Merit Institute Merit

The Michigan Merit-Based Credentialing Act (MI-ACSA)

Michigan state companion to ACSA. Extends MCL 339.3001 et seq. occupational licensure, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and MCL 206 income-tax credits.

THE MICHIGAN MERIT-BASED CREDENTIALING ACT (MI-ACSA)

Vehicle: State passage. Michigan Legislature, regular session. Primary referral to House / Senate Commerce / Labor / Finance.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the “Michigan Merit-Based Credentialing Act (MI-ACSA).”

SECTION 2. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT

The Legislature finds that Michigan administers occupational licensing through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (“LARA”) under MCL 339.101 et seq.; that MCL 339.3001 et seq. governs boards, credentials, and license portability; that the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (“LEO”) administers workforce training under MCL 408 and Executive Reorganization Order; that the Michigan Community College Association supports 28 community colleges; that Michigan Reconnect provides tuition-free community college under MCL 390.1701 et seq.; and that MCL 206 (Income Tax Act) provides income-tax credits. This Act extends these frameworks.

TITLE I — DEFINITIONS & COORDINATION WITH MICHIGAN LAW

Sec. 101. Definitions

  1. (a) “Michigan Recognized Merit Credential” or “MIRMC” means a competency-based credential designated by the Director of LEO in coordination with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction under Sec. 201.
  2. (b) “Federal FRAC” means a Federally Recognized Alternative Credential under Section 202 of the federal ACSA.
  3. (c) “Covered State licensing authority” means an agency issuing an occupational license under MCL 339.

Sec. 102. Coordination with Existing Michigan Law

  1. (a) Consistent with:
  • MCL 339 (occupational licensing).
  • MCL 408 (labor).
  • MCL 390.1701 et seq. (Michigan Reconnect).
  • MCL 206 (Income Tax Act).

TITLE II — MICHIGAN RECOGNIZED MERIT CREDENTIALS

Sec. 201. Designation Authority

  1. (a) The Director of LEO, in coordination with the State Superintendent, shall maintain a Michigan Recognized Merit Credentials registry (“MIRMC Registry”) in machine-readable form, updated at least annually, crosswalked to Federal FRAC.

Sec. 202. Degree-Optional State Employment

  1. (a) The Michigan Civil Service Commission (Mich. Const. Art. XI Sec. 5) rules shall be applied so that a MIRMC-holder satisfies any position qualification stated in terms of a college degree, unless expressly required by Michigan statute.

TITLE III — TAX INCENTIVE FOR SKILLS-BASED HIRING

Sec. 301. Michigan Skills-Based Hiring Income-Tax Credit

  1. (a) A new credit is added to MCL 206 equal to a percentage of qualified first-year wages paid to a Michigan-resident employee whose qualifying pathway is a MIRMC or Federal FRAC.
  2. (b) Coordinated with federal IRC Sec. 45AA; aggregate cap.
  3. (c) Michigan Department of Treasury administers.

TITLE IV — OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE PORTABILITY

Sec. 401. Licensure by Demonstrated Competency

  1. (a) Demonstrated-competency pathway accepting MIRMC, Federal FRAC, or examination-plus-supervised-experience.

Sec. 402. Interstate Recognition for Federal-Fund Recipients

  1. (a) Recognition by federally-funded authorities, consistent with Section 401 of the federal ACSA.

TITLE V — IMPLEMENTATION & GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Severability

If any provision is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the remainder.

Sec. 502. Effective Date

This Act shall take effect 90 days following enactment, except that Sec. 301 shall apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1 of the year following enactment.

Canonical federal version: ACSA. Other Michigan bills: MI-MEWRA, MI-GT&P, MI-AI-Workforce.