I've been hearing from many of you lately, asking what's going on with Michigan's additional pathway to CPA licensure.
First and foremost- thank you to the many members, accounting students, educators, firms, employers and advocates who have connected with, or reached out to, our team. Your emails, phone calls and personal stories continue to make a difference. We know the uncertainty surrounding this legislation is affecting career decisions, recruiting, enrollment and workforce planning. Please know your voices are being heard, and we are referencing them every day in our conversations with lawmakers.
Where Things Stand
House Bill 4893 remains before the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee and is still awaiting a hearing.
The Michigan House and Senate adjourned on July 16 and are in recess until July 29, so we do not expect any movement on this legislation over the next week. Once lawmakers return, their focus will quickly shift to the Aug. 4 primary election, with many spending significant time campaigning and meeting with constituents. As a result, meaningful action on this legislation is more likely later this fall, when the legislature resumes its regular schedule. While we'd certainly like the process to move faster, this pause simply reflects the legislative calendar.
There is, however, positive news.
On Wednesday, July 15, Senator Dayna Polehanki (District 5) introduced Senate Bill 1113. The bill is substantively the same as House Bill 4893 and gives lawmakers another opportunity to advance this important policy. SB 1113 has been referred to the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee, where both Polehanki and the bill’s co-sponsor, Senator Jeremy Moss, serve. Their membership on the committee positions them to help advocate for the bill as it moves through the process.
Whether the legislature moves House Bill 4893 or Senate Bill 1113 forward, our objective remains the same: creating an additional pathway to CPA licensure in Michigan.
We're Not Slowing Down
While the legislature is on recess, MICPA is not.
Our advocacy and efforts to raise public awareness continue every day. We remain engaged with legislators and stakeholders on both sides of the aisle, and we'll continue pushing until one of these bills reaches the governor's desk.
This summer also presents an opportunity for you to help. As legislators spend more time in their districts attending community events, town halls and campaign activities, I encourage you to introduce yourself and share why you support advancing House Bill 4893 and Senate Bill 1113. Hearing directly from CPAs, accounting students, educators and employers about the importance of creating an additional pathway to licensure reinforces why this issue matters to Michigan's workforce and economy. Those conversations can have a real impact when lawmakers return to Lansing this fall.
Thank you again for sharing your stories and standing with us. Your engagement is helping to shape the future of the profession in Michigan, and I'm confident that together we'll get this done.
All the best,
Bob Doyle
President & CEO
Michigan Association of CPAs