EDUCATION TRUST AMENDMENTS H.B. 5783: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 5783 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Gene DeRossett
House Committee: Tax Policy
Senate Committee: Finance
Date Completed: 8-4-04
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Education Trust (MET) Act to allow local governments and charitable organizations to enter into MET contracts and exempt certain information from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
The MET Act allows individuals to enter into a contract with the Trust for the advance payment of tuition for qualified beneficiaries to attend a State institution of higher education, without further tuition costs to the beneficiary. The program generally does not cover certain required fees, room, board, and books.
The Act requires that a contract between the MET and a purchaser must specify the name and age of the qualified beneficiary. Under the bill, an exception from the requirement would be added for contracts purchased by a state or local governmental agency or an institution or person exempt from taxation under 501 (c)(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, as part of a scholarship program.
The bill would exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act any writing or information provided to the trust for the purposes of contracting for payment by a purchaser, qualified beneficiary, or person appointed on behalf of the purchaser or qualified beneficiary. "Writing" would mean that term as defined in Section 2 of the Freedom of Information Act (which defines writing as: handwriting, typewriting, printing, photostating, photographing, photocopying, and every other means of recording, and includes letters, words, pictures, sounds, or symbols, or combinations thereof, and papers, maps, magnetic or paper tapes, photographic films or prints, microfilm, microfiche, magnetic or punched cards, discs, drums, or other means of recording or retaining meaningful content).
MCL 390.1426 - 390.1428 Legislative Analyst: J.P. Finet
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Bill Bowerman
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5783/0304