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SB 457

Education: board members; state board of education; require members to be selected by each political party from regions. Amends sec. 282a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.282a) & adds sec. 282b.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathan Lindsey and 1 co-sponsor

Michigan SB 457 requires parties to nominate State Board of Education candidates by region on an 8-year rotation, while elections remain statewide.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · SB 457

SB 457 — Summary (Michigan)

Amends MCL 168.282a (1954 PA 116) and adds new section 282b to require political‑party nominations for the State Board of Education to be allocated by geographic region.

Main purpose / intent

To promote geographic diversity on the Michigan State Board of Education by requiring each recognized political party to nominate board candidates from specified regions of the state, while preserving statewide election of board members.

Key provisions

  • Amends section 282a to make party nominations for State Board of Education membership subject to the new regional nomination rules in section 282b.
  • Adds new section 282b which:
    • States legislative intent that board members be nominated by region but continue to be elected and serve statewide.
    • Divides the state into 8 numbered regions (each defined by a specific list of counties). The bill lists the counties comprising each region (Regions 1–8).
    • Establishes a staggered, 8‑year nomination rotation (matching the existing cycle of nominating two candidates every two years):
    • Fall 2026 (and every 8 years thereafter): each party nominates 1 candidate who resides in Region 4 and 1 in Region 8 (or may nominate any individual already elected and serving on the effective date).
    • Fall 2028 (and every 8 years thereafter): each party nominates 1 candidate from Region 6 and 1 from Region 7.
    • Fall 2030 (and every 8 years thereafter): each party nominates 1 candidate from Region 1 and 1 from Region 2.
    • Fall 2032 (and every 8 years thereafter): each party nominates 1 candidate from Region 3 and 1 from Region 5.
  • Maintains that nominations occur at each political party’s fall state convention (per the existing statute).

Who is affected

  • Political parties: party conventions must select nominees who meet the regional residency requirement when nominating State Board of Education candidates.
  • Prospective candidates: must be residents of the specified region to be eligible for party nomination under the rotation applicable that year.
  • Voters / statewide electorate: will continue to elect State Board members in statewide elections (nomination is regional; election remains statewide).
  • State Board of Education composition and campaign strategies: parties will likely alter recruitment and nomination strategies to meet regional requirements.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • The bill establishes the first regional nomination cycle beginning at the fall state convention of 2026 and thereafter on the stated schedule, repeating every 8 years.
  • Enacting section (as drafted) provides the amendatory act takes effect 90 days after enactment into law.

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Expected to increase geographic representation among nominees and, potentially, elected board members (e.g., ensuring candidates from Wayne County and Upper Peninsula regions are regularly nominated).
  • May change party recruitment, platform emphasis, and campaign resource allocation because nominees must satisfy residency requirements though they run in statewide contests.
  • Transitional language allows continuation of service by individuals already elected and serving on the effective date.

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

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