Senate Bill 904 amends Michigan's state school aid act to update how student enrollment and attendance are counted for funding purposes. The bill clarifies rules for counting special education students in center programs and defines specific participation requirements for cyber school students to ensure they are included in membership calculations. By adjusting these definitions, the legislation aims to ensure that state funding is distributed accurately based on the actual number of students being educated in various settings.
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 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 5310 amends Michigan's School Aid Act to clarify rules for counting students enrolled in schools outside their home district (nonresident pupils) for funding purposes. It modifies definitions and provisions related to "district of residence" and student membership calculations, specifically addressing when a school district can count nonresident students for funding. The bill directly affects school districts, public school academies, and students attending schools outside their home district without a cooperative education agreement. Key changes include updating how districts account for nonresident pupils in membership counts and ensuring consistent application of funding formulas. These adjustments aim to streamline administrative processes without creating new school choice programs.
This Senate Resolution (SR 88) requests Governor Whitmer to join the federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program for K-12 education. The resolution directly addresses the governor, asking her to opt-in to a federal program that would allow Michigan taxpayers to receive a $1,700 tax credit for donations to scholarship organizations. These organizations would then provide tax-free scholarships to K-12 students in Michigan public and private schools, starting in 2027. The resolution is non-binding and seeks to encourage state participation in the federal program, which Michigan has not yet elected to join.
HB 5428 amends Michigan's school aid law to clarify rules for virtual courses. It allows students in grades 6-12 to take up to two virtual courses per term without special approval, with exceptions requiring district determination of the student's best interest. School districts must publish virtual courses in district or statewide catalogs, provide mentors for enrolled students, and cover costs using foundation allowance funds (capped at 6.67% of target foundation allowance). The bill also lists specific, non-negotiable reasons districts may deny virtual course enrollment (e.g., grade level, insufficient prerequisites, or course quality) and requires written denial notices with appeal processes.
HB 5312 amends Michigan's School Code to set new tuition limits for nonresident students attending public schools. It limits K-6 tuition to 25% above the district's average daily operation cost per student (excluding building costs), and grades 7-12 tuition to 12.5% above 115% of that same cost. The bill requires districts to use the previous fiscal year's operation costs and membership data for calculations. It also specifies that these rules expire after July 1, 2026, when schools must follow different rules under another law, and notes the bill only takes effect if two companion bills (HB 5310 and HB 5311) also pass. This directly affects school districts setting tuition rates and nonresident families paying those rates.
SB 118 creates a tax credit for Michigan taxpayers with qualifying dependents. It allows a credit equal to the state's "target foundation allowance" (from school funding law) for each dependent aged 5-18 who isn't enrolled in public school and has demonstrated grade-level reading/math proficiency through state or private tests. The credit reduces tax liability, and any excess amount is refunded to the taxpayer. This directly affects families with children meeting these specific educational and enrollment criteria.
House Bill 4330 aims to modify Michigan's State School Aid Act. This bill would allow parents of nonpublic or home-schooled students in grades K-12 to enroll their children in a public school for a core subject without requiring them to enroll in all other core subjects. It amends section 166b of the act, which outlines conditions for part-time public
This bill amends Michigan's education savings program to expand "qualified higher education expenses" to include K-12 tuition at public, private, or religious schools. It directly affects Michigan families using the state's education savings accounts who wish to cover K-12 tuition costs. The key provision changes the definition in the program's law to explicitly include tuition expenses for elementary and secondary schools, aligning with IRS Section 529(c)(7). This allows account owners to withdraw funds for K-12 education without penalty, matching the current treatment for higher education expenses under federal law. The amendment applies to all accounts established under the Michigan Education Savings Program Act.
