Education

passed both · Michigan · House May 20, 2025

HB 4259: Education: safety; definitions in the student safety act; modify. Amends sec. 2 of 2013 PA 183 (MCL 752.912). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4258'25

HB 4259 amends the Student Safety Act by updating key definitions to clarify the law's scope. It specifies that "school" includes all public, private, denominational, and parochial schools serving kindergarten through 12th grade, and "school property" covers buildings, fields, and school buses. The bill also defines the "hotline" as a statewide system for reporting safety concerns via phone, text, or online. These changes ensure consistent application of the Student Safety Act for all schools and safety reports. The bill requires concurrent passage of HB 4258 to take effect.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies school safety definitions to ensure consistent application across all K-12 schools, strengthening protective measures for educational environments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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passed both · Michigan · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 4156: Education: curriculum; merit curriculum; modify. Amends secs. 1278a & 1278b of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1278a & 380.1278b) & adds sec. 1278e.

HB 4156 amends Michigan's high school graduation requirements for diplomas. It modifies mathematics credit rules by allowing students to fulfill algebra II requirements through approved career and technical education programs (e.g., engineering, computer science) that cover equivalent content, rather than solely through traditional math courses. The bill also clarifies social science requirements, specifying that students entering grade 8 before 2023 may satisfy the economics credit with a personal economics course containing financial literacy, while maintaining core history and civics requirements for all students. These changes directly affect Michigan high school students and school districts by altering diploma eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends graduation requirements to allow CTE programs to fulfill math credits, expanding curriculum options and career pathways for students without reducing academic standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables computer science programs to fulfill algebra II requirements, promoting tech education pathways within graduation standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 4580: Appropriations: higher education; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Amend secs. 236 & 241 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1836 & 388.1841).

HB 4580 allocates funding for Michigan's public universities during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It amends specific sections of Michigan law (MCL 388.1836 and 388.1841) to establish the budget for higher education institutions. The bill directly affects public universities by providing their state funding for the upcoming fiscal year. It passed the House with strong support (56-41) and is now moving to the appropriations committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funding for public universities, directly increasing higher education appropriations in the 2025-2026 budget.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funding for Michigan public universities in FY2025-2026, directly advancing higher education funding through legislative budget amendments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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in committee · Michigan · Senate May 21, 2025

SB 321: Individual income tax: credit; credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations and deduction of funds distributed to student opportunity scholarship accounts; provide for. Amends sec. 30 of 1967 PA 281 (MCL 206.30) & adds secs. 279 & 679. TIE BAR WITH: SB 320'25

Senate Bill 321 proposes changes to Michigan's Income Tax Act for individuals. The bill aims to create an income tax credit for contributions made to scholarship-granting organizations. It also seeks to establish a tax deduction for funds distributed to student opportunity scholarship accounts. These provisions are intended to incentivize financial support for educational scholarships. However, the specific details regarding the eligibility, amounts, and operational mechanisms of these new credits and deductions are not present in the provided truncated bill text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit/deduction for scholarship contributions, providing tax relief to incentivize educational support under tax policy.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit/deduction for scholarship contributions, incentivizing private funding for educational access per bill summary and subjects.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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passed both · Michigan · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 4153: Education: teachers and administrators; district-level certifications; provide for. Amends secs. 501, 521, 551, 1231, 1233, 1311b, 1526, 1535a & 1809 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.501 et seq.) & adds sec. 1531l.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative certification pathway for teachers, expanding access to teaching roles without state oversight, supporting educator recruitment and flexibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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passed both · Michigan · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 4151: Education: teachers and administrators; endorsement requirements; modify. Amends sec. 1531 of 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1531).

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEases certification for out-of-state teachers to address shortages while maintaining reading competency requirements, strengthening educator workforce access and retention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 12, 2025

HB 4578: Appropriations: department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

HB 4578 provides the budget for the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential for fiscal year 2025-2026. It allocates specific funding amounts to support the department's programs and operations during the upcoming year. The bill directly affects the department by determining its available resources for delivering services related to education and workforce development. This is a routine budget measure that establishes funding levels without introducing new policies or altering existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates FY2025-2026 funding to Department of Lifelong Education for programs and operations, directly supporting budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates FY2025-2026 funding to Department of Lifelong Education, directly supporting its education and workforce development programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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passed both · Michigan · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 4579: Appropriations: community colleges; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Amends secs. 201 & 206 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1801 & 388.1806).

HB 4579 allocates state funding to Michigan community colleges for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It amends sections of existing law (MCL 388.1801 and 388.1806) to establish specific budget amounts for college operations. This directly affects all public community colleges in Michigan, which will use these funds for essential expenses like staff salaries, classroom resources, and facility maintenance during the 2025-2026 budget cycle.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funding to community colleges for 2025-2026 operations, directly supporting public education budget allocation through specific appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding for Michigan community colleges' operations (staff, resources, maintenance) in FY2025-2026, directly advancing higher education funding and infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Higher Education

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passed both · Michigan · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 4576: Appropriations: department of education; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Creates appropriation act.

HB 4576 is the fiscal year 2025-2026 appropriations bill for the Michigan Department of Education. It authorizes specific funding levels for the department's operations and programs during the upcoming state fiscal year. The bill passed the House on June 11, 2025, with 56 ayes, 53 noes, and 1 excused. As a procedural appropriations act, it establishes the legal funding framework but does not detail specific programs or spending items beyond the authorized amounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly funds Michigan Department of Education operations via FY2025-26 appropriations, advancing public education budgeting as an essential state service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriations bill authorizes specific funding levels for Michigan Department of Education, establishing legal funding framework for educational programs and operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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passed both · Michigan · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 4369: Education: meals; certain substances served in school foods; prohibit. Amends 2000 PA 92 (MCL 289.1101 - 289.8111) by adding sec. 7134.

HB 4369 bans specific substances from being served in school meals under Michigan's education food laws. It directly affects school food programs by prohibiting these substances in meals provided to students. The bill amends Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 289.1101-289.8111 by adding Section 7134, which establishes the ban. This is a concrete policy change to regulate school food content, with no additional context provided on the specific substances or implementation details.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans harmful substances in school meals, promoting student health and safety within educational environment per MCL amendments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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