Michigan Senate Bill SB0652

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

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

Caption

Economic development: other; local government filming location access act; amend to reflect elimination of the Michigan strategic fund. Amends sec. 3 & 5 of 2008 PA 84 (MCL 123.1193 & 123.1195). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0631'25

Summary

Senate Bill 652 would amend Michigan’s Local Government Filming Location Access Act to update definitions and clarify how local governments may support film production. The bill broadens the statutory definition of “film” to explicitly include a wide range of modern media formats, such as internet programming, video games, digital animation, interactive websites, commercials, and sound recordings, in addition to traditional film and television content. It also updates the act’s references to the Michigan film office and related terminology. The bill preserves the existing rule that local units of government may allow film producers to use public property without charge, subject to local terms and conditions, and it continues to treat the economic and other benefits of film production as the value received in exchange for that use. It also adds a prohibition on authorizing use of public property for productions containing obscene material or performances, or productions that would require performer recordkeeping under federal law (18 USC 2257). In addition, local governments would be required to cooperate with the Michigan film office by sharing information about potential filming locations and the use of public property. The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 631, meaning it would not take effect unless that companion bill becomes law.

Impact

SB 652 would amend sections 3 and 5 of 2008 PA 84, the Local Government Filming Location Access Act, changing how Michigan law defines covered film productions and how local governments may facilitate filming on public property. It would affect counties, cities, villages, townships, districts, and other local authorities by clarifying their authority to provide free access to public property for filming, while also imposing limits related to obscene content and federal performer-recordkeeping requirements. The bill also reinforces coordination with the Michigan film office and is intended to reflect the elimination of the Michigan Strategic Fund in the act’s references.

Sentiment

The available context suggests the bill is generally supportive of film-industry development and local-government cooperation with production activity. Its structure indicates a pro-economic-development approach, aiming to make Michigan more attractive to a broader range of media productions and to streamline access to public filming locations. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or debate in the materials supplied.

Contention

The main points of potential contention are the new restrictions on productions involving obscene matter and the incorporation of federal performer-recordkeeping requirements, which could raise questions about enforcement and the scope of local discretion. Another possible issue is the bill’s tie-bar to SB 631, meaning its effectiveness depends on enactment of a separate companion measure. Because no committee discussion or vote record is included, it is not possible to identify specific lawmakers or stakeholder groups that raised objections, but any concerns would likely center on local control, content restrictions, and administrative compliance.