A look at some of the new laws taking effect in Michigan in 2026

Less is more! Celebrating the low number of new laws passed in 2025.

A nice list from News Channel 3, accessible at the link.

https://wwmt.com/news/local/new-laws-taking-effect-michigan-2026-new-year-legislation-bills-politics-government-taylor-swift-law-education-child-care-safety-lansing-state

A look at some of the new laws taking effect in Michigan in 2026

Remington Hernandez    |    December 29, 2025 

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.

Click here to view the PDF file

One of the biggest laws deals with transparency on how state lawmakers spend your tax dollars.

Staring January 1, Public Acts 32 and 33 require the details of all proposed enhancement grant funding, known as earmarks, to be published online. The disclosure would include information on the legislators proposing the grants and the recipients.

For-profit entities will be barred from receiving the grants, as well, and recipients must be established in Michigan for three years, among other requirements.

Another law taking effect on the first, Public Act 59, would allow vehicle repair shop owners to operate another shop under the same license.

The 24 other laws take effect March 24.

Among them, Public Act 52, which puts more speech protections in place , allowing for quicker review of what are often referred to as "strategic lawsuits against public participation"

Those lawsuits are typically brought against people weighing in on public issues when their comments reflect unfavorably on the plaintiff.

Public Act 35 allows legislative Sergeants at Arms and their officers to enforce laws and protect legislators outside of the capitol grounds.

Public Act 49, nicknamed the "Taylor Swift Law," bans event ticket bots and attempts at getting tickets through prohibited means.

Public Act 48 allows schools to teach an elective firearm safety course.

Public Act 60 paves the way for child care centers to install door locks for use during security incidents.

Public Act 46 increases the fines for racial discrimination in insurance to as high as one thousand dollars.

Both houses of the Legislature will be back in session January 14. Whether the record low stays that way is left for them to decide.