MLC Insider Intelligence: March 13, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The House held its typical Tuesday-Thursday session schedule, while the Senate met on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Budget Status: House and Senate Subcommittees are holding hearings on the areas within their purview. House Subcommittee Chairs have been given their targets.
Energy Plan Announced: This week, members of the House Republican Caucus announced a plan they say refocuses Michigan’s energy policy on reliability and affordability. At a press conference, one of the sponsors, Representative Steve Frisbie (R-Pennfield), stated that the proposal will restore flexibility for utilities and prioritize grid performance, fuel security, and affordability for residents and businesses.
Key Points: Most notably, it repeals a 2023 law requiring 100% of Michigan’s power to come from renewable sources. Additionally, the proposal prohibits third-party advocacy organizations from being funded through utility rates paid by customers. It would require full-cost accounting for all energy sources, including backup power and grid upgrades needed when demand cannot be met, and require the Michigan Public Service Commission to approve utility plans based on system reliability, peak-demand performance, and cost efficiency for ratepayers.
Next Steps: Legislation will be introduced in the coming weeks. Given that the 2023 law was signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, it seems unlikely that she would sign legislation repealing it.
Legislation Proposes Electing Energy Regulators: The three members of the Michigan Public Service Commission would be elected under recently introduced legislation. Currently, commissioners are appointed by the governor for staggered six-year terms.
Key Points: In addition to changing to elected positions, it would expand the number of commissioners from three to five and enact 12-year term limits. If signed into law, the bill would take effect beginning with the 2028 general election. During the first election in 2028, three members would be elected to four-year terms, and two members would be elected to two-year terms. During the 2030 general election, the two members who were elected to two-year terms would be up for reelection for full four-year terms, and all following elections would be for four-year terms. Under this plan, three members would be elected in presidential election years, and two members would be elected during the midterm election cycles. The legislation was referred to the House Government Operations Committee for consideration.
Michigan Public Service Commission: Its mission is to ensure safe, reliable, and accessible energy and telecommunication services at reasonable rates. No more than two commissioners may represent the same political party, and one commissioner is designated as chair by the governor. The current commissioners are Dan Scripps, chair, Katherine Peretick, and Shaquila Myers.
Senate Passes Medical Debt Reforms: Bipartisan legislation aiming to address the growing problem of medical debt in Michigan passed the Senate this week. Medical debt is the number one cause of bankruptcy in Michigan, and nationally, nearly one-third of working-age adults are in debt due to medical or dental bills. Additionally, in her State of the State address last month, Governor Whitmer called for action to be taken to address medical debt.
Key Points: The legislation prevents medical debt from being included in consumer credit reports, and caps interest and late fees on medical debt at 3% annually, beginning after a 90-day grace period. Furthermore, it prohibits liens and home foreclosures resulting from medical debt, wage garnishment for patients who qualify for financial assistance, and deferring, denying, and requiring payment before providing emergency or urgent services due to outstanding medical debt. Hospitals would also be required to provide standardized financial assistance programs. The bill package was referred to the House Health Policy Committee for consideration.
Importance: “The Senate passing these bills marks a significant first step in delivering real relief for our state’s medical debt crisis,” said Senator Lindsey. “Right now, too many Michiganders are burdened by medical debt with limited opportunities to escape it. Senator Anthony has been a leader on this issue, and our partnership on these legislative packages will ensure transparency in charity care and strengthen our state’s laws on medical debt.”
Premises Liability Clarification Passes: This week, the Michigan House passed legislation aimed at clarifying Michigan’s premises liability laws. The bill responds to Michigan court rulings, which shifted the “open and obvious” doctrine from a complete legal defense to only one factor considered in liability cases. According to the sponsor, these rulings created uncertainty for property owners and small businesses statewide.
Key Points: Introduced by Representative Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), the bill restores the previous standard by clarifying that property owners generally do not have a duty to protect against hazards that are open and obvious. However, claims can proceed when dangerous conditions are effectively unavoidable or pose an unusually high risk of severe harm. Additionally, it prevents individuals injured while committing crimes from suing the property owners they were victimizing. The bill will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
Importance: “House Bill 4582 restores balance to Michigan law,” Neyer said. “This legislation protects workers, entrepreneurs, and local businesses while ensuring legitimate victims can still pursue justice. It’s about fairness, predictability, and bringing some common sense back to our legal system.”
Spotlight On Senator Mary Cavanagh: Senator Cavanagh (D-Redford) is serving her first term in the Michigan Senate. She is currently serving as chair of the Michigan Latino Caucus, deputy whip of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and is a member of the Progressive Women’s Caucus, Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, Firearms and Safety Caucus, and the Disability Caucus. Prior to her election to the Senate, she served in the Michigan House of Representatives. She previously worked as an AmeriCorps member, serving in Detroit Public Schools, as a direct care worker for those with behavioral and intellectual challenges, and as a director for a company dedicated to preserving home ownership and community revitalization. Senator Cavanagh holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Wayne State University.
District: She represents the 6th Michigan Senate District, which includes Northwest Detroit, Redford, Livonia, Farmington, and Farmington Hills.
Committees: Senator Cavanagh chairs the LEO/MEDC Subcommittee and the LARA/DIFS Subcommittee, in addition to serving as majority vice chair of the Economic and Community Development Committee. She is a member of the following committees: Appropriations, DHHS Subcommittee, PreK-12 Subcommittee, Housing and Human Services, and Labor.
We asked Senator Cavanagh a few questions to learn more about her:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – Norway
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – Hiking
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – A zoologist
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – Lions football
Next Week: The House and Senate are scheduled to hold their typical Tuesday – Thursday session schedule. This is the final week for the House before a three-week spring break.