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Bill

HB 5172

Water supply: systems and utilities; reporting requirements for certain utilities; provide for. Creates new act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Noah Arbit and 13 co-sponsors

Michigan bill establishes new reporting requirements for water utilities to state regulators, expanding oversight of water supply systems and operational transparency.

bill electronically reproduced 10/30/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 5172

Legislative bill overview

HB 5172 establishes new reporting requirements for certain water supply systems and utilities in Michigan. The bill creates a new statutory framework governing how water utilities must report operational, financial, or compliance-related information to state authorities. This represents an expansion of state oversight mechanisms for the water utility sector.

Why is this important

Water utilities are critical infrastructure serving public health and safety. Enhanced reporting requirements can improve transparency, enable better regulatory oversight, and help identify problems—but they also impose administrative costs on utilities that may eventually be passed to consumers. Clear reporting standards help ensure utilities maintain adequate service levels and financial stability.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance costs: New reporting mandates may burden smaller utilities or rural water systems with increased administrative expenses, potentially raising consumer rates
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language "certain utilities" is vague—stakeholders will likely dispute which systems should be covered and what specific data must be reported
  • Regulatory burden vs. oversight value: Balancing whether the information benefits public accountability outweighs the operational burden placed on water providers

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

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