Probable Cause Conference in People v. Kazanis Medicaid fraud matter, 54B District Court, East Lansing.
Sunday, May 31, 2026 — Memorial weekend, Mackinac Policy Conference, and a federal docket aimed at Lansing
On May 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal complaint naming Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel, seeking to block Michigan’s climate-deception litigation framework and related retention of out-of-state special assistant attorneys general. The filing lands the same week the Sixth Circuit dismissed a federal challenge to Proposal 3, Whitmer signed $152 million in Selfridge runway funding on Mackinac Island, and the EPA proposed rolling back four federal PFAS drinking-water limits — leaving Michigan’s own maximum contaminant levels as the ceiling in many communities.
U.S. Department of Justice — Federal court, May 30, 2026
Capitol reporting describes a Justice Department action arguing that Michigan statutes authorizing climate-deception suits against oil and gas companies, and the Attorney General’s contracts with out-of-state firms on contingency fees, intrude on federal energy policy and interstate commerce. The complaint reportedly asks a federal court to declare the state framework unconstitutional and award fees to the United States.
Nessel’s office has retained special assistant attorneys general from firms including Sher Edling, DiCello Levitt, and Hausfeld under agreements running through September 30, 2027, with compensation tied to settlements. Press materials indicate the underlying climate suit remains in development after public announcement in May 2024.
Practice note: Municipal counsel monitoring parallel state AG climate dockets should calendar preemption briefing alongside any EGLE enforcement docket in the same client sector.Michigan Capitol Confidential — DOJ climate litigation suit →
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit — May 27, 2026
Right to Life of Michigan and allied plaintiffs sued Whitmer, Nessel, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in 2023, arguing Michigan’s voter-approved reproductive-rights amendment conflicts with the U.S. Constitution. The district court dismissed for failure to link concrete harm to those officials; the Sixth Circuit agreed without reaching the merits.
President Amber Roseboom said the opinion rested on standing alone and left the constitutional challenge unresolved — leaving open a possible U.S. Supreme Court petition.
Nessel called the suit procedurally flawed and politically motivated, noting 56% voter approval of Proposal 3 in November 2022 under Reproductive Freedom for All.
Governor’s Office — Mackinac Policy Conference, May 27, 2026
At the Mackinac Policy Conference, Whitmer signed House Bill 4572, sponsored by Rep. Ron Robinson (R-Utica) and advanced by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), committing state dollars to runway upgrades at Selfridge Air National Guard Base to secure the pending F-15EX Eagle II mission. Reporting pairs the state appropriation with roughly $792 million in federal commitment.
State share signed May 27, 2026, with stakeholders gathered on Mackinac Island during the Detroit Regional Chamber conference.
Enrolled appropriation for Selfridge infrastructure as summarized in regional reporting.
Approximately $792M federal funding described alongside the state signature event.
EPA & EGLE — Safe Drinking Water Act, May 2026
On May 20, 2026, the EPA published proposed rules that would rescind 2024 maximum contaminant levels for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and mixture hazard-index standards, while offering optional two-year compliance extensions for PFOA and PFOS limits that remain at 4 ppt. Michigan’s delegated enforcement authority means state limits must track federal floors — but where federal limits disappear, Michigan’s own rules govern.
| Compound | Rescinded federal (2024) | Michigan MCL | Post-rollback posture |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFHxS | 10 ppt | 51 ppt | Michigan standard looser than rescinded federal |
| GenX | 10 ppt | 370 ppt | Widest reported gap for consumers on private wells |
| PFNA | 10 ppt | 6 ppt | State remains stricter on this compound |
| PFOA | 4 ppt | 8 ppt | Federal limit still binds; Michigan at 8 ppt |
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and the bipartisan congressional PFAS task force urged the EPA not to weaken protections in a May 13 letter. Public comment on the proposals runs through July 20, 2026, with a virtual hearing July 7.
Planet Detroit — EPA PFAS rollback and Michigan water → Pillsbury — EPA proposed PFAS amendments → EGLE — PFAS response →Executive Order 2026-12 — May 28, 2026
Whitmer’s order creates an advisory Every Child Reads Champions Council within MiLEAP, rescinds Executive Order 2016-18, and tasks MiLEAP with annual implementation updates due each October 1 beginning in 2027, plus a public dashboard refresh each January with disaggregated district data.
