House Bill 6065 would create a new “Make It in Michigan” tax credit program within the Michigan Income Tax Act. The Department of Treasury would be directed to establish and administer the program, which is intended to encourage recent college graduates to remain in Michigan or move to the state for employment. The bill ties the credit to related provisions in companion legislation and defines key terms such as “qualified taxpayer,” “qualified employee,” “qualified student loan,” and “resident.”
Under the bill, eligible individuals would be Michigan residents who earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or other higher graduate degree from a postsecondary educational institution after the effective date of the amendatory act, and who are employed by an employer located in Michigan. The bill also defines student loans broadly to include both state and federal education loans. The measure is structured as part of a package and would not take effect unless several companion bills in the same legislative package are also enacted.
HB6065 would amend the Michigan Income Tax Act by adding a new section establishing a tax credit framework for recent graduates, thereby creating a new state tax incentive aimed at workforce retention and recruitment. It would affect the Department of Treasury’s administrative responsibilities and potentially reduce income tax liability for qualifying residents who meet the bill’s education, residency, and employment requirements. The bill also interacts with companion legislation referenced in the enacting section, meaning its legal effect depends on enactment of the broader package.
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the available context suggests the bill is policy-driven and promotional in tone, with an emphasis on keeping educated workers in Michigan. The stated purpose is to support graduate retention and in-state employment, which typically reflects a pro-economic-development sentiment. Because there is no recorded debate or vote history in the provided materials, there is no documented public opposition or support to characterize beyond the bill’s stated objectives.
The main potential points of contention are likely to be the cost of the tax credit, whether it effectively influences graduate retention, and how narrowly or broadly eligibility is defined. Questions may also arise about fairness to taxpayers who did not attend college, the administrative burden on Treasury, and whether the residency and employment requirements are too restrictive or too permissive. The bill is also contingent on passage of multiple companion bills, so its implementation depends on a broader legislative package rather than standalone enactment.