Bill > SF2576

This bill modifies the existing Minnesota statute governing building lease aid for charter schools by increasing the maximum per-pupil building lease aid rate from $1,314 to $1,606 and establishing a mechanism for future annual increases. The bill allows charter schools to apply for building lease aid when their operating capital revenue is insufficient to cover facility rental costs, with the commissioner of education reviewing applications based on criteria such as market value reasonableness, legal compliance, and appropriateness of the lease. The legislation maintains existing requirements that lease aid cannot be used for operating expenses like maintenance or utilities, and limits aid to 90 percent of approved costs. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that future building lease aid amounts (starting in fiscal year 2026) will be rounded to the nearest whole dollar and will increase proportionally with increases in the formula allowance for education funding. The building lease aid pupil units continue to be calculated by combining the charter school's total pupil units and any units from students participating in the Postsecondary Enrollment Options program.

Budget and Finance

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2576&ssn=0&y=2025