This bill restructures the School Finance Accountability Board by clarifying its powers to reduce school funding, impose penalties on districts that don't follow budget rules, and waive those penalties if districts face special circumstances. The changes specify that the board can now require accreditation reviews and condition any funding waivers on the district meeting certain ongoing requirements. Overall, the bill gives the board more detailed authority to enforce school finance accountability while providing a clearer process for districts to request relief.
The amendment significantly restructures the School Finance Accountability Board's authority by replacing a system where the board makes recommendations subject to legislative committee approval with a direct board authority system where the board itself can reduce state aid, impose penalties, require accreditation reviews, and grant waivers based on specified conditions. This STRENGTHENS the board's independent power while narrowing the legislature's oversight role by eliminating the requirement for the Joint Committee on Appropriations to review and approve recommended waivers.
The amendment significantly restructures the School Finance Accountability Board's authority by removing the requirement for legislative committee approval of waivers and instead granting the board direct power to reduce state aid, impose penalties, require accreditation reviews, or waive penalties based on special circumstances—STRENGTHENING the board's independent authority while eliminating the legislative oversight mechanism that previously allowed the Joint Committee on Appropriations to suggest changes and approve or deny recommended waivers.
Signed by the Governor H.J. 580
Delivered to the Governor H.J. 562
Signed by the President S.J. 526
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 553
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0. S.J. 497
Education Do Pass Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 2. S.J. 17
Education Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Education S.J. 398
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 61, NAYS 5. H.J. 423
Committee on Appropriations Certified uncontested, placed on consent H.J. 2
Committee on Appropriations Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 0. H.J. 2
Committee on Appropriations Motion to amend H.J. 1
Committee on Appropriations Scheduled for hearing
House of Representatives Referred to House Committee on Appropriations H.J. 223
First Reading House H.J. 193
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Cosponsors
Do Pass Amended
Education — Do Pass
Do Pass Amended
Committee on Appropriations — Do Pass Amended