2025 was a fairly sluggish year for the Michigan Legislature. A few major pieces of legislation crossed the finish line (including a revamp of the Earned Sick Time Act and a largely favorable state budget), but for the most part, the two Chambers were hesitant to move each other’s bills, leading to an impasse that prevented much in the way of legislative action.

Impact on Michigan Retailers

That impasse almost certainly benefited Michigan retailers; neither party has a monopoly on misguided ideas, and our current divided government has stopped several unappealing policies from both sides of the aisle from seeing the light of day. Still, there is much left on the table to be accomplished in 2026, and a host of new issues as well.

Expect Early Action in 2026

MRA expects swift action on House Bills 4598 and 4599, the gift card fraud prevention bills that have enjoyed bipartisan support thus far. A bill authorizing pharmacies to be reimbursed for services performed under the federal PREP Act has been passed in one chamber and introduced in the other. Several smaller reforms around liquor licensing appear to have a good shot at bipartisan action.

A New Priority: Legal System Reform

One new priority in the new year is the ongoing advocacy effort of the Michigan Alliance for Legal Reform, of which MRA is a major member.

The Alliance, announced in November 2025, is focused on restoring fairness and balance in the state’s legal system, reining in various forms of lawsuit abuse that make it harder for Michigan retailers to do business. A particularly relevant example to retailers is a bill to restore the state’s “open and obvious” doctrine as a means to push back against frivolous or excessive lawsuits around premises liability in instances where the hazard was “open and obvious” to a reasonable person.

This is an important protection for retailers, especially when hazards exist—like an icy sidewalk or a pothole in the parking lot—that are outside of a retailer’s control.

Looking ahead, 2026 offers Michigan an opportunity to break out of the stalemate of the past year and pursue a focused, bipartisan agenda that strengthens the state’s business climate. Michigan’s retail community has a clear stake in that progress.