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SB 491

Appropriations: supplemental; economic development incentive evaluations for SOAR projects; require. Amends secs. 3, 5 & 7 of 2018 PA 540 (MCL 18.1753 et seq.) & adds sec. 7a.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Thomas Albert

Michigan bill requiring supplemental appropriations and mandatory economic development evaluations for state-funded SOAR projects to ensure program accountability and measure effectiveness.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
#appropriations:supplemental #economicdevelopment:other #stateagencies(existing):laborandeconomicopportunity #statemanagement:funds
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Bill Summary · SB 491

Legislative bill overview

SB 491 amends Michigan's 2018 economic development law to require supplemental appropriations and mandate economic development incentive evaluations specifically for SOAR (State Opportunity Accelerator Response) projects. The bill modifies existing provisions and adds new evaluation requirements to the statutory framework governing these economic development initiatives.

Why is this important

SOAR projects represent targeted state investments in economically distressed areas, and requiring formal evaluations ensures public accountability for how taxpayer money is being spent on economic development incentives. These evaluations could inform whether such programs are achieving their intended outcomes and justify continued or modified funding.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact uncertainty: The bill requires supplemental appropriations but doesn't specify the amount, making it unclear how much additional state funding will be needed and what programs might be cut to accommodate it
  • Evaluation standards undefined: The bill doesn't detail what criteria will be used to evaluate SOAR projects, leaving implementation details unclear and potentially subject to political interpretation
  • Geographic equity concerns: Focusing incentive evaluations solely on SOAR projects may raise questions about whether other economically disadvantaged regions receive similar scrutiny or support

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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