Bill > H5399

This bill allows school districts to opt out of spending money on state-mandated educational requirements that are not fully funded through the state education aid formula, starting July 1, 2026. Specifically, the bill defines a "mandate" as any rule, regulation, or policy implemented by the department of elementary and secondary education that requires a school district to take or not take an action and requires expenditure of funds without corresponding state funding. School districts choosing to not spend money on unfunded mandates must submit a written notice to the department by August 31st of the fiscal year, detailing the specific mandate and the total dollar amount saved. Importantly, the bill ensures that school districts will not be penalized or have their state aid reduced for choosing not to fund these mandates. This legislation aims to provide financial flexibility to school districts by allowing them to avoid spending their own resources on state-imposed requirements that do not come with adequate state funding support.

Budget and Finance

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