LANSING, Mich., May 21, 2026 — State Reps. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) and Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar) introduced a bipartisan package of bills today to strike a balance between short-term rentals (STRs) and the communities they operate in.

“Short-term rentals offer exciting opportunities for property owners, contribute to our tourism industry and offer visitors a place to stay in our state,” Andrews said. “But proper regulations are necessary in this area to balance the benefits with the need for local housing availability and to ensure these rentals aren’t a strain on local infrastructure.”

House Bill 6026 would establish the Short-Term Rental Act and include provisions for the creation of a registry, database and a six percent excise tax that would be evenly split between the municipality where an STR is located and Pure Michigan.

“Creating a registry and database will make it much easier to monitor short-term rental activity in local communities and support local enforcement efforts,” Andrews added. “The excise tax will also allow municipalities to reinvest in their communities how they see fit, whether that be housing, infrastructure, or enforcement.”

Additionally, House Bill 6027 would allow local governments to enact and enforce regulations on STRs as long as those measures do not have the effect of a total ban or prohibition.

“These plans are about striking the right balance between protecting Michigan communities and the people who call them home and modern methods of travel and lodging that help people in our state earn a little extra income,” Bierlein said. “The reality is our beautiful state has a ton to offer as a tourist destination, and when people travel to Michigan they need places to stay. There is a supply and demand nature to that. We also want to make sure Michigan families aren’t priced out of housing. We can support economic opportunity while keeping our communities viable and affordable for future generations with this framework.”

“Michigan’s restaurant and hotel owners and operators are glad to see this legislation come together with the support from the broader tourism industry,” said Jack Trebtoske, director of government affairs at the Michigan Restaurants & Lodging Association. “For too long, short-term rental owners and booking platforms have benefitted from the community services and tourism marketing programs without paying the taxes that fund them. This legislation will improve customer and community safety while creating a level playing field with Michigan’s hotel industry. In contrast, the package Airbnb is supporting, House Bills 5138-5140, simply impose a new tax on traditional lodging while continuing to tax short-term rentals at a lower rate and do nothing to address concerns over safety.”

“Tourism is a vital economic engine for Michigan,” said Julie Pingston, president of the Michigan Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus. “To keep driving visitors to every corner of our state, we must establish a stable, long-term framework for the industry. We applaud Representatives Andrews and Bierlein for introducing balanced, forward-thinking legislation that secures permanent funding for Pure Michigan and creates a level playing field for all lodging properties.”

“The American Hotel & Lodging Association supports House Bills 6026-27, which will establish consistent, statewide standards for short-term rentals in Michigan,” said Marilou Halvorsen, senior vice president of state and local government affairs and industry relations at the American Hotel & Lodging Association. “By requiring registration, safety and accountability standards, and fair tax treatment, this proposal ensures all lodging providers help pay for the services and tourism promotion that support local communities while creating a more level playing field.” 

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