Jurisdiction
Honigman has opened an office in Boston, its ninth in the United States and its first in the Northeast, by hiring life sciences patent partners Cristin Cowles, Danielle Herritt and Deborah Vernon from Womble Bond Dickinson. The firm announced the move on October 26, 2026. It is Honigman's first new location since it opened in Washington, D.C., in 2020.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2026-15 on October 12, 2026, declaring a statewide state of energy emergency. The order suspends Motor Fuel Tax Act provisions that bar dyed diesel in farm and wood-harvester vehicles on public roads. The suspension is effective immediately and runs no later than December 31, 2026.
Michigan enacted Senate Bill 102 as 2026 Public Act 112 on October 9, 2026, amending section 1 of 1895 Public Act 161. The act adds subsections (6) to (9) to MCL 48.101 for electronic copies of county treasurer records. A treasurer charges at most 30 cents per parcel record, capped at $2,000 per request, and transmits records electronically in a delimited, open-standards format.
Michigan enacted the Motor Vehicle Dealer Data Collection Act as Public Act 113 of 2026 on October 9, 2026, with immediate effect. The act bars manufacturers and third parties from requiring dealer-system access or using protected dealer data without prior express written consent, limits charges to disclosed actual costs, and requires dealer data vendors to offer standardized open integration and 90-day contract termination.
Michigan enacted Public Act 114 of 2026 on October 9, 2026, amending the Public Health Code sections on psychologist licensing. The act revises licensure requirements for limited license psychologists, including supervised postgraduate experience, allows limited licensees to practice without supervision within their qualifications, and changes Michigan Board of Psychology membership. The Michigan Psychological Association states practice changes await Board of Psychology regulations.
Michigan enacted Public Act 109 of 2026 (HB 4598), amending MCL 752.1084 of the Organized Retail Crime Act. Starting January 3, 2027, it is a crime to knowingly, and with intent to defraud, acquire gift cards or redemption information, alter or tamper with them, exploit holders, issuers or sellers, or use such cards to obtain value. Organized retail crime is a felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.
Michigan enacted Public Act 111 of 2026 (HB 5514), the preventing restraints in youth transport act, effective October 5, 2026. Youth transportation companies taking minors to residential treatment programs may not use blindfolds, hoods or mechanical restraints, may use physical holds only when serious physical harm is imminent and staff are trained, and may not pick up a youth between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Violations carry civil fines up to $1,000.
Michigan enacted Public Act 104 of 2026 (SB 433), adding MCL 380.1509. By July 1, 2027, DHHS must develop a notice in English, Spanish and Arabic on the dangers of THC, tobacco, vapor, alternative nicotine and synthetic intoxicating hemp products, and update it every year. Starting in 2027-28, districts, intermediate districts, academies and nonpublic schools must get it to every pupil's parent by October 1 each year.
U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering dismissed Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s antitrust suit against BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute on September 22, 2026. The court held Michigan lacked antitrust standing under the Sherman and Clayton Acts: the alleged decades-long conspiracy was not plausibly pleaded to have proximately caused retail energy overcharges, and Illinois Brick bars most indirect-purchaser overcharge damages. Beckering dismissed the federal claim with prejudice and declined supplemental jurisdiction over the state claim.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 1013 on September 21, 2026, prohibiting insurers from using price optimization in no-fault auto insurance rating. The law adds MCL 500.2027a and was assigned Public Act 98 of 2026 with immediate effect. It codifies a 2024 Department of Insurance and Financial Services bulletin barring willingness-to-pay pricing in auto insurance.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 1013 on September 21, 2026, now 2026 Public Act 98, effective immediately. It adds section 2027a to the Insurance Code (MCL 500.2027a), making it an unfair or deceptive practice for a property and casualty insurer to use price optimization in ratemaking: charging on an insured's price tolerance through adjustments not actuarially justified and unrelated to risk of loss or expense. The governor's office says it codifies a 2024 DIFS bulletin.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 1052 on September 21, 2026, now 2026 Public Act 97, effective immediately. It amends the Medicaid False Claim Act (MCL 400.604) so that model arrangements and model patient incentives authorized and sponsored by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services do not constitute a kickback or bribe under Michigan's Medicaid anti-kickback provision, which otherwise carries up to four years' imprisonment or a $30,000 fine.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 22 on September 21, 2026, now 2026 Public Act 102, effective immediately. It amends the Landlord and Tenant Relationships Act, 1972 PA 348, so a landlord may return a security deposit balance by direct deposit or electronic transfer to a bank account, or to an internet or mobile payment account, instead of a check with the notice of damages. The landlord must deposit the amount within 10 days of mailing the notice.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 373 on September 21, 2026, now 2026 Public Act 103, effective immediately. It amends MCL 554.633 so that a residential rental agreement may not impose an added charge or fee on every permitted method of paying rent: where more than one method is allowed, at least one must be fee-free. A violating provision is void. The Senate passed the bill 24-12 on July 3 and the House 99-5 on August 25.
On September 16, 2026 Clio said former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, currently president and CEO of the American Arbitration Association, will join as general manager, judiciary, starting in October. She will lead market and commercial strategy for Clio’s courts business alongside Pablo Arredondo, who joined as senior vice president, judiciary. Legaltech News, LawSites, and Legal IT Insider reported the appointment.