Senate Bill 897 amends Michigan's General Sales Tax Act to clarify and expand exemptions for specific entities and agricultural activities. The bill directly affects nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, schools, and agricultural businesses by defining which sales of tangible personal property are not subject to sales tax. Key provisions include explicit exemptions for parent cooperative preschools, expanded definitions for agricultural machinery and equipment used in farming, and specific rules for newspapers and periodicals. The legislation also clarifies that certain structures like greenhouses and portable grain bins are not considered real estate for tax purposes if they can be disassembled without affecting their functionality.
HB 5957 amends Michigan's Revised School Code to modify how nonrenewable temporary teaching certificates are handled and to clarify requirements for out-of-state educators seeking Michigan certification. The bill allows individuals holding valid teaching certificates from other states or countries to receive comparable Michigan credentials without passing state-specific exams if they have at least three years of successful teaching experience. It also establishes that these out-of-state educators must still meet the state's reading credit requirements to advance to professional certification, while ensuring the Superintendent of Public Instruction can deny certificates for fraud or criminal convictions. Additionally, the legislation mandates the development of specific subject area examinations and requires an annual report detailing the exam process and associated financial data.
This bill modifies Michigan's school code to strengthen reading instruction by requiring the state education department to approve specific screening assessments and develop a formal literacy coach model. The legislation mandates that literacy coaches support teachers in using evidence-based strategies for decoding and word recognition while explicitly prohibiting them from performing administrative duties or holding regular classroom teaching assignments. Additionally, the bill directs the department to provide technical assistance on Individual Reading Improvement Plans, establish dyslexia expertise by September 2025, and update dyslexia resource guides every five years. These changes directly affect school districts, public school academies, and educators by setting new standards for reading assessment, intervention, and professional support roles.
This bill requires Michigan school districts and public academies to administer the Presidential Fitness Test starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The law mandates that schools follow the specific guidelines and strategies outlined in a recent federal executive order. By adding a new section to the state's revised school code, the legislation ensures that all public schools operate under this standardized fitness assessment.
This bill repeals Michigan's state real estate transfer tax, which previously applied to the sale of property. It includes a provision to ensure that any resulting loss in state revenue is compensated by transferring funds from the state general fund to the school aid fund. The law will only take effect if a separate companion bill, HB 5880, is also passed.
This bill requires school district boards in Michigan to allow homeschooled and nonpublic school students to join extracurricular activities like sports and clubs if they live within the district. To participate, these students must meet the same academic, conduct, and competitive selection standards as public school students without being forced to enroll in public school classes. The law also prohibits schools from denying participation based on capacity limits unless those limits apply equally to all students and are based on objective criteria. Additionally, districts must report annually on how many nonpublic students apply, are approved, or are denied participation, and they face potential fines for violating these rules.
This bill establishes an interstate agreement allowing school psychologists to practice in multiple states with a single license, aiming to improve access to mental health services in schools. Under the new rules, qualified professionals from one member state can obtain equivalent licensure in other states without facing redundant requirements, while still adhering to local safety and scope-of-practice laws. The legislation also creates a governing commission to oversee the program and includes specific provisions to support military members and their spouses who relocate frequently. By streamlining the licensing process, the bill seeks to address workforce shortages and ensure that students receive services from appropriately qualified experts across state lines.
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 amends Michigan's Commercial Rehabilitation Act to clarify how the commercial rehabilitation tax is calculated for specific types of properties. It establishes that owners of qualified facilities must pay an annual tax based on their property's taxable value, with funds distributed to the state, local governments, and school districts in the same proportions as regular property taxes. A key provision exempts properties located in designated Renaissance or HOPE zones from this tax, provided they meet the requirements of those specific economic development programs. Additionally, the bill includes a special calculation method for retail food establishments that received their exemption certificates before December 31, 2009. The legislation is tied to two other bills, meaning it will only take effect if those companion bills are also enacted into law.
HB 5984 amends Michigan's State School Aid Act to clarify how student attendance and membership are calculated for funding purposes, particularly for special education and cyber schools. The bill defines specific rules for counting students in 'center programs' for special needs pupils and establishes detailed participation requirements for cyber school students, such as logging into lessons or engaging in virtual activities. Additionally, it updates the definition of membership to ensure accurate funding distribution based on actual student enrollment and attendance across various district types.
