2024 Senate Bill 880

Human services: services or financial assistance; Michigan energy assistance act; modify.

A bill to amend 1939 PA 3, entitled “An act to provide for the regulation and control of public and certain private utilities and other services affected with a public interest within this state; to provide for alternative energy suppliers and certain providers of electric vehicle charging services; to provide for licensing; to include municipally owned utilities and other providers of energy under certain provisions of this act; to create a public service commission and to prescribe and define its powers and duties; to abolish the Michigan public utilities commission and to confer the powers and duties vested by law on the public service commission; to provide for the powers and duties of certain state governmental officers and entities; to provide for the continuance, transfer, and completion of certain matters and proceedings; to abolish automatic adjustment clauses; to prohibit certain rate increases without notice and hearing; to qualify residential energy conservation programs permitted under state law for certain federal exemption; to create a fund; to encourage the utilization of resource recovery facilities; to prohibit certain acts and practices of providers of energy; to allow for the securitization of stranded costs; to reduce rates; to provide for appeals; to provide appropriations; to declare the effect and purpose of this act; to prescribe remedies and penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 9t (MCL 460.9t), as added by 2013 PA 95.

Mackinac Center Analysis

This bill doubles the amount of money that can be collected for MEAP. MEAP increases are becoming more important because the net zero mandates are going to make electricity too expensive for many Michigan families. Therefore, this bill begins the process of socializing the costs of forcing net zero onto the average Michigan ratepayer, but does it under the cover of helping the poor. (To each according to their need. From each according to their ability.)

Introduced in the Senate

May 22, 2024

Introduced by Sen. Sam Singh (D-28)

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Environment

June 26, 2024

Discharged from committee

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

Reported with substitute S-1

Substitute S-1 concurred in by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 28 to 10 (details)

Received in the House

June 26, 2024

Referred to the Committee on Energy, Communications, and Technology

Nov. 13, 2024

Reported with substitute H-1

Dec. 10, 2024

Substitute H-1 concurred in by voice vote

Substitute H-2 offered by Rep. David Prestin (R-108)

The substitute failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 56 to 52 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-9)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

Dec. 11, 2024

Substitute H-1 concurred in 25 to 11 (details)