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 378 requires Michigan public schools to receive annual letter grades (A-F) starting in the 2025-2026 school year based on five specific metrics: student proficiency in math and English language arts, student growth in those subjects, progress for English language learners, high school graduation rates, and academic performance compared to similar schools. The grades are assigned by the state education department using defined measures, such as growth from fall to spring assessments or maintaining proficiency. This directly affects all public schools in Michigan by publicly reporting their performance across these standardized indicators. The bill does not change school funding or operations but creates a new transparency framework for reporting school performance.
HB 4705 amends Michigan's State School Aid Act to allocate $17.77 billion in state funding for K-12 public schools during the 2025-2026 school year. It specifies that funds will come from the state school aid fund and designated trust funds (including those for transportation, meals, and school readiness programs). The bill establishes a payment schedule of 11 installments per year, starting October 20 and ending August 20, to distribute funds to school districts. Additionally, it allows temporary advances to districts in urgent need, with advances limited to no more than 30 days before the regular payment date.
HB 4082 modifies how Michigan school districts count students enrolled in work-based learning programs (like internships or apprenticeships) for state funding purposes. It adjusts the "membership" calculation - used to determine school aid - so these students are properly counted in the district where they receive their primary education, rather than being excluded due to their off-site learning. This change directly affects school districts, public school academies, and students participating in approved work-based learning experiences. The bill amends existing school aid law to ensure these students contribute to membership counts for funding, aligning with the state's goal of fair resource allocation.
SB 494 appropriates $17.77 billion for Michigan public schools in fiscal year 2025 and $65 million for fiscal year 2026 from multiple state funds, including the state school aid fund and dedicated education reserves. It specifies how these funds must be allocated across education programs and requires unspent general fund money to transfer to a school aid stabilization fund. The bill does not create new programs but adjusts funding allocations for existing state education budgets. This legislation directly affects all public school districts receiving state education funding under Michigan's school aid system.
HB 4874 requires the Michigan legislature to appropriate at least $12.3 million annually starting fiscal year 2026 for supplemental payments to rural school districts meeting specific criteria defined in existing law (MCL 388.1622d). This bill directly affects eligible rural and isolated school districts by guaranteeing additional state funding beyond their regular school aid. The key provision mandates a fixed annual appropriation for these districts, ensuring consistent supplemental support beginning in 2026. The bill does not change how districts operate or define "rural districts," but rather establishes a dedicated funding stream for them. It is currently in the introduction phase, referred to the Appropriations Committee.
HB 4875 mandates annual state funding of at least $125 million starting in fiscal year 2026 to cover school transportation costs for students. It directly affects Michigan public school districts by requiring dedicated state appropriations for pupil transportation, as defined under existing state school aid law. The bill creates a permanent funding mechanism ensuring consistent support for school bus services and related operational costs. This provision applies specifically to transportation services for students, not general school funding. The bill is currently under review in the Appropriations Committee after its introduction on September 11, 2025.
HB 4872 requires Michigan public schools to receive at least $210 per student annually starting in fiscal year 2026 for mental health and safety programs. It directly affects all public schools in the state by mandating this minimum per-pupil funding level, defined using the standard "membership" calculation from Michigan's school aid law. The bill creates a new funding mechanism within the School Code to address school safety and student mental health needs. This is a concrete policy change that would allocate state funds specifically for these purposes, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
HB 4869 mandates that Michigan's legislature appropriate at least $2.6 billion annually starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund special education services for public school students. This funding directly supports school districts providing services under specific sections of Michigan's State School Aid Act (MCL 388.1651a, 388.1651c, 388.1651d, 388.1651e, 388.1653a, 388.1654, and 388.1656). The bill requires the state to set aside this specific amount each year for special education programs, rather than relying on existing funding formulas. It applies to all public school districts serving students with disabilities under the referenced statutes. The bill was introduced on September 11, 2025, and referred to the Appropriations Committee.
HB 4877 requires Michigan's legislature to appropriate annual funds starting in fiscal year 2026 for public schools to support at-risk pupils, as defined under existing law. Each school would receive 35% of its base foundation allowance (the standard funding amount under the State School Aid Act) specifically for these students. The bill directly affects all public schools in Michigan by mandating dedicated supplemental funding for at-risk pupils, tied to their existing state funding allocation. This policy change creates a new, recurring funding mechanism for targeted student support beginning in 2026.
