Michigan House Bill Would Block Local Streaming Taxes
Lawmakers seek to prevent localities from treating Netflix and Hulu like cable providers.
WASHINGTON, June 18, 2026 — The Michigan House passed a bipartisan bill on Monday aiming to block localities from taxing streaming services as cable companies.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, would amend the definition of video service to exclude streaming services, preventing streaming providers from incurring the fees charged by cities to cable companies for accessing rights of way.
The Michigan bill, which needs Senate approval, is a preventative measure. No Michigan locality has passed a tax on streaming as of November 2023, when the bill was first introduced.
“Allowing these taxes would essentially allow local governments to impose a nearly direct tax increase on a community that did not vote for it,” Harris said. Harris chairs the House Insurance Committee and is vice chair of the House Government Operations Committee.
The bill is controversial with some cities harmed by the loss of revenue from cable franchise fees. “[Harris’s bill] is nothing short of corporate welfare for wealthy streaming and satellite providers,” Mayor Lori M. Stone, D-Warren, said.
As cable TV revenues continue to shrink, some municipalities such as Chicago, Illinois and Reno, Nevada have imposed taxes on streaming services, which Harris said would be passed on to consumers.
The bill passed 75-31 in the GOP-controlled House, with 21 Democrats in support and five Republicans against.
