Education

passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SR 109: A resolution to designate April 2026 as Community College Month.

Senate Resolution 109 designates April 2026 as Community College Month to honor Michigan's 31 community and tribal colleges. This resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal recognition of the role these institutions play in education and workforce development. A copy of the resolution will be sent to each community college to highlight their contributions to the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates a month to honor community colleges, highlighting their role in education and workforce development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Michigan · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 5858: Economic development: plant rehabilitation; HOPE zone exemption; provide for. Amends sec. 11 of 1974 PA 198 (MCL 207.561). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5852'26, HB 5856'26

HB 5858 amends Michigan law to clarify how specific taxes and administrative fees are collected from owners of industrial facilities that have received tax exemption certificates. The bill establishes rules for distributing these payments, directing funds to the state treasury to support school aid rather than local districts in most cases, while allowing certain districts to retain funds under specific conditions. It also outlines procedures for calculating tax shares and includes provisions for districts that may or may not receive state aid in future fiscal years. This legislation directly affects property owners of industrial facilities, local and intermediate school districts, and the state treasury.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies tax collection and directs funds to state treasury for school aid, strengthening fiscal management and public funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs tax revenue from industrial facilities to the state treasury to support school aid, thereby increasing funding for education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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passed · Michigan · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SR 117: A resolution to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP).

This Senate resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP), an organization that represents retired teachers, administrators, and support staff. The bill formally acknowledges MARSP's long-standing advocacy for the economic security, health, and pension rights of retired school employees in Michigan. By adopting this resolution, the Senate expresses appreciation for the contributions of retired educators and wishes the organization well in its future work.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors retired educators and acknowledges their advocacy for economic security and pension rights, indirectly supporting the education workforce.75% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 952: Education: special education; Michigan special education accountability act; establish. Amends secs. 1310d, 1311, 1526, 1527, 1531 & 1711 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1310d et seq.) & adds secs. 1531k, 1537, 1712 & 1810.

Senate Bill 952 establishes the Michigan Special Education Accountability Act to strengthen protections for students with disabilities facing school discipline. The bill requires school boards and officials to consider specific factors, such as a student's age and disciplinary history, before suspending or expelling any pupil. For suspensions lasting more than 10 days or expulsions involving students with disabilities, the bill mandates that schools complete a functional behavioral assessment, implement a behavior intervention plan, and obtain legal guidance to ensure the action does not violate the student's rights. Additionally, the bill requires districts to annually report all suspensions and expulsions of students with disabilities to the state department.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens protections for students with disabilities and requires careful consideration before suspensions, enhancing educational access and equity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Michigan · House May 20, 2026

HB 5822: Individual income tax: other; qualified higher education expenses under the Michigan education savings program; include qualified postsecondary credentialing expenses. Amends sec. 2 of 2000 PA 161 (MCL 390.1472).

This bill expands the Michigan Education Savings Program to allow withdrawals from education savings accounts for qualified postsecondary credentialing expenses, such as those for professional certifications or licenses. The change directly affects account owners and designated beneficiaries who wish to use their savings for these specific costs in addition to traditional tuition and fees. By updating the state's definition of qualified higher education expenses to align with federal rules, the legislation enables families to access their savings for a broader range of career training without incurring penalties. The bill amends existing state law to incorporate these new expense categories into the program's guidelines.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax-advantaged savings for education, providing tax relief and promoting fiscal responsibility by allowing funds for postsecondary credentials.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands qualified expenses for education savings accounts to include postsecondary credentials, enhancing access to professional development and higher education funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Higher Education

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 830: Financial institutions: small loan companies; licensed providers of deferred presentment service transactions to make certain small loans; allow. Amends title & secs. 2, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 22, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 45, 48 & 53 of 2005 PA 244 (MCL 487.2122 et seq.) & adds secs. 24, 25, 31a & 32a.

This bill amends Michigan's Deferred Presentment Service Transactions Act to allow licensed check cashing businesses to also make small loans to customers who already use their services. The legislation requires these providers to obtain a license and establishes new rules for loan amounts, fees, and customer protections, including requirements to assess debt-to-income ratios and define basic living expenses. It also creates a new fund to support financial literacy education for customers and adds specific definitions and operational procedures to the existing regulatory framework. The changes directly affect small loan companies and check cashing businesses operating in Michigan, as well as the customers who receive these financial services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a new fund to support financial literacy education for customers, which aligns with educational access and student programs70% confidence

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 859: Appropriations: supplemental; supplemental appropriations in the school aid act for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Amends secs. 11 & 17b of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 & 388.1617b).

This bill provides supplemental funding for Michigan public schools for the 2025-2026 fiscal year by allocating money from multiple state funds, including the state school aid fund, general fund, and various reserve funds. It establishes specific payment schedules requiring the state treasurer to distribute funds to school districts in eleven monthly installments starting in October 2025, with provisions for adjusting payments if errors occur or if districts need temporary advance releases. The legislation also includes requirements that any unspent general fund allocations be transferred to a stabilization fund at the end of the fiscal year and mandates that all available federal funds be used only as allocated in the bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides supplemental funding for public schools through state funds, directly advancing budget appropriations and strengthening educational services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides supplemental funding for Michigan public schools for fiscal year 2025-2026, directly strengthening educational infrastructure and financial resources.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 881: Appropriations: supplemental; supplemental appropriations in the school aid act for fiscal year 2026-2027; provide for. Amends secs. 11 & 17b of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1611 & 388.1617b).

This bill appropriates supplemental funding for Michigan public schools for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years, allocating money from multiple state funds including the state school aid fund, general fund, and various reserve funds. The legislation specifies exact dollar amounts for each fiscal year and outlines how funds from different sources must be spent, with general fund money required to be used before state school aid fund money. It also establishes an 11-installment payment schedule for distributing funds to school districts and intermediate districts, with provisions for advance payments in cases of temporary, nonrecurring needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides supplemental funding for Michigan public schools, increasing state budget allocations for education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides supplemental funding for Michigan public schools, directly increasing financial resources for education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget School Funding

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passed · Michigan · House Aug 26, 2026

HB 5648: Education: graduation requirements; credit for working certain trades; provide for. Amends sec. 1278a of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278a) & adds sec. 1279i.

This Michigan bill updates high school graduation requirements by allowing students to earn math credits through approved career and technical education programs in trades like welding, construction, and engineering. It adds a new section to the state school code that recognizes formal CTE programs as equivalent to traditional math courses when they cover the same content as state assessments. The legislation also clarifies how personal finance courses can count toward multiple subject requirements, including math, arts, and foreign language credits. These changes directly affect public school districts and academies in Michigan by providing more flexibility in how students meet graduation standards while maintaining core academic expectations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands graduation requirements by allowing math credits through CTE programs, enhancing educational access and student program flexibility.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum K-12 Education

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signed · Michigan · House Jul 29, 2026

HB 5646: Education: other; certain requirements for the approval of teacher preparation programs; create. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1531l.

This bill would require Michigan teacher preparation programs to mandate specific literacy training for all participants by September 2027. The legislation adds new requirements to the state's school code, making completion of LETRS training and comprehensive knowledge of the science of reading mandatory for graduation from these programs. Specifically, all individuals in teacher preparation programs must complete LETRS training, and those who teach literacy or reading methods courses must also demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of reading science. The bill applies to both traditional teacher preparation programs and alternative teaching programs, with the state department responsible for enforcing these new approval standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates literacy training for teacher preparation programs, enhancing teacher qualifications and student reading outcomes through science of reading requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers