Closing the Year Strong: Essential Priorities to Secure Michigan’s Economic Momentum 

As the legislative calendar winds down, state lawmakers have a crucial opportunity to pass practical solutions that strengthen the economy, expand the talent pipeline, and bring fairness to the legal system. While the legislature is not going to have many days in session before 2027, these are some of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s end-of-year legislative priorities. 

Healthcare providers across the state continue to manage persistent staffing pressures. House Bill 6156, introduced by Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown), offers a targeted strategy to help expand the clinical pipeline for advanced practice registered nurses.

The legislation creates an income tax credit for qualifying healthcare professionals who serve as preceptors for advanced practice nursing clinical rotations. Under the proposal, preceptors who receive no separate compensation for these instructional hours can claim a $500 credit per 250 hours completed, up to an annual maximum of $1,500. Increasing the number of preceptors in the state would lead to more nursing students and nursing talent.

HB 6156 was introduced in July 2026 and is currently in the House Health Policy Committee. 

Unregulated third-party litigation financing places an unnecessary burden on employers and the broader judicial system. House Bill 5281, introduced by Rep. Mike Harris (R-Clarkston), establishes the Third-Party Litigation Funding Transparency Act to bring oversight into consumer and commercial funding agreements.

The bill establishes registration mandates with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, sets disclosure requirements in civil proceedings, caps consumer interest charges at 36% annually, and prohibits foreign entities of concern from financing state litigation. Establishing clear ground rules for litigation financing protects Michiganders and businesses from predatory legal tactics and maintains predictability in the civil justice system.

HB 5281 passed the House and is currently in the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs.

Michigan invests substantial resources in education, training, and talent attraction, yet state systems lack the detailed workforce data needed to evaluate which programs produce quality employment outcomes.

Updating unemployment insurance reporting requirements to collect job title, total hours worked, and primary worksite location would transform the State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) into an actionable talent platform. Capturing these three data fields allows state leaders, educators, and employers to track career progression, differentiate between full- and part-time roles, and identify regional talent deficits. Broadening these data collection efforts aligns Michigan with leading states like Washington, Indiana, and South Carolina, ensuring that public investments yield measurable economic mobility.  

Finally, if a final state budget supplemental is considered, fiscal prudence must remain the chief priority. Lawmakers must deliver a balanced, responsible year-end spending plan that focuses state resources on foundational drivers of growth, specifically workforce development, economic development infrastructure, and talent retention. Prioritizing sustainable investments over short-term spending ensures long-term stability across the Detroit Region.