Michigan Governor Signs 3 Executive Orders Late Thursday

MICHIGAN — Several executive orders were passed late on Thursday by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Whitmer extended a previously signed order that temporarily suspended evictions during the coronavirus pandemic. She also signed an order expanding telehealth options for Michiganders and another that provides relief from tax appeal deadlines.

Temporary Eviction Suspension

Whitmer's extension of the executive order suspending evictions allows residents falling on hard times due to the coronavirus to not be subjected to the loss of their home.

“It’s critical Michiganders can self-quarantine and continue staying safer at home without fear of being evicted,” Whitmer said. “This executive order gives renters and mobile home owners some peace of mind as we continue to flatten the curve.”

Executive Order 2020-85 ensures tenants and mobile home owners can remain in their homes during the coronavirus pandemic, even if they are unable to pay their rent. The order also relieves courts from certain statutory restrictions so they can stay eviction-related proceedings until after the coronavirus emergency has passed.

The order has been enforced as recently as April in southeast Michigan area, in which 80 people were prevented from being evicted from their apartments.

Expanded Telehealth Services

Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-86, which expands telehealth options for Michiganders by authorizing and encouraging health care providers to use these services when appropriate and after getting consent from patients. The order takes effect immediately and continues through June 10, 2020.

“Telehealth provides a way for patients to safely consult with their doctor and receive health care services while continuing to practice social distancing and limit potential exposure to COVID-19,” Whitmer said. “This Executive Order ensures Michiganders who need health care during this ongoing pandemic can still receive care while staying safer at home.”

Under Executive Order 2020-86, many health care services, such as mental health care, drug treatment and home health services may be provided via telehealth. Additionally, insurance carriers must cover virtual check-ins and e-visits, to facilitate the affordability of telehealth services.

Tax Appeal Deadlines

Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-87, which provides an extended opportunity for individuals to dispute the assessed value of their property, extends certain equalization filing and meeting deadlines for local and county officials, and extends the deadline for filing petitions to appeal assessment determinations as to commercial and industrial property.

“With county offices closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic it’s important to ensure business owners have an opportunity to appeal their property tax assessment and get questions answered, and for local and county officials to have more time to file reports,” Whitmer said. “This Executive Order extends several important deadlines ensuring we can continue to flatten the curve.”

Under Executive Order 2020-87, boards of review meeting in July will also meet to hear assessment protests for individuals who were not able to file protests in March. Additionally, the May 31 jurisdictional deadline to file a petition with the Michigan Tax Tribunal to challenge assessment determination to properties classified as commercial real property, industrial real property, developmental real property, commercial personal property, industrial personal property or utility personal property is extended to July 31.

The order, however, does not change or otherwise affect the July 31 jurisdictional deadline for assessment disputes of property classified as agricultural real property, residential real property, timber-cutover real property or agricultural personal property.