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SB 1165

SB 1165 - This act requires the school board of each school district to establish a policy authorizing students to be excused from class to attend a course in religious or moral instruction taught by an independent entity off school property. Such instruction is defined in the act as a "released time course". The policy shall provide that students may be excused for up to three class periods per week or a maximum of 125 class periods per school year. The student's parent or legal guardian shall provide written consent prior to the student's participation in a released time course. No school district funds, except minimal administrative costs, shall be used, and no school personnel, equipment, or resources shall be involved in providing the instruction. The independent entity offering a released time course shall maintain attendance records and make them available to the school district and its board. Transportation to and from the instruction site shall be the responsibility of the independent entity, the student, or the student's parent or legal guardian. The independent entity or the student's parent or legal guardian shall indemnify and hold the school district harmless regarding any liability arising from student conduct that does not occur on school property under the district's control or supervision, and shall maintain adequate insurance for this purpose. The student shall be responsible for any missed school work. The school district superintendent, principal, or their designees shall have discretion over the scheduling and timing of released time courses, ensuring students are not excused during courses in English language arts, mathematics, science, or U.S. history. The school district, its school board, and the state shall not be liable for students participating in released time courses when the students are not under the district's control or supervision. For purposes of calculating average daily attendance and establishing compliance with the compulsory attendance law, a student attending a released time course shall be considered in attendance in the school district, and the time shall be counted as part of the school day. The school board shall award elective credit for work completed in a released time course, substantiated by a transcript from the independent entity providing the course. The evaluation of the course for credit should be neutral and secular, considering factors including classroom instruction time, course syllabus, assessment methods, and instructor qualifications. The provisions of the act shall not apply to charter schools or to virtual schools. This act is identical to SB 698 (2025) and similar to HB 2157 (2026) and HB 1393 (2025). OLIVIA SHANNON

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Moon

SB 1165 increases Michigan aircraft registration fees to 5 cents per pound and removes the FAA/foreign registration prerequisite to issue a Michigan certificate.

Second Read and Referred S Education Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 1165

SB 1165 — Summary (Aeronautics: aircraft registration fees; modify)

Status / Sponsors
- Bill number: SB 1165 (amends 1945 PA 327, secs. 76 & 77; MCL 259.76 & 259.77)
- Sponsor (Senate): Senator Sarah E. Anthony (introduced Dec. 3, 2024)
- Current referral: Committee on Tax Policy (per provided status)
- Related: companion bill HB 373

Purpose / Intent
- Increase the annual state registration fee for aircraft based in Michigan to raise revenue for the State Aeronautics Fund (SAF) administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and to remove a statutory restriction that currently prevents issuance of a Michigan registration certificate unless an aircraft already holds a valid FAA or foreign registration certificate.

Key provisions
- Fee increase: changes the aircraft registration fee from 1 cent ($0.01) per pound to 5 cents ($0.05) per pound of whichever is greater — maximum gross weight or maximum takeoff weight as certified on the FAA airworthiness certificate (MCL 259.77(5)).
- Example: a 4,000‑lb airplane would pay $40 under current law; under the bill it would pay $200.
- Removes a provision that prohibits issuance of a Michigan registration certificate when the aircraft does not have a “valid and effective” registration certificate from the FAA or a foreign government (amendment to MCL 259.76(1)).
- Retains other registration mechanics:
- Annual registration due on or before Dec. 31; first-time registrations issued after July 1 are charged 50% of the annual fee.
- Registrations expire Jan. 1 each year.
- Registration fee remains in lieu of all aircraft property taxes.
- Penalties for late payment remain: $50 if late up to 1 month, then $5 for each additional month (up to 1 year); postmark counts as payment date; commission may waive penalties for reasonable cause.

Who is affected
- Primary: owners of aircraft that are tied down, moored, hangared, or based in Michigan (private and general aviation operators).
- Exemptions maintained: scheduled passenger service operating exclusively under 14 CFR Part 121, U.S. government aircraft, Civil Air Patrol, aircraft registered to another state and operating in Michigan ≤ 90 days (subject to conditions), and foreign‑licensed aircraft/reciprocals where the statute already provided exemptions.

Fiscal impact
- Estimated state revenue increase: approximately $1.1 million annually directed to the State Aeronautics Fund (SAF).
- Assumes the higher fee is in effect for the full fiscal year; if not, estimated reduction of about $92,600 per month for each month not in effect (assumes even spread of registrations through the year).
- No fiscal impact on local governments (registration continues to be in lieu of property taxes).

Procedural / Timeline highlights
- Introduced in Senate Dec. 3, 2024; reported favorably in committee (committee reports dated Dec. 5 and Dec. 10, 2024); recorded as passed by the Senate Dec. 11, 2024 in some records. As provided in the brief, the bill is currently referred to the Committee on Tax Policy for further consideration.

Implications to watch
- Administrative: MDOT/Aeronautics Commission will collect higher fees and administer any changes in registration procedures resulting from removal of the FAA/foreign registration prerequisite.
- Regulatory/operational: removal of the FAA/foreign registration requirement may allow state registration when federal/foreign registration is not present — potential legal, safety, or enforcement considerations for state registration practice.

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

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