Bill > HJR45

This Joint Resolution formally expresses the Alaska State Legislature's strong support for fully funding the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a landmark federal law that guarantees public schools provide tailored special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities through a customized roadmap known as an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The resolution points out that while the federal government originally promised to cover 40 percent of the average per-pupil cost for special education when IDEA was enacted, it currently funds only about 13 percent, leaving state and local school districts—particularly in geographically remote areas like Alaska—to shoulder a severe financial burden, struggle with high teacher vacancies, and maintain student waitlists. To address this shortfall, the measure urges the United States Congress to immediately pass federal legislation such as H.R. 2598, known as the "IDEA Full Funding Act," which would incrementally raise federal spending to meet the promised 40 percent funding level by fiscal year 2035, and directs that copies of the resolution be sent to top federal officials, the President, the Secretary of Education, and Alaska's congressional delegation.