highlighting key races shaped by voter demographics in the district. Candidate websites and professional backgrounds are listed when available.
62nd House District Primary Election Overview: Republican Representative Alicia St. Germaine is running for a third term in office. While she doesn’t face a primary race, this fall she will face a general election race. While the partisan split may be close, she is a strong candidate who has performed well in this seat in prior elections.
District Overview: The district includes the city of Fraser, portions of Chesterfield and Clinton townships, portions of the cities of Roseville and St. Clair Shores, and all of Harrison Township.
Democratic Candidates:
Phil Anosike
Craig Plesco
Matthew Smith