NEWS
Michigan Cinema United's lobbyist, Karoub Associates, monitors all relevant legislation, keeps members apprised of happenings, and issues calls to action when advocacy is needed. Bookmark and come back to this page often to stay up-to-date on vital information.
WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 5, 2026
Three pieces of legislation being closely watched by stakeholders remain pending in committee with no hearings currently scheduled.
Senate Bill 764, the Open Caption Accessibility Act, remains before the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs. The legislation would require certain movie theaters to offer regularly scheduled open-captioned screenings to improve accessibility for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The bill has garnered support from disability advocates and members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, while some theater operators have raised concerns about operational requirements and implementation costs.
Meanwhile, House Bills 5991 and 5992, which would restore Michigan's film production tax incentive program, remain in the House Committee on Government Operations. Supporters—including film industry organizations, production companies, labor unions, and local economic development advocates—argue the legislation would attract new investment, create jobs, and increase film production in Michigan. Opponents, including fiscal conservatives and free-market policy organizations, question the return on investment of targeted tax credits and have expressed concerns about the potential cost to taxpayers. Both bills are tie-barred, meaning each must pass for the incentive program to be reinstated.
At this time, none of the three bills has been scheduled for a committee hearing. The next significant milestone will be placement on their respective committee agendas, where lawmakers can begin taking testimony and considering further action.
MONDAY
AUGUST 3, 2026
WELCOME THE HISTORIC VOGUE THEATRE TO MICHIGAN CINEMA UNITED
Michigan Cinema United is pleased to welcome the Historic Vogue Theatre in Manistee as our newest member.
Originally opened in 1938, the Art Deco-style Vogue Theatre was built by the Butterfield Theatre Company and quickly became a centerpiece of downtown Manistee. After closing in the mid-2000s, the theater was lovingly restored through a community-led preservation effort and reopened in 2013 as a nonprofit venue. Today, the Vogue continues to entertain audiences with first-run films, special events, and community programming while preserving an important piece of Michigan's cinema history.
Please join us in welcoming the Historic Vogue Theatre to the Michigan Cinema United family!
