Crimes: penalties; penalties for discharging a firearm at a motor vehicle; increase fines if a minor is in the vehicle. Amends 1931 PA 328 (MCL 750.1 - 750.568) by adding sec. 234g.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Arbit and 17 co-sponsors

HB 5744 bans discharging a firearm at an occupied vehicle with penalties up to 10–20 years, higher if a minor is present.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, JUDICIARY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY

#crimes:penalties #crimes:weapons

Purpose and intent

HB 5744, along with its companion HB 5745 (Messiah’s Law), would add new felonies to Michigan’s Penal Code for discharging a firearm at a motor vehicle that is occupied or believed to be occupied, with harsher penalties if a minor is in the vehicle.

The measure is named “Messiah’s Law” in reference to a fatal incident in Flint in 2020.

Key provisions

New offense: Discharging a firearm at a motor vehicle that the offender knows or has reason to believe is occupied.

General rule: Felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
Enhanced offense when a minor is believed to be in the vehicle: Felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison or a fine up to $20,000, or both.

Companion changes to sentencing guidelines (HB 5745):

Class D felony for discharging a firearm at an occupied motor vehicle (maximum 10-year term).
Class B felony for discharging a firearm at a motor vehicle occupied by a minor (maximum 20-year term).
HB 5745 cannot take effect unless HB 5744 is enacted.

Effective date: Each act would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Who/what would be affected

Offenders who intentionally discharge a firearm at motor vehicles they know or have reason to believe are occupied.

Elevates penalties significantly if the vehicle is occupied by a minor.

The changes affect:

State penal offenses (HB 5744).
Sentencing guidelines (HB 5745).

Potential downstream effects on state prison and probation populations, as well as local court caseloads and enforcement training.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative history:

Introduced March 18, 2026; referred to Government Operations, later advanced through House processes.
On May 14, 2026, HB 5744 and HB 5745 were reported out and passed the House with immediate effect; HB 5744 subsequently received 2nd/3rd readings and was enacted with an immediate effective date.
Final action: May 19, 2026, House approval with immediate effect; measures tied together (HB 5745 cannot take effect without HB 5744).

Effective date specifics:

Each act would take effect 90 days after enactment.

Fiscal and implementation notes

Fiscal impact: Indeterminate. Potential increased state prison and probation costs due to new felonies, with higher per-prisoner costs (approximately $48,100/year in 2025) and probation costs (~$5,400/year). Local court systems could see variable impacts depending on caseloads and enforcement.

Revenue implications: Any additional fines could fund public and county law libraries.

Administrative notes: Changes would require updates to charging practices, sentencing computations, and training for law enforcement and prosecutors.

Summary

HB 5744 creates a new set of felonies for discharging a firearm at an occupied motor vehicle, with substantially higher penalties if a minor is in the vehicle. HB 5745 aligns sentencing guidelines to classify these offenses as Class D (general) and Class B (minor-in-vehicle) felonies, respectively. The bills are marketed as “Messiah’s Law” and would take effect 90 days after enactment. The expected fiscal impact is uncertain, but potential higher inmate and probation costs, along with local court impacts, are noted.