LANSING — Legislation aimed at clarifying the Michigan-Indiana border is one step closer to becoming law.
A bill introduced by State Senator Jonathan Lindsey of Coldwater received final approval this week from the Michigan House of Representatives. The measure would extend the timeline to complete a long-delayed survey of the Michigan-Indiana state line.
The border was last formally surveyed before Michigan achieved statehood, and unclear boundaries have contributed to legal disputes, property issues, environmental responsibility questions and traffic enforcement challenges.
Lawmakers previously approved funding in 2022 for a joint effort between Michigan and Indiana. However, the project stalled after the state was unable to secure a surveying company for the full job.
Senate Bill 595 would amend that law by allowing individual counties to conduct portions of the survey, a change supporters say removes a major obstacle to completion.
The bill passed both chambers with unanimous, bipartisan support. Because the House added an amendment, the legislation now returns to the Senate for a concurrence vote before being sent to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for possible signature.