Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

Legislative Analysis
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REQUIRE INFORMATION IN PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
                                                                             http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
AND SIGNAGE OF CERTAIN CHARTER SCHOOLS
                                                                             Analysis available at
House Bill 5231 (H-1) as reported from committee                             http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Sponsor: Rep. Regina Weiss
House Bill 5232 (H-1) as reported
Sponsor: Rep. Stephanie A. Young
House Bill 5233 (H-1) as reported                      House Bill 5234 (H-1) as reported
Sponsor: Rep. Samantha Steckloff                       Sponsor: Rep. Helena Scott
Committee: Education
Complete to 5-20-24
SUMMARY:
       House Bills 5231 to 5234 would each amend the Revised School Code to add a requirement
       that the names of the authorizing body of a public school academy (PSA, or charter school)
       and, if applicable, its primary educational management organization, appear and be verbally
       provided, as applicable, on all of the following:
           • Signage erected, repaired, or installed on or after the bill’s effective date.
           • Promotional material created, modified, or distributed on or after that effective date.
           • The footer of the PSA’s webpage.
           • The PSA’s enrollment application.
       These requirements would have to be included in contracts to organize and administer a PSA,
       including a school of excellence, strict discipline academy, or urban high school academy, that
       are entered into, extended, renewed, or modified on or after the effective date of the applicable
       bill.
               Primary educational management organization would mean an educational
               management organization that is responsible for both administrative services or staff
               and educational and instructional services or staff.
               Educational management organization would mean a partnership, nonprofit or
               business corporation, or any other association, corporation, trust, or other legal entity
               that enters into an agreement with a PSA (including a school of excellence, strict
               discipline academy, or urban high school academy) to provide comprehensive
               educational, administrative, management, or instructional services or staff to that PSA.
               Promotional material would mean any of the following:
                  • Billboards
                  • Internet advertisements
                  • Television advertisements
                  • Radio advertisements
       House Bill 5231 would extend these requirements to PSAs. (MCL 380.503)
House Fiscal Agency                                                                           Page 1 of 2
       House Bill 5232 would extend these requirements to schools of excellence, although the
       physical signage requirement would not apply to cyber schools. (MCL 380.553)
       House Bill 5233 would extend these requirements to strict discipline academies. (MCL
       380.13121e)
       House Bill 5234 would extend these requirements to urban high school academies. (MCL
       380.523)
BRIEF DISCUSSION:
       While PSAs are subject to the oversight of their board, like a school in a traditional public
       school district, they commonly employ an educational management organization (EMO) to
       oversee the day-to-day operations of the school, including hiring staff, providing materials, and
       even providing the building where the school is housed. Supporters of the bills argue that the
       proposed posting and signage requirements would provide needed transparency for families
       considering enrollment in a PSA, and for members of the community, so they can know who
       is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a particular PSA.
FISCAL IMPACT:
       The bills would have no fiscal impact on the state and would create minimal costs for PSAs,
       schools of excellence, strict discipline academies, and urban high school academies. These
       entities would be required to include the name of the authorizing body and the primary
       educational management organization on all signage, promotional material, websites, and
       applications for the entity. Because this requirement only applies to materials created,
       modified, or distributed after the effective date of the bills, costs would be minimal and likely
       absorbed using existing staff time.
POSITIONS:
       The following entities indicated support for the bills:
          • Michigan Department of Education (10-31-23)
          • American Association of University Women of Michigan (4-23-24)
          • Michigan Education Association (4-23-24)
       The following entities indicated a neutral position on the bills (10-31-23):
          • Michigan Association of Public School Academies
          • Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers
       The following entities indicated opposition to the bills:
          • Mackinac Center for Public Policy (4-23-24)
          • Great Lakes Education Project Education Fund (10-31-23)
                                                          Legislative Analyst: Josh Roesner
                                                             Fiscal Analysts: Noel Benson
                                                                               Jacqueline Mullen
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency                                            HBs 5231 to 5234 as reported   Page 2 of 2
Statutes affected: 
Substitute (H-1): 380.523
House Introduced Bill: 380.523
As Passed by the House: 380.523