July 27, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2026
Contact: Press@michigan.gov
Gov. Whitmer Signs Bills to Extend Property Tax Relief, Support the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, and More
LANSING, Mich.—Governor Whitmer signed bipartisan bills making certain programs that help Michigan residents avoid foreclosure due to delinquent property taxes permanent, expanding the ability of the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority to issue bonds, and more. The bills build on Governor Whitmer’s work to grow Michigan’s economy and provide more and stable housing for all Michiganders.
“Every Michigander deserves the chance to stay in their home,” said Governor Whitmer. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to build more homes than any administration in history and help Michiganders stay in their homes through property tax relief and downpayment, rental, and mortgage assistance. This bill will help even more Michiganders stay in their homes, avoid foreclosure, and keep money in their pockets where it belongs. I’m also signing bills to grow our economy and invest in Wayne County. Let’s keep working together to help more people ‘make it’ in Michigan.”
The governor also signed bills to restrict former executive branch officials and legislators from lobbying for two years; prohibit current legislators from engaging in direct lobbying while serving in public office; allow golf carts on certain city streets; credit professional development to members of insurance associations; modify requirements for competitive bidding by county road commissions on certain projects; and transfer state-owned property in Eaton and Kent counties.
Senate Bill 423, sponsored by state Senator Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), amends the General Property Tax Act to make programs that help residents avoid foreclosure due to delinquent property taxes permanent. These include delinquent property tax installment payment plans and tax foreclosure avoidance agreements, which local governments enter into with residents who are delinquent on their property taxes.
Senate Bill 52, sponsored by state Senator Erika Geiss, authorizes the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority to issue revenue bonds including for facilities that it does not own and enter into financing arrangements and public-private partnerships.
Senate Bill 604, sponsored by state Senator Dayna Polehanki, increases the fee that the Michigan Liquor Control Commission is required to pay to authorized distribution agents, certified personnel that warehouse and deliver spirits to vendors in Michigan.
House Bill 4644, sponsored by state Representative Alicia St. Germaine, increases the population threshold from 30,000 to 65,000 for municipalities in Michigan to vote to allow golf carts on city streets and state roads within their boundaries.
House Bill 4062, House Bill 4063, and House Bill 4064, sponsored by state Representative Mark Tisdel, state Representative David Martin, and state Representative Jerry Neyer, prohibit former members of the executive branch and legislature from engaging in certain lobbying activities for two years. The bills also prohibit current state senators and representatives from engaging in direct lobbying while serving in public office.
Senate Bill 133, sponsored by state Senator Sam Singh, credits four hours of professional development to insurance agents who belong to a professional insurance association that meets certain requirements.
House Bills 4023 and 4724, sponsored by state Representative Angela Witwer, and state Representative Bryan Posthumus, transfer surplus state-owned property in Eaton and Kent Counties, saving the state money.
House Bill 4415, sponsored by state Representative Thomas Kuhn, raises the floor for county road commissions must advertise for competitive bids when purchasing tools and other materials, helping them fix roads more efficiently.
House Bill 4187 and House Bill 4824, sponsored by state Representative Pat Outman, and state Representative Matthew Bierlein, implement financial changes necessary for the FY27 budget to be balanced.
House Bill 4042 sponsored by state Representative Tyrone Carter, exempts venues that do not have food preparation areas from the definition of food service establishments, cutting red tape while ensuring that locations where food is prepared continue to be inspected for safety and cleanliness.
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