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A bill was drafted through a collaborative effort of the schools that would allow school districts to use an endowment fund from the sale of forestland on school property that is not otherwise being used by the schools. The principal amount of the funds acquired from the sale would be preserved in perpetuity while the interest income would be used by the schools for education.

"It's hard to say whether or not the concept will move in the Legislature," Hansen said. "We believe that it's a great idea that has potential benefits for all local school districts and are very pleased that Rep. Elsenheimer saw its merits."

Under a program known as "Ought to be a Law," state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer sought ideas from citizens in the 105th District, the district he represents.

The East Jordan Public School District was one of 10 participants chosen out of more than 100 responses.

"It is interesting to see what people are thinking and what is affecting their lives," Elsenheimer said.

"Some of the ideas already are laws and a few are already in the works. Others address things I never would have known about, and that's part of what this program was all about."

The East Jordan school board passed a resolution that supports the forestland proposal. The law that now governs the sale and proceeds distribution of school district forests is Public Act 377 of 2004. It designates that 50 percent of proceeds are retained by the district and 50 percent are sent to the state of Michigan's general fund.

The resolution states that the intent of the Act was to provide schools, and other public agencies, with a vehicle for creating a more useful purpose for parcels of forestland that no longer serve the purpose for which they were originally intended, while also providing a one- time source of income for the public agency and the state.

The board resolution states that as Public Act 377 of 2004 stands, it is a disincentive for schools to convey forestland because the law provides for one-time only economic benefits.

The school district's proposal revises Act 377 to allow schools to deposit all proceeds from the conveyance of forestland into a permanent endowment fund. The principal sum would be held in perpetuity, but the interest income generated off of the principal amount would provide the school district with supplemental revenues for educational needs. The district would retain 100 percent of the proceeds.

This would ensure a long-term financial benefit for the schools, Hansen said, and would create a more useful purpose for the forestland that is not being used by the schools.

Each state House lawmaker may submit five bill requests per month, so Elsenheimer is having the new bills drafted for introduction possibly in November and December.

The participants selected to have their ideas put into the legislative process may be called on to give background testimony on their bill before a House committee in Lansing.

Ideas from others who will have their proposals introduced in the state Legislature include a proposal to make all state boat launch sites free of charge, a proposal that would require welfare recipients to pass drug tests and a proposal to make illegal aliens ineligible from receiving free medical care, welfare or other in-state benefits such as education tuition breaks.