LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan schools impacted by severe winter weather and spring flooding will receive relief after Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation Tuesday forgiving additional school makeup days.
The measure allows eligible school districts in affected counties to waive up to four additional instructional days that were canceled because of extreme weather, flooding, and infrastructure-related emergencies.
The legislation was signed during the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference on Mackinac Island.
In a statement, Whitmer said Michigan families and schools are still recovering from the storms that disrupted communities across the state.
“Michigan families are still feeling the impacts of the severe weather that devastated many of our communities,” Whitmer said. “This bill removes unnecessary penalties on students and schools whose routines were disrupted.”
Whitmer added that she is continuing efforts to secure additional funding to help communities rebuild following the weather disasters.
The bill was sponsored by Parker Fairbairn, a Republican from Harbor Springs, who said schools in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula faced unusually difficult conditions this year.
“Unpredictable and extreme winter weather across Northern Michigan and the U.P. this year created a problematic situation for schools that required quick action from lawmakers,” Fairbairn said. “I’m grateful to see the Governor sign the bill I sponsored to address this difficult situation.”
Senator Ed McBroom ( R-Waucedah Township) said schools and families in his district were relieved to see lawmakers recognize the extraordinary circumstances caused by the storms.
“Our schools and teachers have already worked hard to make up the lost classroom time so that students and families can keep their work and summer plans in place,” McBroom said.
Lawmakers said the bill is intended to provide flexibility for schools that faced repeated closures because of dangerous travel conditions, flooding, and infrastructure damage.
