Appropriations panel adopts substitutes, hears testimony on National Guard child-care and member-benefit bills

At a meeting of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee, members adopted H-2 substitute language and heard testimony on two budget implementation measures that would create a child-care assistance program for Michigan National Guard members and consolidate existing tuition-assistance funds into a broader member benefit fund.

The committee voted unanimously to adopt the H-2 substitute for Senate Bill 540 and, later, the H-2 substitute for Senate Bill 542. The clerk recorded 25 yeas, 0 nays and 0 passes on both substitute-adoption votes; the chair announced both motions prevailed.

The bills were introduced to the committee as part of a package tied to a House bill that, as the chair described, created a new member benefit fund. Matt Black, chief of staff to Sen. Hertel, told the committee that "these are budget implementation bills" that expand the current tuition-assistance program and "create the childcare assistance program that really allows for childcare to be used during drill weekends and, then their annual drill." He told the committee the assistance "must be provided for up to 12 hours a day, for weekends and annual drill for a maximum of 39 days per year."

Terry Sabo, a department representative, told lawmakers that a recent straw poll estimated "approximately 2,000, give or take" National Guard members could use the benefit. Committee members asked how the program would operate — whether members would be reimbursed, whether providers must be licensed and whether family members could be compensated. Representative Green pressed for details on provider eligibility and reimbursement mechanics.

Department staff and the sponsor’s office said policy details are still being developed. Staff described an intent to provide flexibility to help single parents and dual-military families find child care for weekend drills; they noted licensed child-care options are limited on weekends and that the program may permit compensation to family members. They also said administrative procedures could be further shaped through rulemaking once the program framework is established. Matt Black and a department representative stated the program will use funds already in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs budget and characterized the effort as budget neutral. The testimony named Major General Paul Rogers (Adjutant General) as committed to keeping the program within the department budget.

No final vote on the substantive bills was taken in committee on the day; the committee’s formal actions were adoption of the H-2 substitutes and taking testimony. The committee excused absent members and adjourned with no further business.

The committee record shows the measures remain subject to further policymaking and administrative rule development, including clarifying provider eligibility, reimbursement mechanics and reporting requirements before implementation.