Bill > S0448

This bill modifies the Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act by removing certain funding prorating requirements for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Specifically, the bill eliminates language that would require DESE to proportionally distribute available funds among eligible school districts when total approved costs exceed the appropriated funding amount. These changes affect several categorical funding areas, including special education excess costs, career and technical education, out-of-district non-public school transportation, regional school district transportation, and school resource officer reimbursements. The bill also removes a provision that previously specified how categorical programs would be funded during a transition period. By removing these prorating provisions, the bill appears to provide more flexibility in how education funding is allocated, potentially allowing the department to handle funding shortfalls differently or potentially signaling a change in how education funding will be managed in the future. The bill will take effect immediately upon passage.

Budget and Finance

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