Bill > HB2889

This bill makes several significant changes to Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) program, enhancing transparency, financial oversight, and accountability. The bill requires qualified schools receiving ESA funds to comply with new financial reporting requirements, including providing detailed financial data about their operations, such as student count changes, ability to pay debts, and overall financial performance. The legislation mandates the development of a financial transparency portal to publicly display this information. Additionally, the bill establishes a comprehensive program review process, requiring the Joint Legislative Audit Committee to conduct a review of the ESA program every ten years, which includes a detailed evaluation of the program's effectiveness, efficiency, and whether its original objectives are being met. The auditor general will be tasked with conducting a program performance audit to assess the department's management of the program and its achievement of legislative goals. The bill also adds new provisions for financial accountability, such as requiring qualified schools to report specific financial metrics and allowing for more rigorous monitoring of how ESA funds are spent, including an audit team that will track the percentage of ESA monies spent directly in the classroom. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure proper use of public education funds in the ESA program.

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83362