Policy Priorities

MICHauto represents the needs of industry stakeholders to local, state, and federal governments. It works to inform policies that support growth and maintain Michigan’s leadership in automotive and mobility innovation.

In addition to providing investors exclusive access to government leaders to discuss priorities and opportunities to collaborate, MICHauto advocates for the industry.

In recent years, MICHauto has played an integral role in passing legislation like:

Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act
Inflation Reduction Act
Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Act

MICHauto’s 2023 Policy Priorities:

Enhancing Education and Workforce Opportunity

To create the strongest and most dynamic workforce possible, MICHauto will advocate for expanded funding for K-12, community colleges, and higher education institutions throughout the state. Additionally, MICHauto will urge the state to enact legislation to increase the number of school counselors in Michigan public schools, increase funding to the Going PRO talent fund, continued funding of Michigan Reconnect, and expand the pathways to careers in automotive, mobility, and high-tech fields for all Michigan students.

Growing Michigan’s Vibrant Mobility Ecosystem

MICHauto will continue to champion a regulatory and tax climate that incentivizes mobility innovators and venture capital investment to come to Michigan. This includes advocating that the legislature passes R&D tax credit legislation in 2023 and supporting continued funding for the SOAR Fund and other economic development tools to maintain Michigan’s competitiveness.

Rebuilding the Domestic Supply Chain

MICHauto will continue to support legislation that will help the industry recover from ongoing supply chain disruptions as the industry continues to transition to an EV-dominated market. In light of the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act and to secure the industry’s access to raw materials to build batteries, MICHauto will press federal lawmakers to enact permitting reforms to increase the number of domestic mining projects able to operate and federal agencies to take other actions to bolster the domestic supply chain in Michigan.

Strengthening Transportation Infrastructure and Safety

MICHauto will support the passage of legislation to make Michigan roadways safer and more sustainable. This includes new state and federal investments for built infrastructure, digital infrastructure, EV charging infrastructure, hydrogen mobility technology, and connected and automated corridors as well as ways to maintain infrastructure via gas tax revenue replacement legislation. Additionally, MICHauto will support legislation to spur adoption of electric school buses in school districts across Michigan and the passage of distracted driving legislation.

Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

MICHauto will continue to strongly advocate for the diversity, equity, and inclusion in the automotive and mobility industry, from the shopfloor to the C-suite. Specifically, MICHauto will support reforms to the state’s criminal justice laws to make it easier for returning citizens to find and build productive careers, advocate for greater venture capital investment in minority- and women-led startups, and for equitable investment of state funds.