One of the first pieces of legislation submitted this term is a re-introduction of the dark stores big box property valuation fix that the Municipal League has been advocating for in recent years.  Seeking to address the unfair situation resulting from a precedent-setting Michigan Tax Tribunal decision, the legislation introduced in the House and the Senate would clearly establish guidelines for the Tax Tribunal to consider during commercial property tax appeals and would restrict the use of self-imposed deed restrictions from significantly impacted a property’s value, for tax purposes.

Four new bills have been introduced with broad bi-partisan support in both the House and the Senate during the first weeks of session.  House Bills 4025 (LaFave) & 4047 (Brixie) and Senate Bills 26 (McBroom) & 39, represent the starting point for discussions that have now begun between the sponsors and stakeholders on this issue. Each of the sponsors have expressed passionate support for addressing this issue as soon as possible to avoid further damage to communities around the state.

Stay tuned here for updates on this important issue in the coming weeks and be sure to contact your State Representatives and Senators and ask for their support of these bills.

Chris Hackbarth is the League’s director of state & federal affairs. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 and [email protected].