Michigan Senate Bill SB0642

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/30/25
• Refer: 10/30/25

Caption

Economic development: other; the management and budget act; amend to reflect elimination of the Michigan strategic fund. Amends sec. 125 of 1984 PA 431 (MCL 18.1125). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0631'25

Summary

SB 642 amends the Management and Budget Act section governing the use of state department property for film production. It authorizes the director of a state department to allow film productions to use property under the department’s control without charge, subject to terms and conditions set by the director, and treats the economic and other benefits of filming in Michigan as the consideration received by the state. The bill also directs the department to cooperate with the Michigan Film Office by sharing information about potential filming locations and the use of department-controlled property. The bill places limits on what productions may use state property. The director may not approve use of the property for productions containing obscene matter or obscene performances, or for productions that would require performer records under federal law governing age-verification documentation for adult content. The bill also broadens the statutory definition of “film” to include a wide range of media, including television programming, commercials, internet programming, video games, digital animation, sound recordings, and interactive websites.

Impact

The bill would amend MCL 18.1125 in the Management and Budget Act to clarify and expand the state’s authority to support film production on state-controlled property. It would preserve the existing policy of allowing free use of state property for filming, while expressly recognizing the economic value of production activity as sufficient consideration. It also adds a cooperation requirement between state departments and the Michigan Film Office, and it updates statutory definitions to reflect modern digital and multimedia production formats. The bill is tie-barred to SB 631, meaning it would not take effect unless that related bill is enacted.

Sentiment

The available context suggests the bill is primarily a technical and economic-development measure, with no recorded committee testimony or votes indicating strong opposition or support. Its purpose appears to be to facilitate film production in Michigan and align the statute with current industry practices and the proposed elimination of the Michigan Strategic Fund. The absence of recorded debate or votes makes the overall sentiment difficult to gauge, but the bill’s framing suggests a generally pro-development, administrative tone.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the scope of state support for private film productions and the content restrictions placed on access to state property. Some may view the bill as an economic-development incentive that helps attract productions and promote Michigan locations, while others may question the use of public property for private entertainment projects. The prohibition on obscene productions and productions subject to federal performer-recordkeeping requirements also suggests concern about limiting state involvement in adult-content production. Finally, the tie-bar to SB 631 means the bill’s effect depends on enactment of the related Michigan Strategic Fund legislation, which could be a procedural point of concern.