State management: other; outside military activity in this state; prohibit unless authorized by the governor. Amends title of 1967 PA 150 (MCL 32.501 - 32.851) & adds sec. 132.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Arbit and 21 co-sponsors

HB 4796 would require the governor's permission for armed forces from outside Michigan to enter for military duty, with a federal exception for units acting under the President.

bill electronically reproduced 08/21/2025

#militaryaffairs:other #stateagencies(existing):executiveoffice #statemanagement:other

Overview

HB 4796 proposes a targeted change to Michigan’s 1967 Michigan Military Act (MCL 32.501 – 32.851) by amending its title and adding a new Section 132. The bill would restrict the entry of armed military forces from other states, territories, or districts into Michigan for military duty, requiring the Governor’s permission, with a specific exception for U.S. armed forces acting under presidential authority. The bill was introduced on August 21, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Government Operations; it originated from a House introduction and is currently in committee.

Purpose and Intent

Establish state-level authority over the presence and deployment of armed forces from outside Michigan.

Ensure that the Governor has explicit control over any outside (non-Michigan) armed forces entering the state for military duties.

Maintain a clear exemption for federal (U.S.) military forces operating under presidential authority.

Key Provisions

Title amendment: The bill amends the Michigan Military Act to clarify its scope regarding the deployment of armed military forces from other states, territories, or districts within Michigan, and to add a new section (Sec. 132).

Sec. 132(1): General prohibition. “Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2), an armed military force from another state, territory, or district shall not enter this state for the purpose of performing military duty in this state without the permission of the governor.”

Sec. 132(2): Federal exception. The prohibition in Sec. 132(1) does not apply to an armed military force that is in the service of the United States and acting under authority that is validly invoked by the President of the United States.

Who Would Be Affected

Armed forces from other states, territories, or districts seeking to operate within Michigan for military duty would generally require gubernatorial authorization prior to entry.

U.S. federal military forces would not be constrained by this provision when acting under presidential authority.

The bill does not alter Michigan’s own state forces (e.g., Michigan National Guard) directly, as those are not “armed military forces from another state.”

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Filed: March 13, 2025

Read first time: April 3, 2025

Referred to: Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs (initial referral)

August 21, 2025: Reintroduced by Rep. Laurie Pohutsky; read a first time; referred to Committee on Government Operations; bill electronically reproduced on the same date.

Current status: In committee (as of the latest action), with no final passage yet.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

Grants the Governor explicit authority to approve or deny entry of external armed forces for military purposes, potentially affecting interstate military collaboration, joint exercises, or emergency responses that involve personnel from other states.

The federal exemption preserves the role of the President and U.S. military as the primary authority for federal deployments.

Could raise questions about coordination with federal authorities during emergencies or joint operations; may require additional guidance or implementation rules if enacted.

Bill