Education

HB 4150 eliminates application evaluation fees for school-related processes under Michigan's Revised School Code. It directly affects individuals applying for educational certifications, programs, or school-related services by removing a requirement to pay fees when their applications are reviewed. The bill amends two specific sections (MCL 380.1531h and 380.1538) to delete the fee mandate, streamlining the application process. This change applies statewide to all relevant school applications governed by the revised code. The bill passed the Michigan House with strong support (83-26) on March 12, 2025, and is now awaiting further legislative action.

HB 4153 creates a new "local teaching certificate" pathway for educators in Michigan. It amends the Revised School Code to define a "certificated teacher" as including individuals holding either a standard teaching certificate or this new local certificate (under added Section 1531l). The bill directly affects teachers seeking certification through local school districts or authorized entities, rather than the standard state-issued process. Key provisions establish that local certificates must meet state standards but can be issued by districts or approved entities, expanding certification options for schools. This change modifies existing sections (501, 521, 551, etc.) to incorporate the new local certificate type into teacher certification requirements.

HB 4151 modifies Michigan's teacher certification rules, primarily allowing experienced educators from other states to obtain Michigan teaching licenses without retaking certain exams if they've taught successfully for at least three years in their home state. It maintains existing requirements for new teachers to complete reading competency training (including diagnosing reading disabilities) before advancing to professional certification. The bill also requires the education department to report annually on exam fees and develop standardized tests for teacher certification, while keeping the same reading proficiency standards for Michigan-certified teachers. These changes directly affect teachers seeking certification or additional endorsements in Michigan, especially those transferring from other states or countries.

HB 4060 amends Michigan's school code to update rules for funding area career and technical education (CTE) programs through local property taxes. It sets specific millage limits: new programs can levy up to 1 mill, while existing programs can increase to 1.5 times their 1993 rate (with elector approval only for new increases). The bill requires school districts to audit and publicly post CTE fund usage online, mandates repayment if funds are misused, and defines allowable CTE program expenses to include inter-district contracts. These changes directly affect intermediate school districts operating CTE programs and ensure tax dollars are used solely for designated career education purposes.

HB 4162 allocates $17.77 billion in state and federal funds for Michigan's K-12 public schools for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, primarily from the state school aid fund and other designated trust funds. It sets a new target per-student funding level of $10,025 and establishes a formula to calculate each school district's foundation allowance based on the previous year's funding, inflation (using the Consumer Price Index), and the target amount. School districts with funding below the target receive adjusted increases, while those above the target see smaller raises tied to inflation. The bill directly affects all public school districts by determining their state funding allocation through this updated formula.