This bill requires Michigan school districts and public academies receiving specific weighted funding to use those funds for student achievement, including literacy, math, and direct English language development instruction. To qualify for this aid, districts must administer standardized English proficiency tests, implement a data-driven multi-tiered support system for all grades, and report detailed information to parents and the state department about how the money is spent. The legislation also mandates that districts allow state audits of their records and permits up to 2% of the funds to cover administrative costs related to compliance. Importantly, the bill will only take effect if a companion bill establishing the specific funding formula is also passed into law.
This bill appropriates state funding for K-12 public schools, community colleges, and higher education institutions for the 2025-2027 fiscal years. It allocates specific dollar amounts from various state funds to support public school operations, including general funds, transportation, meals, and student support reserves, while also distributing $493 million to community colleges for operational expenses. The legislation establishes spending priorities that require general fund allocations to be used before state school aid funds, and directs any unspent general fund money to a stabilization fund at the end of each fiscal year.
SB 350 would allow Michigan public school students to opt out of the workforce readiness assessment portion of the Michigan Merit Examination. Currently required for high school graduation, this section tests job skills and career readiness; the bill would give students the choice to skip it without academic penalty. The change directly affects students in Michigan public schools who take the exam, which is mandatory for graduation. The bill amends state law (MCL 388.1704b) to create this opt-out option, focusing on student choice in a specific assessment component.
SB 541 creates the Michigan National Guard member benefit fund in the state treasury to support existing benefit programs for National Guard members. The fund receives deposits from any source, earns interest through state treasurer investments, and retains all money year-to-year without lapsing to the general fund. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the fund and can only use its money to implement the Michigan National Guard tuition assistance program (2014 PA 259) and the Michigan National Guard child care assistance act. This bill directly affects Michigan National Guard members by ensuring dedicated funding for their tuition and child care benefits through these established programs.
SB 163 is a funding bill that allocates $2.4 billion from Michigan's state general fund for capital outlay projects during fiscal year 2025-2026. It directly provides state funding for construction, renovation, or equipment projects at state-owned properties, public universities (like Michigan State and the University of Michigan), and community colleges (including Lansing Community College and Washtenaw Community College). The bill specifies state shares for 12 projects, such as $22.1 million for Ferris State's Allied Health Building and $9.6 million for Washtenaw Community College's Center for Success. This is a procedural appropriations bill that authorizes spending but does not create new policy or alter existing laws.
SB 165 is a funding bill that allocates $166.4 million in state general funds for Michigan's Department of Education during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides specific appropriations for key programs including special education services ($9.8 million), Michigan Schools for the Deaf and Blind ($19.4 million), and departmental operations like information technology ($4.9 million). The bill directs state funds to cover salaries, program operations, and essential services across education departments, with additional support from federal and private revenue sources. It directly affects state education programs and administrative functions, ensuring funding continuity for existing services without creating new policies.
SB 164 is a procedural appropriations bill that allocates funding for Michigan's fictional "Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential" for fiscal year 2025-2026. It provides a total of $756.2 million, including $670.8 million for early childhood education programs (like child care licensing and Head Start), $11.8 million for higher education initiatives (including student financial aid), and $60 million for one-time programs like college support services. The funding comes primarily from the state general fund, with additional support from federal and private sources. This bill does not create new policies or affect specific individuals - it simply authorizes how existing state funds will be spent on these education-related services.
SB 167 allocates approximately $2.41 billion in state funds to Michigan's public universities for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill specifies exact funding amounts for each institution, including base operations, operational increases, and costs related to the North American Indian tuition waiver program. It details funding sources, with the majority coming from the state general fund. This appropriation directly affects all public universities in Michigan by setting their state funding levels for the upcoming year.
SB 168 allocates state funding for Michigan's 29 community colleges for fiscal year 2025-2026 under the State School Aid Act. It provides a total of $506,504,600, broken down into specific amounts for each college's operations, performance-based funding, and costs related to the North American Indian tuition waiver program. The bill directly affects all Michigan community colleges by determining their state budget allocations for the upcoming fiscal year. This is a funding bill with no new policy provisions beyond budgetary adjustments.
SB 234 requires Michigan public school districts and public school academies to create and implement policies limiting student cell phone use during school hours starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The policy must restrict phones during instructional time, breaks, lunch, and recess, while requiring exceptions for emergencies, medical devices, and students with disabilities (as required by law). Schools must detail enforcement methods and post the policy on their websites. This directly affects all Michigan K-12 public schools and their governing boards. The bill does not ban phones outright but mandates structured policies to reduce classroom distractions.
