May 14, 2026
May 14, 2026
Contact: press@michigan.gov
Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills Expanding Educational Opportunity, Protecting Natural Resources, and Empowering Communities
LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan bills that will erase outdated testing requirements for Michigan students and expand opportunities for communities to preserve, manage, and invest in public forests and recreational spaces. With these bills, Governor Whitmer has signed 1,588 bipartisan bills.
“Every Michigan student deserves a fair shot at success, and every community deserves the tools that help protect the places that make them special,” said Governor Whitmer. “I’m proud to sign another set of bipartisan bills that will reduce the stress placed on students and level the playing field for young Michiganders who are applying to colleges. I’m also proud to sign legislation that will help communities better manage and protect our precious forests and natural resources. Let’s continue working together to support our students and protect the places that make Michigan home.”
House Bill 4556 and 4557, sponsored by state Representatives Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) and Tom Kunse (R-Clare), reduce standardized testing requirements for Michigan students by removing the mandatory essay portion of the Michigan Merit Exam and ending the requirement to place test scores on transcripts, helping to reduce stress, shorten testing time, and give Michigan students more flexibility and fairness when applying to colleges.
“Nearly every Michigan college has test-optional applications, yet Michigan’s students have been required to share their scores even while out-of-state applicants haven’t. These laws even the playing field for Michigan’s students, ensuring they can competitively pursue postsecondary education in their home state,” said state Representative Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth). “Additionally, removing the outdated essay requirement will reduce the length of standardized testing in schools, getting kids back into the classroom sooner for more valuable instruction time with their teachers. At their core, these laws are about reducing unnecessary stress while increasing opportunity for our kids.”
“Reducing the amount of required testing means more time for instruction, hands-on learning, and student development,” said state Representative Tom Kunse (R-Clare). “I'm proud of this bipartisan legislation that puts students first.”
House Bill 4694, 46945, and 4798, sponsored by state Representative Gregory Markkanen (R-Hancock), help Michigan communities create local authorities to manage and protect forests and recreational areas, while also making them eligible for state funding to preserve land and outdoor access.
“I am very grateful for Senate and House support for this legislation that transforms public land management in Keweenaw County. County residents will be directly involved by voting for board members that reflect the priorities of County residents,” said state Representative Gregory Markkanen (R-Hancock). “I would also like to thank Governor Whitmer for signing these bills into law.”
“We’re very appreciative of the legislature and Governor Whitmer for their efforts on this legislation and their support of Keweenaw County,” said Don Piche, chairman of the Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners. “We’re looking forward to working with our community members on next steps to create the Keweenaw Heartlands Community Forest.”
“This legislation makes significant improvements in how Michigan residents and their communities manage their forests and their futures,” said Helen Taylor, state director of The Nature Conservancy in Michigan. “These new measures will have immediate positive impact on the Keweenaw Heartlands effort, providing a path for local decision-making on approximately 21,000 acres of public community forest.”
“I’d like to express my deep gratitude on behalf of our community to our state legislature and our governor for getting this legislation passed,” said Robin Meneguzzo, chief executive officer of the Keweenaw Community Foundation. “Volunteers across our community and our partners have put in many hours, and now we are one step closer to realizing our shared vision of a public community forest in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.”
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