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HB 4794

Elections: school; requirement for community college board of trustee members to file an acceptance of office; eliminate. Amends secs. 156 & 157 of 1966 PA 331 (MCL 389.156 & 389.157). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4793'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Hoadley and 3 co-sponsors

Keeps filing an oath, acceptance, and eligibility affidavit for new community college trustees within 15 days, maintaining vacancies for failure to file.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS AND ETHICS
#education:boardmembers #elections:school #highereducation:communitycolleges
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Bill Summary · HB 4794

Summary — HB 4794 (Community College Act amendments)

Status: Passed House (with substitute H‑1) Oct. 23, 2025; referred to Committee on Elections and Ethics (Oct. 28, 2025). Introduced by Rep. Angela Rigas. Amends: 1966 PA 331, sections 156 and 157 (MCL 389.156 & 389.157). Tie‑bar: This bill’s enactment is conditioned on enactment of HB 4793.

Main purpose / intent

HB 4794 concerns the formalities community college board trustees must complete after appointment or election. The bills in this package were described in committee reports as intended to eliminate statutory requirements that appointed or elected school and community college board members file an “acceptance of office” (and related affidavits) before serving. The bill as reported and passed in the House (substitute H‑1), however, retains statutory language requiring trustees to file specified documents.

Key provisions (what the bill changes)

  • Amends MCL 389.156 and 389.157 (Community College Act of 1966).
  • Filing timeframe: continues to require each person elected or appointed to a community college board to file with the board secretary the oath of office and the acceptance of office, accompanied by a written affidavit establishing eligibility, not later than 15 days after appointment or after the election’s final canvass (language in substitute H‑1).
  • Oath: preserves the statutory oath/affirmation to support the U.S. and Michigan constitutions and faithfully discharge duties.
  • Vacancies (MCL 389.157): retains the list of circumstances that cause an immediate vacancy, including refusal or neglect to file the acceptance of office or to take and file the oath within the prescribed time.
  • Enacting condition: the act “does not take effect” unless HB 4793 of the 103rd Legislature is also enacted (tie‑bar).

Note on legislative drafting: committee analyses and early summaries stated the bills would eliminate the acceptance‑of‑office filing requirement. The substitute (H‑1) text reported and adopted by the House, however, retains the filing and affidavit requirements as described above.

Who is affected

  • Primary: individuals elected or appointed to boards of trustees of Michigan community college districts (procedural filing requirements and potential vacancy consequences).
  • Secondary: community college boards and secretaries responsible for receiving filings.
  • Fiscal: House Fiscal Agency estimates no fiscal impact on the state or on community colleges.

Procedural/timeline aspects

  • Filed: March 13, 2025 (with later bill text activity Aug. 21, 2025).
  • Committee activity: reported with substitute (H‑1) Sept. 30, 2025.
  • House: substitute adopted Oct. 22, 2025; passed by the House Oct. 23, 2025 (Roll Call #266 — 105‑0, immediate effect).
  • Post‑House: referred to Committee on Elections and Ethics Oct. 28, 2025.
  • Condition: Enactment is contingent on HB 4793 being enacted (tie‑bar).

Fiscal and stakeholder positions

  • Fiscal impact: none reported for state or community colleges.
  • Support noted in committee materials: Michigan Department of State; Promote the Vote; Pure Integrity for Michigan Elections; Michigan Community College Association (specifically indicated support for HB 4794).

If you want, I can produce a side‑by‑side comparison of current statute vs. the substitute H‑1 text or a plain‑language checklist trustees must follow under the bill as passed by the House.

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

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