Education (School Transportation)

Michigan House Bill 6273 amends the state vehicle code to update rules regarding speed limits in school zones. The bill allows county road commissions to permanently lower a school zone speed limit to 25 miles per hour upon request from a school district, without requiring a new traffic study. It also clarifies that temporary reduced speed limits can be set up to 30 minutes before and after school sessions, with flexibility for superintendents to adjust these times based on specific schedules or off-campus lunch periods.

This bill modifies Michigan's pupil transportation laws to clarify safety requirements for school vehicles. It mandates that all school buses used for student transport must meet or exceed federal safety standards for construction and seating. Additionally, the bill prohibits using any vehicle with 11 or more passengers, including the driver, to transport students unless it is specifically classified as a motor bus under separate regulations. These changes directly affect public and private schools, as well as private businesses and government units that operate vehicles for student transport.

This bill modifies Michigan's vehicle code to update rules for speed limits and enforcement in school zones. It clarifies definitions for school zones and adjusts the timing of when lower speed limits must be enforced, expanding the window before and after school sessions to 60 minutes instead of 30. The legislation also allows school superintendents to set additional enforcement periods for times like off-campus lunch and field trips, while maintaining a minimum speed limit of 25 mph in these zones. Additionally, it permits the use of digital signs and flashing lights to display school zone speed limits and requires specific signage for year-round schools.

HB 5631 is a supplemental appropriations bill that allocates specific funding amounts for Michigan public schools during fiscal years 2025-2026. It authorizes $17.9 billion from the state school aid fund and other designated funds (like the school transportation fund, enrollment stabilization fund, and educator fellowship fund) for the 2025-2026 school year, with slightly adjusted amounts for 2026-2027. The bill establishes a monthly payment schedule (October through August) for distributing these funds to school districts and intermediate districts, requiring the state treasurer to make payments via electronic transfer or warrant on specified dates. It also includes provisions for adjusting payments due to errors or changes in law and specifies that unspent general fund allocations will transfer to the school aid stabilization fund. This bill directly affects all public school districts and intermediate districts in Michigan by determining their state education funding allocation and payment timeline.

HB 4875 mandates annual state funding of at least $125 million starting in fiscal year 2026 to cover school transportation costs for students. It directly affects Michigan public school districts by requiring dedicated state appropriations for pupil transportation, as defined under existing state school aid law. The bill creates a permanent funding mechanism ensuring consistent support for school bus services and related operational costs. This provision applies specifically to transportation services for students, not general school funding. The bill is currently under review in the Appropriations Committee after its introduction on September 11, 2025.