A look at some of the new laws taking effect in Michigan in 2026
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LANSING, Mich. — It wasn’t exactly a banner year for the Michigan Legislature when it came to passing laws, as the state is on track to see the fewest number of laws passed ever in a two-year session.
74 were signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2025. Most have already gone into effect, but 27 will become law in the new year.
Oneofthebiggestlawsdealswithtransparencyonhowstatelawmakersspendyourtaxdollars.
StaringJanuary1,PublicActs32and33requirethedetailsofallproposedenhancementgrantfunding,knownasearmarks,tobepublishedonline.Thedisclosurewouldincludeinformationonthelegislatorsproposingthegrantsandtherecipients.
For-profitentitieswillbebarredfromreceivingthegrants,aswell,andrecipientsmustbeestablishedinMichiganforthreeyears,amongotherrequirements.
Anotherlawtakingeffectonthefirst,PublicAct59,wouldallowvehiclerepairshopownerstooperateanothershopunderthesamelicense.
The24otherlawstakeeffectMarch24.
Amongthem,PublicAct52,whichputsmorespeechprotectionsinplace,allowingforquickerreviewofwh





