MICHIGAN STATE LAWS
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (Amendments under 2024–2025 session)
Official Title: An Act to Amend the Michigan Minimum Wage Law
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Primary Sources:
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Raises Michigan’s minimum wage to $13.73 per hour starting January 1, 2026.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: Increases payroll costs for employers paying minimum wage. No new state tax is specified.
Who it affects: Minimum wage workers and employers across Michigan.
Who sponsored or initiated it: Michigan Legislature; signed by Governor.
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some employers expressed concern about increased labor costs.
✅ PROS
• Increases pay for low-wage workers
• Keeps wages more in line with inflation
• Applies statewide
❌ CONS
• Raises employer labor costs
• Could increase prices for goods and services
• May affect hiring decisions
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Michigan’s minimum wage rises to $13.73 per hour in 2026. Employers must pay the higher rate starting January 1.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: Senate Bill 158 & House Bill 4262
Official Title: An Act to Prohibit Automated Purchasing Software for Event Tickets
Effective Date: 2026
Primary Sources:
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Bans the use of automated ticket-buying software (“ticket bots”) for event ticket sales in Michigan.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: NOT SPECIFIED IN PUBLIC RECORDS.
Who it affects: Ticket sellers, event promoters, and consumers purchasing event tickets.
Who sponsored or initiated it: Michigan Legislature; signed by Governor.
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Some ticket resale businesses and secondary market operators expressed concern about enforcement and impact on sales.
✅ PROS
• Protects consumers from unfair ticket-buying practices
• Ensures more equitable ticket access
• Applies statewide
❌ CONS
• Enforcement may be difficult
• Could impact resale markets
• Compliance required for sellers
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Michigan bans automated ticket-buying software in 2026. Consumers will have fairer access to event tickets.
LAW CONFIRMATION
Law or Bill: Cannabis Wholesale Excise Tax Provision (part of 2025 budget legislation)
Official Title: An Act to Provide for a 24 % Wholesale Marijuana Excise Tax
Effective Date: January 1, 2026
Primary Sources:
LAW SUMMARY
What it does: Imposes a 24 % excise tax on wholesale marijuana in Michigan to fund state infrastructure and programs.
Cost to taxpayers or employers: Wholesale cannabis businesses pay the tax; some cost may pass to consumers.
Who it affects: Cannabis growers, distributors, and retailers in Michigan.
Who sponsored or initiated it: Michigan Legislature; signed by Governor.
Who opposed it or concerns raised: Cannabis industry groups raised concerns about higher costs and potential market impact.
✅ PROS
• Generates state revenue for infrastructure
• Creates a uniform statewide tax
• Applies to all wholesale cannabis transactions
❌ CONS
• Increases costs for cannabis businesses
• Potential pass-through to consumer prices
• May impact smaller growers disproportionately
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Michigan imposes a 24 % wholesale marijuana tax starting in 2026. The tax funds state infrastructure and programs.
LAW #1: MICHIGAN SB 217 — INCREASED PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING LAWS THAT HARM VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
Law / Bill: Senate Bill 217 of 2025 — Traffic/Vehicle Offenses Enhancements (Michigan Legislature)
Official Title: Enhances penalties for moving violations that cause physical injury or death to vulnerable roadway users (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.) (Michigan Legislature)
Effective: As passed by Legislature; effective date in state law (if immediate or as scheduled) needs checking via full bill text. (Michigan Legislature)
What it does: Makes traffic violations more serious when they injure or kill vulnerable users (pedestrians, cyclists, etc.). (Michigan Legislature) Enhances penalties for such moving violations. (Michigan Legislature)
Cost to taxpayers / state budget: Some cost increase for criminal justice system (courts, law enforcement) for processing stronger penalties. Possible cost savings if enhanced deterrence reduces crashes/injuries.
Who it helps/affects: Pedestrians, cyclists, other vulnerable roadway users get stronger legal protection. Drivers who commit serious moving violations face stiffer penalties. Law enforcement and traffic courts will handle more serious cases.
Who sponsored / initiated it: Introduced in Michigan Senate and passed. (Exact sponsor names need bill text) (Michigan Legislature)
Who opposed / concerns raised: Some opposition possibly from those worried about harsh penalties or impacts on drivers. Concerns about fairness, enforcement consistency.
✅ PROS
Adds deterrence and increased accountability for drivers who endanger vulnerable road users.
Could reduce serious injuries or deaths on roads.
Sends a message of safety priority for those without vehicle protection.
❌ COND
More pressure on courts and law enforcement resources.
Potentially higher fines or penalties for drivers; could disproportionately impact certain groups.
If enforcement uneven, may lead to unfair outcomes.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
SB 217 strengthens penalties for drivers who injure or kill pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users — better protection for those at risk, with added consequences for harms.
LAW #2: MICHIGAN’S MINIMUM WAGE / TIPPED WAGE + SICK LEAVE OVERHAUL (2025)
Law / Bill: Law passed in 2024/2025 that adjusts minimum wage increases for tipped & non-tipped employees, and expands paid sick leave accrual. (Eater Detroit)
Official Title / Summary: Minimum wage raise timeline & sick leave expansion; tipped wage increases; employees accrue paid sick time annually; carryover rules adjusted. (Eater Detroit)
Effective: Various parts: some effective immediately; others phased in (e.g. wage rises into 2026-2027). (Eater Detroit)
What it does: Raises Michigan’s standard (non-tipped) minimum wage gradually to $15/hr by January 2027. (Eater Detroit) Tipped minimum wage increases by 2% per year until it reaches 50% of the regular wage by 2031. (Eater Detroit) Expands paid sick leave: small businesses (10 or fewer employees) get at least 40 hours/year; larger businesses up to 72 hours. (Eater Detroit) Allows employees to carry over unused paid sick leave (40-72 hours depending on employer size) into the following year. (Eater Detroit)
Cost to taxpayers / employers: Employers face increases in payroll costs. Small businesses in particular may struggle with sudden wage and sick leave cost additions. State cost minimal unless enforcement or subsidies are needed.
