Michigan House Bill HB5797

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/15/26
• Refer: 4/15/26

Caption

School aid: penalties; exception to minimum days of pupil instruction requirement for inclement weather; revise. Amends sec. 101 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1701).

Impact

The proposed changes in HB 5797 aim to provide greater flexibility for school districts facing challenges that affect their ability to meet minimum instructional time requirements. By allowing districts to count certain non-instructional days as instructional time, it offers a safeguard against financial penalties they would otherwise face for noncompliance. This could result in maintaining funding levels during unforeseen circumstances, thus supporting both schools and their students in times of crisis.

Summary

House Bill 5797 seeks to amend the State School Aid Act of 1979 by providing exceptions to the minimum days and hours of pupil instruction for the 2024-2025 school year under specific emergency conditions. The bill allows school districts to apply for waivers that would exempt them from meeting the typical instructional requirements if they are affected by a declared state of emergency by the governor. This includes significant weather events or other uncontrollable circumstances that prevent school operation for certain days.

Contention

Despite the intended benefits, there are points of contention surrounding the bill. Critics argue that the allowance of waivers may lead to inconsistencies and disparities in educational quality across different districts. There is concern that some districts may take advantage of these provisions, resulting in fewer instructional days and lower academic performance amongst students. Additionally, the broad criteria for declaring a state of emergency may be subject to interpretation, leading to uneven applications of the law across the state.