No movement on statewide data center moratorium, housing rules

A package of bills introduced in the Michigan legislature, including a proposed statewide data center moratorium and various housing reforms, has stalled with no movement since being referred to committees. The Michigan Center for Community Journalism reported on House Bills 5594-5596, which would enact a data center moratorium until April 1, 2027, prevent the Michigan Public Service Commission from approving special rates for data centers, and amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act to incorporate data center regulations. Representative Jennifer Wortz introduced the moratorium bill, HB5594, which was referred to the Committee on Government Operations in February and has not been placed on the agenda since. Concurrently, a nine-bill housing readiness package, primarily affecting the state's 16 metropolitan statistical areas, has also seen no progress after initial readings and committee referrals. These bills aim to standardize minimum lot sizes, set timelines for development proposal reviews, update protest petition rules, cap dwelling sizes and parking requirements, address setback requirements, and permit duplexes and accessory dwelling units. While Michigan House Democrats support the housing reforms, small and medium-sized municipalities statewide have passed resolutions opposing them, concerned about the potential loss of local regulatory control. Other unrelated bills concerning social media use in schools and tariff disclosures have also been introduced but have not advanced. The article explains Michigan's lengthy legislative process, where bills can easily languish and die in committee or fail to reach the governor's desk.