Section 388.1698d - Northern Michigan University; Michigan Learning Channel (MLC)(1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated under section 11, there is allocated for 2024-2025 only an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.00 to Northern Michigan University to support the MLC as described in this section. Northern Michigan University shall not retain any portion of the funding received under this section for administrative purposes and shall provide funding to support the MLC. All of the following apply to the MLC: (a) The MLC must expand literacy programming over the air, online, and in communities that is aligned with this state's pre-K to 12 educational standards.(b) The MLC shall provide over the air broadcasts 24 hours each day for 7 days each week of quality instructional content that is aligned with this state's pre-K to 12 educational standards. Over-the-air broadcasts as described in this subdivision must be streamed live and must be archived for on-demand viewing on a companion website, along with additional learning materials relevant to lessons.(c) The MLC must be managed and operated by DPTV, and DPTV shall assume all risk, liability, and responsibility for the MLC in accordance with regulations by the United States Federal Communications Commission, PBS broadcast standards, and standard nonprofit business standards. DPTV shall serve as the fiduciary agent and service manager for the MLC. The MLC shall originate from a central operations center that is responsible for providing the infrastructure, content, and engagement of the MLC in partnership with this state's educational leadership organizations.(d) The MLC shall require that DPTV provide technology, funding, staff training, and central management of the MLC to station partners to insert additional channels into each station's broadcast streams and to support staffing and engagement as outlined in a memorandum of understanding among the stations.(e) The MLC shall require that DPTV partner with at least 5 other Michigan public television stations, including, but not limited to, WKAR, WGVU, WDCQ, WCMU, and WNMU, to deliver the over-the-air MLC broadcasts described in this section and to support engagement with local educators. Stations described in this subdivision must be able to use the infrastructure provided by the MLC to develop their own local content that best serves their communities.(f) The MLC shall not use the funds received from Northern Michigan University under this section in support of the MLC for any purposes fully funded by the governor's emergency education relief fund grant.(2) By not later than February 1, 2025, the MLC shall provide a report to the house and senate appropriations subcommittees responsible for school aid, the house and senate fiscal agencies, and the state budget director detailing the MLC's compliance with ensuring that conditions listed under subsection (1) were met.(3) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section by not later than December 1, 2024.(4) As used in this section:(a) "DPTV" means Detroit Public Television.(b) "MLC" means the Michigan Learning Channel.Amended by 2024, Act 120,s 102, eff. 10/1/2024.Added by 2023, Act 103,s 141, eff. 10/1/2023.Repealed. 2022, Act 144, Eff. 10/1/2022.