This bill modifies Michigan's vehicle code to update rules for speed limits and enforcement in school zones. It clarifies definitions for school zones and adjusts the timing of when lower speed limits must be enforced, expanding the window before and after school sessions to 60 minutes instead of 30. The legislation also allows school superintendents to set additional enforcement periods for times like off-campus lunch and field trips, while maintaining a minimum speed limit of 25 mph in these zones. Additionally, it permits the use of digital signs and flashing lights to display school zone speed limits and requires specific signage for year-round schools.
This bill establishes funding for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support construction, renovation, demolition, and equipment projects for state buildings and facilities. It directly affects state agencies, institutions of higher education, community colleges, and the state building authority by authorizing capital outlay expenditures. The legislation creates an appropriation act to provide the necessary financial resources for these infrastructure projects during the specified fiscal year.
This bill requires Michigan school districts to appoint independent decision makers to conduct disciplinary hearings for students facing suspension of more than 10 days, expulsion, or alternative placement for more than 10 days. These independent decision makers must remain neutral by not investigating the incident, providing testimony, or presenting evidence, and they must apply a preponderance of the evidence standard when making decisions. The bill also grants students the right to be represented by an attorney or advocate at these hearings and mandates that schools provide written reports explaining the findings and appeal rights to students and their parents. Additionally, the legislation ensures that students with Individualized Education Programs are invited to meet with their IEP team before any disciplinary decision is implemented.
This bill modifies Michigan's school disciplinary procedures to require school officials to consider specific student factors before suspending or expelling a pupil, including age, disciplinary history, disability status, trauma experiences, and housing stability. For suspensions lasting more than 10 days or expulsions, the bill creates a rebuttable presumption that such actions are unjustified unless the school board demonstrates it evaluated all required factors and held a hearing within 10 school days. The legislation mandates that schools provide detailed written notice to students and parents before hearings, including evidence summaries, and ensures continued access to educational services during removal periods. These changes apply to suspensions and expulsions under various school code sections but exclude cases involving firearm possession in weapon-free zones.
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.
This bill urges Michigan's public universities and community colleges to create a consistent statewide policy for awarding college credit to students who complete International Baccalaureate coursework. It recommends that institutions grant credit for IB exam scores of four or higher, which can count toward elective degree requirements, while allowing schools to set higher standards for major-specific courses. The resolution aims to reduce uncertainty for students, improve college affordability, and help retain Michigan's IB graduates by providing clear, publicly available credit policies. Copies of the bill will be sent to state university leaders and higher education associations for their consideration.
This bill modifies Michigan's school discipline laws to strengthen consequences for physical assaults between students in grades 6 and above. It requires school boards to suspend or expel students who commit physical violence at school for up to 180 days, while also making it the responsibility of expelled students and their families to find alternative education programs. The legislation adds new reporting requirements that mandate school districts to annually submit detailed data on expulsions, including student demographics such as race, ethnicity, disability status, and economic disadvantage. Additionally, the bill requires schools to post crime statistics on their websites and collect weekly incident data to help identify safety issues and allocate resources appropriately. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for handling student violence and improve transparency in school safety reporting.
This bill requires K-5 teachers and literacy support staff in Michigan to complete specific professional training focused on reading and literacy instruction by the 2029-2030 school year. The legislation designates a single state-approved provider to deliver the training, which must cover evidence-based reading methods, assessment strategies, and a multitiered system of supports for addressing learning difficulties. School districts must report annual compliance data to the state department, which will publish public reports on implementation progress and recommend funding adjustments as needed. The training includes mandatory components on phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and data-driven decision-making, with phased implementation beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
This bill creates a new tax credit for Michigan residents with qualified dependents starting in the 2026 tax year. The credit equals 50% of the state school aid target foundation allowance for each dependent who is between 5 and 18 years old, not enrolled in public school, and has demonstrated proficiency in reading and math. If the credit amount is larger than the taxpayer's tax liability, the excess will be refunded to the taxpayer. The Department of Treasury may require proof that a dependent meets the eligibility requirements.
HB 5631 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates specific funding amounts for Michigan public schools during fiscal years 2025-2026. It authorizes $17.9 billion from the state school aid fund and other designated funds (like the school transportation fund, enrollment stabilization fund, and educator fellowship fund) for the 2025-2026 school year, with slightly adjusted amounts for 2026-2027. The bill establishes a monthly payment schedule (October through August) for distributing these funds to school districts and intermediate districts, requiring the state treasurer to make payments via electronic transfer or warrant on specified dates. It also includes provisions for adjusting payments due to errors or changes in law and specifies that unspent general fund allocations will transfer to the school aid stabilization fund. This bill directly affects all public school districts and intermediate districts in Michigan by determining their state education funding allocation and payment timeline.
