News

The Legislature finished the FY 23/24 budget on June 28 th . This budget is the largest in the state’s history at $81.7 billion dollars. There are several one-time funded projects in the budget which may require further revenue in the upcoming years. There were also several additions to the School Aid budget including raising per pupil funding. The main two budget issues that are important to RPOA-M are the $50 million increase for the Michigan Housing and Community Development Program and the $2 million dollar increase for the State Land Bank Authority. The Michigan Housing and Community Development Program was created to generate more affordable housing and revitalize downtown areas. The majority of those new funds will be going to a grant program for pre-weatherization and home repairs.

Through the months of July and August the Legislature is scheduled for six days total of actual session and days for potential committee hearings. Historically, any days scheduled in the summer are very light on business. The majority of members will be spending time in their districts working directly with their constituency. They will be back with a regular session schedule after Labor Day. As a result, Lansing will be relatively quiet the next several weeks.

Supremes Agree To Hear Short-Term Rental Case

The Michigan Supreme Court agreed to hear oral arguments on an Ottawa County couple's appeal of a ruling that said their home cannot be used for a short-term rental.

The court's recent order invited the Michigan Townships Association and Michigan Municipal League as well as the Real Property Law and Government Law Sections of the State Bar of Michigan to submit a brief on the issue.

No date for arguments has been set as of today.

Susan REAUME's 2017 application for a short-term rental license that would have allowed her and her husband to rent out their 5,300-square-foot home at 18190 Lovell Road was denied and the local Zoning Board of Appeals denied her appeal.

The Ottawa County Circuit Court affirmed the denial as did the state Court of Appeals, who held short-term rental wasn't permitted under the township's zoning ordinances. (See "Court Rules Township Can Ban Short-Term Rentals," 5/22/19.)

Short-term rentals in residential areas is an issue that reached the Legislature in April 2017 when Rep. Jason SHEPPARD (R-Temperance) and then-Sen. Joe [HUNE] (R-Hamburg Twp.) introduced  HB 4503 and  SB 0329, respectively, that proposed mandating all residential zones allow short-term rentals. Both were referred to committees where they stalled. (See "MLTB: Leave Short-Term Rentals Under Control Of Local Governments," 10/4/17 and "Short-Term Vacation Rentals Pit Locals, Property Owners," 4/28/17.)

In January, Sheppard introduced  HB 4046, which limits regulation of vacation rentals and short-term rentals by local zoning. The proposed bill has been referred to the Committee on Local Government and Municipal Finance. (See "Realtors, Municipals Go Toe-to-Toe Over AirBNB Rental Zoning," 5/1/19.)

The Mara is excited to announce that we have updated our website. This will give our members more access to information about upcoming events and make it easier for investors to join the MARA and manage their memberships.