Education (Higher Education)

passed both · Michigan · House May 13, 2025

HB 4239: Higher education: other; foreign influence of state institutions of higher education; prohibit. Creates new act.

HB 4239, the "foreign influence of state institutions of higher education act," prohibits Michigan public colleges and universities from entering agreements or accepting grants from specific "foreign countries of concern" (including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria) if those arrangements control curriculum, threaten U.S. security, or restrict contracting freedom. It requires all gifts from foreign sources to be formalized through written agreements and mandates reporting of certain gifts to state officials. The law also bars accepting items of value conditioned on promoting a foreign country's language or culture and requires cultural exchange agreements with listed countries to be reviewed by U.S. federal agencies for national security risks. These provisions directly affect all 15 Michigan public universities and community colleges.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits foreign influence on higher education curriculum, protecting academic integrity and security, thus supporting education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Jun 17, 2025

SB 425: Higher education: community colleges; remission of new jobs credit from withholding to community college districts; clarify application to professional employer organizations. Amends secs. 161 & 163 of 1966 PA 331 (MCL 389.161 & 389.163). TIE BAR WITH: SB 426'25

SB 425 redirects payroll withholdings from employers toward community college job training programs. It clarifies that professional employer organizations (PEOs) can participate in the program, requiring employers to pay new job withholdings directly to community colleges (instead of the state) to fund training. The bill defines a "new job" as one paying at least the local living wage standard (ALICE rate), not replacing existing roles, and creating net new employment. This affects employers (including PEOs), community colleges, and workers in qualifying new positions, with funds used for training programs and bond financing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects payroll withholdings to fund community college job training programs, directly allocating existing tax revenue to public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects employer payroll withholdings to fund community college job training programs, increasing direct funding for higher education workforce development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRedirects payroll withholdings to community college job training programs, requires new jobs pay ALICE living wage, and defines 'new job' to create net employment opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Minimum Wage Workforce Development

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failed · Michigan · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 56: School aid: supplemental; school aid supplemental; provide for. Amends secs. 11 & 236 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 & 388.1836) & adds sec. 201i.

SB 56 adds specific funding allocations to Michigan's School Aid Act for fiscal years 2024-2025. It appropriates $100 from the state school aid fund for public schools, $3.3 million from coronavirus recovery funds for community college academic catch-up programs (for fiscal year 2023-2024 only), and $100 from the general fund for higher education purposes. These provisions directly affect public schools, community colleges, and higher education institutions by providing targeted funding for educational programs. The bill also updates constitutional spending estimates for school aid and higher education funding totals for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100 from state school aid fund and $3.3M from recovery funds for education, directly increasing budget allocations to public schools and colleges.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $100 for public schools, $3.3M for community college programs, and $100 for higher education, directly increasing funding for educational institutions per bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Funding Student Financial Aid

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 167: Appropriations: higher education; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Amends secs. 236 & 241 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1836 & 388.1841).

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.41B state funds to public universities for 2025-2026, directly increasing higher education appropriations from state general fund.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $2.41B in state funds to Michigan public universities for 2025-26, specifying institutional funding levels and operational increases, directly advancing higher education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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passed · Michigan · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 168: Appropriations: community colleges; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Amends secs. 201 & 206 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1801 & 388.1806).

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $506M for community college operations and performance-based funding under State School Aid Act, directly supporting public education budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $506M in state funding for Michigan community colleges' operations and programs under State School Aid Act, directly supporting higher education infrastructure and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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in committee · Michigan · House Jul 24, 2025

HR 144: A resolution to urge the United States Congress to ensure continued funding for the Federal TRIO programs.

This resolution urges Congress to maintain funding for the Federal TRIO programs, which support low-income, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities. It highlights that TRIO provides academic tutoring, counseling, financial guidance, and other assistance through eight specific programs (like Upward Bound for high school students and the McNair Program for doctoral preparation). The resolution responds to a proposed budget cut that would eliminate all TRIO funding, potentially affecting over 880,000 participants annually, including 6,000 veterans. The measure has been introduced and referred to committee but does not create new law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUrges continued funding for TRIO programs, opposing proposed defunding of essential student support services that provide academic and financial assistance.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges continued funding for TRIO programs that support low-income, first-gen students and disabilities, directly advancing educational access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Michigan · House Jan 30, 2025

HB 4036: Higher education: education programs; authorization and distance education reciprocal exchange act; remove sunset. Repeals sec. 7 of 2015 PA 45 (MCL 390.1697).

HB 4036 removes an expiration date (sunset provision) from Michigan's distance education reciprocal exchange program, which allows colleges and universities to share courses across state lines. The bill repeals Section 7 of the 2015 Higher Education Authorization and Distance Education Reciprocal Exchange Act (MCL 390.1697), making the program permanent. This directly affects Michigan colleges and out-of-state institutions participating in the reciprocal course-sharing agreement, ensuring the program continues without needing annual renewal.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves sunset provision for interstate distance education program, ensuring permanent course-sharing access across states, strengthening higher education collaboration and student access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 11, 2025

HB 4849: Civil rights: speech and assembly; student free press act for public high schools and public community colleges and universities; create. Creates new act.

HB 4849, the "Student Free Press Act," protects student journalists in Michigan public high schools and state colleges/universities by treating school-sponsored media as a public forum for expression. It prohibits schools from censoring student journalism unless a regulation is strictly necessary to serve an important government interest and doesn’t target specific viewpoints. The bill also shields schools and advisors from liability for student publications and prevents retaliation against advisors who uphold these rights. It further guarantees students’ broader free speech rights on campus, including distributing materials and organizing demonstrations, while allowing limited, content-neutral time/place/manner restrictions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student journalism in public schools/universities, enhancing academic freedom and expression per bill's prohibition of censorship and retaliation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 4580: Appropriations: higher education; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Amend secs. 236 & 241 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1836 & 388.1841).

HB 4580 allocates funding for Michigan's public universities during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It amends specific sections of Michigan law (MCL 388.1836 and 388.1841) to establish the budget for higher education institutions. The bill directly affects public universities by providing their state funding for the upcoming fiscal year. It passed the House with strong support (56-41) and is now moving to the appropriations committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funding for public universities, directly increasing higher education appropriations in the 2025-2026 budget.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funding for Michigan public universities in FY2025-2026, directly advancing higher education funding through legislative budget amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 4579: Appropriations: community colleges; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Amends secs. 201 & 206 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1801 & 388.1806).

HB 4579 allocates state funding to Michigan community colleges for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It amends sections of existing law (MCL 388.1801 and 388.1806) to establish specific budget amounts for college operations. This directly affects all public community colleges in Michigan, which will use these funds for essential expenses like staff salaries, classroom resources, and facility maintenance during the 2025-2026 budget cycle.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funding to community colleges for 2025-2026 operations, directly supporting public education budget allocation through specific appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding for Michigan community colleges' operations (staff, resources, maintenance) in FY2025-2026, directly advancing higher education funding and infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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