This bill amends the State School Aid Act of 1979, focusing on appropriations and allocations for the fiscal years 2025-2026. It increases the state school aid fund allocation from $18,366,334,700.00 to $18,387,334,700.00 and the general fund allocation from $73,151,100.00 to $74,931,100.00. New funding initiatives include $10,000,000.00 for districts impacted by drinking water emergencies, $12,500,000.00 for educator talent initiatives, and $1,000,000.00 for a tip line program regarding improperly stored firearms accessible to minors. The bill also sets requirements for districts to receive grants, emphasizing music and visual arts instruction in elementary schools, and mandates accountability through reporting on fund usage.

Additionally, the bill outlines appropriations for community colleges and public universities, with a gross appropriation of $494,432,100.00 for community colleges and $2,337,091,500.00 for public universities, both reflecting increases from previous amounts. It allocates funds for various educational programs, including $469,500,000.00 for grants and financial aid, and specifies that unspent state general fund money for grants and scholarships must be deposited into the postsecondary scholarship fund. The bill also establishes a work project appropriation for an education performance study, ensuring that any unexpended funds can be carried forward into future fiscal years, thereby promoting effective resource utilization in Michigan's educational system.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 388.1611