This bill modifies Michigan's property tax laws to exclude certain university data centers from tax exemptions. It specifically targets public universities, defined as those receiving state school aid, by removing their tax-free status for facilities used solely to operate data centers. The legislation defines a data center as a building housing infrastructure for third-party commercial data processing. This change directly affects public universities in Michigan that currently rely on property tax exemptions for their data center operations.
HB 5487 adjusts funding for the Michigan Technological University's H-STEM Engineering and Health Technology Complex (Phase I). It decreases the state's capital outlay appropriation by $1.5 million, reducing the total project cost to $51.59 million (state share: $29.70 million; university share: $21.89 million; minimal state general fund: $200). The bill directly affects Michigan Technological University and the state budget by modifying existing construction funding authorized in prior legislation. It specifies how the adjusted funds must be spent for this specific campus complex project.
HB 4521 modifies Michigan's tuition grant program for resident students at eligible nonprofit colleges. It sets limits: 10 semesters for undergraduate study (12 for 2020-2021 enrollees), 6 for graduate, and 8 for dental programs. The bill excludes students receiving Michigan Achievement Scholarships and those in theology programs, while requiring financial need assessment using criteria from another state aid program. Grants cover tuition/fees up to the college's annual cost or the student's financial need, whichever is lower, and prioritize full-time students.
This bill amends Michigan's state constitution to prohibit using the state school aid fund for the day-to-day operating costs of public universities. It updates the list of designated public universities (including the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University) and explicitly bans the fund from covering expenses like staff salaries or facility maintenance. The state school aid fund, previously designated for schools, higher education, and retirement systems, would no longer support university operations under this change. This directly affects all public universities that may have relied on this funding stream for operational budgets.
HB 5088 limits annual state funding for Michigan community colleges and higher education to $1.324 billion from the state school aid fund, starting in fiscal year 2026. This directly affects community colleges and public universities that receive state funding through the school aid program. The bill creates a hard cap on these appropriations, requiring that any amount exceeding the limit be covered by general fund money instead of the school aid fund. This policy change explicitly restricts how state education funds can be allocated, with no additional policy effects described in the bill text.
HB 5242 prohibits accrediting agencies from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, programs, or practices when making accreditation decisions for Michigan's public and private colleges and universities. The bill directly affects higher education institutions, accrediting agencies, and their students and employees by requiring accreditation decisions to focus solely on academic standards. Key provisions ban agencies from reviewing DEI-related information, collecting such data, or requiring diversity statements, with enforcement through lawsuits by students, employees, or the Attorney General. Violations could result in triple damages, attorney fees, and up to $1,000 per affected student in penalties.
