Rep. Gina Johnsen

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changing how members are selected for the Michigan State Board of Education by requiring political parties to nominate candidates from specific geographic districts. Under the new rules, each party would nominate one candidate from District 1 and one from District 4 in even-numbered years starting in 2026, and one from District 2 and one from District 3 in odd-numbered years starting in 2028. These district-based nominations would replace the previous system where parties nominated candidates without specific geographic requirements. The legislation aims to ensure that board members represent distinct regions of the state rather than being chosen solely by statewide party conventions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Education to create and publish a list of recommended curriculum and assessment companies for school districts and academies by April 1, 2026. To be included on this list, companies must offer programs that align with state standards, provide evidence of effectiveness, support diverse learning needs, and offer flexible, accessible digital and print materials. The department must update this list annually, but school boards retain the authority to choose whether or not to use the recommended companies.

Maddy summaryHB 5928 modifies Michigan's teacher certification rules by establishing new requirements for reading instruction and adjusting how out-of-state credentials are handled. The bill mandates that all teachers complete a specific course on diagnosing and remediating reading disabilities before advancing to professional certification, while also requiring reading standards to include provisions for students with reading disorders. It creates pathways for teachers holding valid licenses from other states or tribes to receive Michigan certification without retaking exams if they have at least three years of successful teaching experience, though they must still meet the new reading course requirement to obtain professional status. Additionally, the legislation directs the state superintendent to develop or select subject area exams based on expert recommendations and requires an annual report on these testing processes and associated fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's state school aid act to provide specific funding for public schools, intermediate districts, and nonpublic schools to address student mental health and school safety. It allocates money from various state funds for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, requiring that fifty percent of the designated funds be used for safety measures such as hiring school resource officers and installing security infrastructure like cameras and door blocks. The remaining portion of the funding must be spent on mental health services, including hiring counselors and social workers, purchasing screening tools, and providing staff training on threat assessment and crisis communication. Additionally, the legislation establishes a secure platform for school officials and emergency responders to coordinate safety information and mandates that any software used to detect firearms on school property must be proprietary and organically developed.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Michigan teacher preparation programs to include specific training on dyslexia and the science of reading by September 2027. Starting that date, the state will not approve or will revoke approval for any teacher training program unless it covers instruction on dyslexia characteristics, reading comprehension issues, and evidence-based teaching methods grounded in structured literacy. Programs preparing teachers for math or science certifications must also ensure their curricula were developed with input from professors specializing in those subjects. The legislation defines key terms like "dyslexia" and "evidence-based" to ensure clarity and sets up a waiver process for programs that do not initially meet these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's school code to establish a new alternative merit curriculum for awarding high school diplomas. It requires students to complete specific credits in mathematics, social sciences, health, and arts, while also introducing a future skills requirement starting in the 2028-2029 school year. The legislation allows schools to fulfill these requirements through a variety of courses, including career and technical education programs and locally developed classes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Michigan Department of Education to publish a report on its website by June 1, 2026, and annually thereafter. The report will display the student-to-teacher ratio for every public school in the state. This change aims to increase transparency regarding class sizes and staffing levels across the public education system.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a dedicated fund within the state school aid system to support school districts in consolidating administrative and operational functions. It allows districts to apply for grants of up to $250,000 to conduct feasibility studies on merging services such as finance, human resources, information technology, transportation, and facility management. The legislation also establishes rules for how the fund is managed, including requirements that study results be shared publicly and that infrastructure funding be withheld until facility condition assessments are completed.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of highway M-26 in Adams Township as the "Private Wesley Vietti Karna Memorial Highway." The designated stretch runs from Academy Street south to Hubbard Avenue. By adding a new section to the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, the legislation formally assigns this name to the road to honor Private Wesley Vietti Karna.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to explicitly state in Michigan election law that individuals who are not U.S. citizens are ineligible to register to vote or participate in any election within the state. The key provision adds a new section to the existing election code to clarify that non-citizens cannot vote in federal, state, or local races. By codifying this restriction, the bill aims to reinforce current legal standards regarding voter eligibility without changing the underlying requirement of citizenship.