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HB 4148

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

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cam Cavitt and 11 co-sponsors

HB 4148 requires State Board of Education nominees to reside in four districts with an 8-year rotating schedule; HJR E would let the Governor appoint the State Superintendent with Senate consent (2027+).

referred to Committee on Rules
#education:boardmembers #elections:politicalparties #elections:school
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Bill Summary · HB 4148

Summary — HB 4148 (Michigan) / HJR E (companion constitutional change)

Status: Introduced March 10, 2025; referred to Committee on Rules.
Primary sponsor (bill): Rep. Donni Steele. Companion HJR E sponsor: Rep. Bill G. Schuette.

Purpose

HB 4148 changes how political parties must select nominees for the State Board of Education by requiring candidates to be residents of one of four geographic districts. House Joint Resolution E (HJR E), considered alongside HB 4148, proposes a constitutional change to transfer authority to appoint the State Superintendent of Public Instruction from the State Board of Education to the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Key provisions — HB 4148

  • Amends Michigan Election Law (adds MCL 168.282b; modifies MCL 168.282a) to require political parties to nominate State Board of Education candidates based on residency in four specified districts rather than statewide (at-large) residency.
  • Establishes four districts that mirror the Court of Appeals districts under the Revised Judicature Act (counties enumerated in the bill).
  • Maintains the existing pattern of party nominations (two nominees every two years), but ties nominees to districts on an 8-year rotating schedule:
    • 2026 and every 8 years thereafter: one candidate from District 1 and one from District 4.
    • 2028 and every 8 years thereafter: one candidate from District 2 and one from District 3.
    • 2030 repeats 2026 schedule; 2032 repeats 2028 schedule, etc.
  • State Board members continue to serve eight-year terms.

Key provisions — HJR E (constitutional amendment proposal)

  • Amends Article VIII, §3 of the Michigan Constitution to allow the Governor, with Senate advice and consent, to appoint the State Superintendent.
  • Sets the Superintendent’s term at up to four years as determined by the Governor.
  • States that the amendment would apply to appointments made on or after January 1, 2027.
  • To take effect, HJR E must be approved by two-thirds of each legislative chamber and then approved by voters at the next even-year November election.

Who is affected

  • Political parties: must ensure nominees meet district residency requirements when selecting State Board candidates at party conventions.
  • Prospective State Board candidates: will be required to reside in the district for which they are nominated.
  • State Board of Education: composition will reflect district-based selection rather than purely at-large selection.
  • Governor and State Senate: would gain formal appointment and confirmation roles for the State Superintendent if HJR E is adopted.
  • Voters: ballot choices for State Board members will reflect district-linked selections; any constitutional change requires voter approval.

Timeline & procedural notes

  • HB 4148 introduced 3/10/2025; public hearing and committee substitute considered 4/22/2025; left pending in committee.
  • HJR E requires: (1) legislative approval by two-thirds of each house, then (2) voter approval at the immediately following even-year November election to amend the constitution.
  • HJR E specifies applicability to superintendent appointments on/after Jan 1, 2027.

Fiscal impact

  • Nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency analysis: HB 4148 and HJR E would have no fiscal impact on state government, local school districts, public school academies (PSAs), or intermediate school districts (ISDs).

Sources: bill text (MCL 168.282a/b), House Fiscal Agency analyses (HB 4148 and HJR E).

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

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