Bill > SB0251

This bill establishes a new Office of Residential Water Affordability within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to address water access and affordability for residents. The bill declares that every individual should have access to safe, clean, and affordable water for basic human needs, and requires all state departments and agencies to develop residential water affordability criteria. The new office will be responsible for tracking data on water providers in the state, monitoring the status of residential water affordability programs, and maintaining a public website with comprehensive information about these programs. The bill defines key terms such as "provider" (a community water supply that provides retail water service) and "residential water affordability program" (a low-income water assistance program). Importantly, the bill emphasizes that it does not expand the state's obligation to provide water or require additional infrastructure development, and it does not infringe on the rights of public water systems. The bill will only take effect if two related Senate Bills (SB 248 and SB 250) are also enacted into law, suggesting it is part of a broader legislative package aimed at improving water accessibility and affordability in Michigan.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0251