Representative Frisbie presented House Bill 44 86 to the House Energy Committee, saying the bill would “prohibit local ordinance and policies from restricting the use of natural gas appliances” and render post-enactment local rules that do so “void and unenforceable.”

Frisbie framed the bill as protecting consumer choice and lowering costs, telling the committee he cited U.S. Department of Energy analysis that, in his summary, found natural gas homes had lower annual energy bills and lower emissions compared with certain electric alternatives. He said natural gas provided backup heat during outages and recounted a tornado near his neighborhood when his natural-gas generator operated while nearby homes lacked electricity.

Committee members pressed on the bill’s relationship to local control and infrastructure. Representative Dixie and Representative Myers Phillips questioned how the proposal balanced municipal authority with statewide policy; Frisbie replied the bill focuses on appliance choice and not on infrastructure siting, and he argued local ordinances that raise costs or eliminate existing consumer choices cross a line. Representative Rixey asked about the Ann Arbor ordinance under consideration; Frisbie said Ann Arbor had considered an ordinance applying to new construction.

Representative Rixey also asked whether the bill would preempt a farmland-preservation ordinance in Ingham County that restricts infrastructure; Frisbie responded the bill “has nothing to do with gas infrastructure,” noting the legislation concerns appliances and consumer choice, not the placement of infrastructure.

Representative Andrews raised concerns about whether local prohibitions on gas appliances could have indirect effects on infrastructure build-out and whether federal preemption issues exist; Frisbie deferred detailed infrastructure questions to gas providers and warned that removing customer demand could change business decisions by utilities.

Public testimony cards read into the record showed a range of positions. Supporters listed in the record included the Home Builders Association of Michigan, UWA (not spelled out in the card), Thumb Electric (on a separate bill), TC Energy and NFIB; organizations listed as opposing the bill on the cards included the Michigan Association of Counties, Michigan Township Association, Michigan Environmental Council, Sierra Club and Evergreen. All of those names appear on the hearing record as written testimony submitted but not spoken in committee.

No committee vote on House Bill 44 86 was recorded at the hearing.