Executive Directive 2026-3 — May 13, 2026
The directive requires executive departments to align job prerequisites with actual competencies, develop skills-based hiring training through LEO in consultation with the Michigan Civil Service Commission, and assist private employers in adopting similar practices — contingent on adequate appropriations for training modules.
Must weigh full competency sets rather than degree proxies where skills suffice.
Develops employer-facing resources and a workforce strategy for retention.
Contingent funding for credential pathways for existing state employees.
Executive Order 2026-11 — Emergency Management Act
Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Oakland County on May 10, 2026 under 1976 PA 390, activating recovery programs until threats subside but no later than June 7, 2026, unless extended by statute.
EO 2026-11 filed; emergency declared for Oakland County storm impacts.
Automatic termination date unless extended under MCL 30.403(4).
Mackinac Policy Conference — Public Acts 181 & 207 of 2024
Conference panels featured industry leaders praising Michigan’s enterprise data-center sales and use tax exemptions — requiring up to $250 million capital investment, job creation, green-building certification, and 90% clean-energy procurement — while conservation advocates pressed for ratepayer protections, local revenue guarantees, and siting transparency.
Google policy leaders and chamber officials described PA 181 and PA 207 as groundwork to attract hyperscale investment without residential rate subsidies.
Michigan League of Conservation Voters urged mandatory grid-capacity planning, community-benefit agreements, and local zoning moratoriums while rules catch up — citing Saline Township and Mason disputes.
Michigan Attorney General — Health Care Fraud Division, May 28, 2026
Demetra C. Kazanis, DDS, arraigned before 54B District Judge Molly E. Hennessey Greenwalt, faces one count of conducting a criminal enterprise and 42 Medicaid fraud counts tied to alleged upcoding at New You Dental in Livonia — billing invasive fillings where preventive resin restorations were performed, per the department release.
Multistate Antitrust — U.S. District Court, N.D. California, May 2026
Nessel joined 53 attorneys general in a 2021 suit over Android app distribution. The court indicated it will approve a $700 million settlement requiring Google to permit alternate billing and external app stores for at least five to seven years, with automatic PayPal or Venmo payments to consumers who purchased on Google Play between August 2016 and September 2023.
Automatic restitution for qualifying Play Store purchases without a claim form in most cases.
Alternate payment systems and off-store listing rights for five years.
Sideloading permitted for seven years under settlement terms summarized by the AG.
Department of Treasury — Revenue Administrative Bulletin 2026-3
Effective January 1, 2026, the Cannabis Regulation and Taxation Fund Act imposes a 24% excise on wholesale adult-use transfers under MCL 205.905, atop the existing 10% retail excise and 6% sales tax. Federal Schedule III reclassification of certain FDA-approved cannabis products effective April 28, 2026 does not alter Michigan CRA enforcement, though the Board of Pharmacy has 91 days to consider state scheduling alignment.
Clean Slate — Criminal procedure, April–May 2026
State data reported by Bridge Michigan shows 1,578,501 convictions automatically set aside since the program launched April 11, 2023. Advocates marked five years since enactment with a Clean Slate 2.0
agenda while Senate Bill 78 — passed the Senate 23–11 on May 20, 2025 — remains in the House Judiciary committee, proposing expanded juvenile pathways and a $150 application fee structure.
Convictions automatically expunged per Michigan State Police figures summarized in May 2026 reporting — misdemeanors after seven years, eligible felonies after ten, with statutory caps per person.
Amends MCL 780.621b et seq.; Senate passed May 20, 2025; House Judiciary referral.
Daily MSP checks for newly eligible convictions under 2020 Clean Slate Act.
Practitioners verify client records via public criminal history after expungement.
Coming Up
Probable Cause Conference in People v. Kazanis Medicaid fraud matter, 54B District Court, East Lansing.
Termination date for EO 2026-11 Oakland County emergency unless extended under the Emergency Management Act.
EGLE virtual meeting on the Line 5 tunnel draft NPDES permit at 6:00 p.m. — follow-up to the reopened comment period from prior editions.
Administrative comment deadline for Line 5 tunnel wastewater discharge permit.
EO 2026-4 state energy emergency and summer RVP suspension under MCL 290.650d expire unless extended by the Legislature.
EPA virtual public hearing on proposed PFAS drinking-water rule amendments.
Federal Register comment period closes on EPA PFAS rescission and compliance-extension proposals.