WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 5154

Education: athletics; admission fee for middle school and high school interscholastic athletic activities; allow for cash as accepted form of payment. Amends 1976 PA 451 (MCL 380.1 - 380.1852) by adding sec. 1290.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ann Bollin and 9 co-sponsors

Michigan public middle and high schools must accept cash for admission to interscholastic athletic events, ensuring families without cards or mobile pay aren’t excluded.

referred to second reading
#education:athletics #recreation:athleticsandsports
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5154

Summary — HB 5154 (1976 PA 451 — added Sec. 1290)

Status: Enacted (signed by Governor June 20, 2025; effective immediately)

Sponsor: Rep. Rachelle Smit (introduced March 14, 2025; reported as House Bill No. 5154)

Statutory change: Adds section 1290 to the Revised School Code (1976 PA 451; MCL 380.1–380.1852).

Purpose

Require public middle schools and high schools to accept cash as an acceptable form of payment when charging admission fees for interscholastic athletic events, ensuring families who rely on cash are not excluded by cashless-only payment policies.

Key provisions

  • New Sec. 1290(1): If a public high school or middle school charges an admission fee for an interscholastic athletic activity event it offers, the governing board (school district board, intermediate school district board, or public school academy board of directors) must ensure that cash is accepted as a form of payment for that fee.
  • New Sec. 1290(2): Defines terms for the section:
    • "High school" — a school offering at least one of grades 9–12.
    • "Middle school" — a school offering at least one of grades 6–8.

Who is affected

  • Public school entities that operate middle or high schools in Michigan, including:
    • Local school district boards
    • Intermediate school district boards
    • Public school academies (charter school boards)
  • Families, students, and community members who attend interscholastic athletic events at those schools, particularly those who rely on cash payments.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Accessibility: Removes barriers for attendees who lack bank accounts, cards, or mobile payment options by guaranteeing a cash option for admission.
  • Operational implications for schools: May require procedures for cash handling, providing change, secure cash storage, accounting and reconciliation, possible minor staffing or security adjustments, and updated ticketing practices.
  • Enforcement/penalties: The text mandates boards “ensure” cash is accepted but does not specify enforcement mechanisms or penalties for noncompliance.
  • Scope: Applies only to admission fees for interscholastic athletic activity events at public middle and high schools as defined in the section.

Legislative actions (selected)

  • Passed both chambers (House and Senate) in May 2025 (Senate amendments concurred by House), enrolled May 30, 2025, signed by Governor June 20, 2025, effective immediately.

This amendment adds a narrow, access-focused requirement to the Revised School Code to preserve cash as an available payment method for school athletic event admission fees.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.