House Rules Committee reports bill to allow dual enrollment at trade schools

The Michigan House Rules Committee on a voice/roll vote reported House Bill 4154 with a recommendation after hearing testimony that the bill would extend dual-enrollment benefits to trade and vocational schools not affiliated with a community college or intermediate school district.

Dan McMaster, staff for Representative Bagole, told the committee the bill “amends the post secondary enrollment options act to include trade schools as an option for dual enrollment.” He said the change would let students begin vocational training — sometimes a semester or a year early — and earn certificates in programs such as welding, culinary arts, boat-building repair and building and construction training.

McMaster gave local examples, including a Michigan Laborers Institute near I-69 in Perry, a welding school in Alma, and vocational programs in the Upper Peninsula. He said the credits could lead to certificates rather than traditional degrees.

Representative Martin moved to report House Bill 4154 with recommendation. The clerk called the roll; the chair announced the motion carried with five yeas, no nays and two members absent. The transcript records Chair Schutte, Representative Aragona, Representative Wenzel, Representative Martin and Representative DeBoer among those participating in the roll call. The Department of Education had been invited to testify but did not appear, and Representative Bagole was serving in another committee; McMaster testified as Bagole’s staffer.

Earlier in the meeting Representative Wenzel moved to adopt the March 6 minutes; the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.

The bill was reported with recommendation; the committee did not specify a floor date or additional committee referrals in the recorded testimony.