Current Legislative Issues & Resources

ISSUE 1 — Aligning Veteran Recognition for NOAA & USPHS Officers
(HB 5262 • HB 5278 • HB 5279 • HB 5280)

United States Code, Title 38 recognizes commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as veterans — but Michigan law does not, creating gaps in recognition and benefits for these officers and their families.
Four House Bills were introduced and referred to the House Committee on Government Operations in November 2025:

  • HB 5262 — A bill to amend Act 190 of 1965, Uniformity of Service Dates, to include commissioned officers of NOAA and USPHS as a class of veterans as defined in Title 38
  • HB 5278 — A bill to amend Act 222 of 1972, State Personal Identification Card Act, to add veteran designation for NOAA and USPHS officers
  • HB 5279 — A bill to amend Act 300 of 1949, Michigan Vehicle Code, to add veteran designation for NOAA and USPHS officers
  • HB 5280 ★ — A bill to amend Act 281 of 1967, Income Tax Act of 1967, to enact retirement pay equity for NOAA and USPHS officers — our primary target

OUR FOCUS — HB 5280
While there is some opposition to the bills that rely on redefining the word "veteran," there is little to no opposition to HB 5280, which achieves retirement pay equity without requiring that redefinition. Our advocacy efforts are therefore concentrated on securing passage of HB 5280.
Supporting resources:

ISSUE 2 — Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Pilot Program for Michigan Veterans
(HB 5456 • HB 5457)

These companion bills passed the Michigan House of Representatives in June 2026 and are now before the Senate Committee on Health Policy. Together they would establish a hyperbaric oxygen treatment pilot program for Michigan veterans and military service members — a therapy that has shown promising results in treating traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.

  • HB 5456 — Establishes a hyperbaric oxygen treatment pilot program (Creates new act; tie-barred with HB 5457)
  • HB 5457 — Establishes the hyperbaric oxygen therapy pilot program framework (Companion bill; tie-barred with HB 5456)

Both bills must pass together. Our ask: contact members of the Senate Committee on Health Policy and urge them to advance HB 5456 and HB 5457 to the Senate floor.

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