Electric Transmission Rights-of-Way (HB5940)

Current understanding

HB5940 would amend Sec. 13 of 1925 PA 368 (MCL 247.183) and add a new Sec. 13a to permit electric utilities to deploy electronic transmission infrastructure within existing public rights-of-way. The change would let utilities reuse established corridors rather than acquire new easements, potentially lowering deployment costs and siting friction for grid-adjacent electronic equipment. Status: introduced.

Evidence log

• 2026-08-26 — Public utilities: electric utilities; electronic transmission infrastructure; allow to use existing rights-of-way. Amends sec. 13 of 1925 PA 368 (MCL 247.183) & adds sec. 13a.: cross-connection with electric-transmission-highway-row: Both pages track HB5940 (highway right-of-way use for electric transmission infrastructure) — appear to be duplicate topics that should be reconciled. (novelty: 3)
• 2026-06-03 — Public utilities: other; right of first refusal; extend to counties. Amends sec. 6q of 1939 PA 3 (MCL 460.6q).: cross-connection with utility-right-of-first-refusal-counties: Both bills address who controls electric transmission development in Michigan — HB6036 expands ROFR eligibility to counties while HB5940 governs transmission rights-of-way. (novelty: 2)

Open questions

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