Legislative Updates
The Office of Government Relations tracks legislation at the State and Federal level to understand its impact on the University of Michigan-Flint campus and to advise the Chancellor and other administrative and academic officers on the potential impact.
State legislation:
SB 1099 “Higher Education Appropriation bills for FY 2008-09”. The legislation will fund the 15 public universities in the State of Michigan beginning October 1, 2008. The State Senate rejected the Governor’s recommendation of using a formula based approached to higher education funding. Instead, the legislators approved an appropriation bill that allocates a single bill approach to funding with a 3% across-the-board increase for all 15 public universities.
Current status: Approved by the Michigan State Senate on March 25, 2008. The Michigan State House began their legislative hearings in April 2008.
SB 73 A bill to amend 1998 Public 58, entitled “Michigan liquor control code of 1998” by amending section 513. This bill would allow the University of Michigan-Flint to use of its liquor license at the university owned Northbank Center.
Current status: The legislation is still pending before the Michigan State Senate Committee on Economic Development and Regulatory Reform. State Senator Deborah Cherry introduced it on January 25, 2007.
HB 4350/ 4351 “Higher Education Appropriation” bills for FY 2007-08”, these two bills will fund the 15 public universities in the State of Michigan for FY 2007-08 beginning October 1, 2007. It creates a two bill approach to higher education: one bill for the “Big Three”: UM-Ann Arbor, Michigan State University and Wayne State University; and one bill for the remaining 12 public universities. All institutions are proposed to receive a 2.5% inflationary increase in their base allocation.
Current status: Public Act 136 of 2007 (HB 4350) went into effect on November 8, 2007. It created a single bill to fund the State’s 15 public universities with two sections: one section for the State’s three research intensive universities and one section for the remaining 12 public universities. The law allocated a 1% across-the-board increase for each university.
HB 4559 “The Entrepreneurship Education Act”, “under which eligible students could receive a one-time reimbursement for tuition paid for courses in "entrepreneurship." The maximum amount of reimbursement would be $300, and students would apply to the Department of Labor and Economic Growth for reimbursement.”
Current status: The bill was reported out from the House Committee on Commerce with a substitute (H-1) for a second reading on the House floor (November 8, 2007). The Michigan State House has not yet approved it.
HB 4591 “Teacher Certification Fees”. The legislation would amend the Revised School Code to increase certification fees for teachers, psychologists, school counselors, and administrators and also set a fee schedule for Michigan’s teacher preparation programs.
Current status: It has been approved by the Michigan Legislature and signed into law by Governor Granholm on November 19, 2007. It is now Public Act 144 of 2007.
HB 4595 “Promise Grants: Include Michigan Residents graduating from Out-of-State High Schools” The legislation expands eligibility for the grand awards up to $4,000 for postsecondary education so as to include certain Michigan residents who graduate from out-of-state high schools.
Current status: It has been approved by the Michigan Legislature and signed by Governor Granholm into law on July 12, 2007. It is now Public Act 42 of 2007.
SB 70 “The revised school code” would extend until July 1, 2008 the requirement for current teachers to receive training concerning reading problems.
Current status: It has been approved by the Michigan Legislature and signed by Governor Granholm into law on July 1, 2007. It is now Public Act 32 of 2007.
For a listing of all state legislative bills that may have an impact on higher education, please use this link.