Bill
HB 4147
Expands 11x grants to cover feasibility studies of administrative and service consolidations (e.g., food service, janitorial), retroactive to 2022–23.
Status & timeline
- Introduced in the Michigan House by Rep. Donni Steele (filed Feb 26, 2025 / documented Mar 10, 2025).
- Reported by the House Education & Workforce Committee (recommendation without amendment; committee analysis complete 3-20-25).
- Passed the Michigan House with immediate effect (March 20, 2025; Roll Call #45 — Yeas 97, Nays 8).
- Referred to Committee on Education (next legislative steps for consideration beyond the House).
Purpose / intent
- To clarify and expand the allowable uses of grants made under section 11x of the State School Aid Act (the 2022–23 school consolidation grant program) by explicitly permitting studies of consolidation for certain administrative and service functions. The change is retroactive to the 2022–23 budget year.
Key provisions
- Amends Sec. 11x (MCL 388.1611x) to expressly allow grant funds to pay for feasibility studies that include:
- Administrative functions (explicitly including those performed by superintendents).
- Service functions, including examples of:
- Food services.
- Janitorial and maintenance services.
- Reiterates existing program structure:
- Grants available to local school districts and intermediate school districts (ISDs).
- Total allocation (for 2022–23) not to exceed $5,000,000.
- Individual grant awards capped at $250,000 and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Grant recipients must make study results available to included districts within 30 days and post results on a public website within 60 days of completion.
- ISD grant applicants must describe plans to meet with constituent districts to discuss results and implement feasible changes.
- Links to infrastructure funding: districts must permit facility condition assessments under Sec. 11y to be eligible for any later infrastructure project funding from the school consolidation and infrastructure fund.
Who is affected
- Local school districts and intermediate districts in Michigan (including public school academies where applicable) that apply for or receive 11x consolidation grants.
- District administrators (e.g., superintendents) and operations staff in areas identified for consolidation (food service, custodial/maintenance, other administrative functions).
Fiscal impact
- House Fiscal Agency concludes no fiscal impact to the state, local districts, PSAs, or ISDs from the bill’s clarification of allowable study uses.
Support / positions
- Support reported from: Michigan Department of Education, Great Lakes Education Project, Oakland Schools (as of 3-12-25).
Related/companion legislation
- SB 2916 (companion)
- HB 50 (companion)
Implications
- The amendment clarifies permissible study topics, potentially broadening the scope of consolidation analyses districts may pursue with 11x grant funds—supporting local efforts to identify administrative and service consolidations that could increase efficiency or reduce costs.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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