Who it helps/affects: Low-wage workers, tipped employees, part-time workers. Workers who need sick leave. Employers must update policies, budget for higher labor costs.
Who sponsored / initiated it: Passed by Michigan Legislature; presumably initiated by Democratic leadership or bipartisan negotiations. (Exact sponsors in legislative record) (Eater Detroit)
Who opposed / concerns raised: Some business groups likely concerned about increased cost burden. Tipped workers’ groups concerned whether tipped wage increases are sufficient or fair. Small business owners my worry about affordability and compliance.
✅ PROS
Raises incomes over time, helping low-wage workers catch up to inflation.
Expands paid sick leave, giving workers more flexibility and health protections.
Sets clearer standards for sick leave, carryover, and wage increases.
❌ CONS
Significant cost increases for businesses, especially small operations.
Some wage hikes phased, so full benefit comes later.
Potential inflation or price pass-through in affected sectors.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
Michigan’s 2025 wage & sick leave reforms steadily raise pay to $15/hr (non-tipped), improve sick leave, and increase tipped wage over time — a win for workers, with cost impacts for employers ahead.
LAW / BILL #3: SB 396 OF 2025 — CARBON SEQUESTRATION REGULATION (ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION)
Law / Bill: Senate Bill 396, Michigan Legislature (2025) (Michigan Legislature)
Official Title: Amends parts of Michigan’s environmental protection law (PA 451) to regulate carbon sequestration (air pollution / natural resources). (Michigan Legislature)
Effective: TBD (when bill is signed / effective date defined in statute) (Michigan Legislature)
What It Does: Adds / updates rules for carbon sequestration — which means capturing and storing carbon dioxide (or similar) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Michigan Legislature) Changes sections in the state’s environmental code related to air pollution & natural resources. (Michigan Legislature)
Cost to taxpayers / state budget: Regulatory oversight & monitoring will cost state agencies. (Michigan Legislature) Companies engaging in carbon sequestration may face costs to meet new rules (permits, safety, infrastructure).
Who it helps / affects: Helps climate / environmental advocates wanting more oversight and greenhouse gas reductions. Entities in energy, emissions, natural resources who want to use or build sequestration projects. Local communities concerned with air pollution, environmental quality.
Who sponsored / initiated it: Introduced as a senate bill (SB 396) in Michigan Legislature. (Michigan Legislature)
Who opposed / concerns raised: Likely concerns from businesses about cost of compliance, risk, liability. Questions about safety, long-term storage, environmental risk from sequestration sites.
✅ PROS
Moves Michigan toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions; part of climate strategy.
Encourages investment in carbon capture technology.
Could improve regulatory clarity and environmental protection.
❌ Cons:
Implementation and regulatory cost burdens for both state and private sector.
Risk of unintended consequences (e.g. leakage, land use issues).
If not monitored well, sequestration might be misused or ineffectively regulated.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
SB 396 aims to bring carbon sequestration under cleaner regulatory control in Michigan — a potential win for climate protection, but one that comes with oversight, cost, and safety trade-offs.
LAW / BILL #4: SENATE BILL 21 OF 2025 — AMENDS TENANT “RIGHT TO REPAIR” / TRUTH & RENTING ACT CHANGES
Law / Bill: Senate Bill 21 (2025), Michigan Legislature (Michigan Legislature)
Official Title: Amends sections of the Truth and Renting Act (1978 PA 454) dealing with tenants' right to repair & landlord/tenant rules. (Michigan Legislature)
Effective: If passed, effective date defined in bill; follow state adoption schedule. (Michigan Legislature)
What It Does: Prohibits tenants from waiving their right to repair in rental housing under certain laws. Meaning landlords can’t include contract terms that make tenants give up that right. (Michigan Legislature) Makes changes to Truth & Renting Act sections 554.633 & 554.634, which govern how tenants can get housing code violations fixed and how repairs are made when landlords don’t act. (Michigan Legislature)
Cost to taxpayers / state budget: Minimal for state; regulatory enforcement costs may increase slightly. Landlords may have increased repair costs and legal obligations.
Who it helps / affects: Helps tenants, especially renters in housing needing maintenance or repairs. Landlords are required to maintain housing code and to act when issues arise. Local housing/code enforcement bodies.
Who sponsored / initiated it: Sponsored in Michigan Senate (SB 21). (Michigan Legislature)
Who opposed / concerns raised: Landlord groups may worry about increased cost and liability. Some landlords may see this as reducing flexibility or increasing risk.
✅ PROS
Empowers renters to live in safe, well-maintained housing.
Prevents landlords from inserting unfair lease terms that shift responsibility.
Strengthens housing code enforcement / rights.
❌ CONS
Increased repair / maintenance costs for landlords, especially with older buildings.
Potential for disputes/litigation over what counts as “repair” or “waiver.”
Enforcement may need capacity (local building inspectors, etc.) to follow through.
THE BALLOT BEACON TAKEAWAY:
SB 21 in Michigan restores and protects renters’ “right to repair” by banning contracts that waive it — offering stronger housing safety for tenants, with added obligations (and costs) for landlords.