relative to the special education aid formula and the administration and monitoring of state special education aid.

The bill's status label changed from 'As Amended by the House' to 'Version Adopted by Both Bodies,' indicating it passed both chambers in its final form.

A new date entry (4Jun2026, 9:40 PM) was added to record when the bill was formally adopted by both legislative bodies.

The threshold for a student to qualify for special education aid was lowered from 3.5 times the state average expenditure per pupil to 2.5 times, meaning more students and districts will become eligible for state aid starting FY2029.

The district's financial responsibility was restructured from fixed dollar amounts ($50,000 base, then 90% up to $60,000, 20% up to $200,000, 10% above) into a tiered formula based on multiples of the state average: district pays 100% up to 2.5x, 85% from 2.5x-3.5x, 20% from 3.5x-10x, and 10% above 10x.

The state's financial responsibility was restructured into a matching tiered formula: state pays 15% from 2.5x-3.5x, 80% from 3.5x-10x, and 90% above 10x the state average expenditure per pupil.

The annual 2% adjustment to formula costs (previously effective July 1, 2028) was removed entirely.

The provision requiring the state to distribute at least 90% of a district's entitlement starting FY2029 (up from 80%) was removed; only the 80% minimum proration protection remains.

A new legislative intent section was added stating the goal is to reduce administrative burden on school districts and the department, expedite reimbursement of state aid, and ensure appropriate stewardship through a risk-based monitoring methodology.

School districts seeking special education aid reimbursements must now submit a certified report for each student for whom reimbursement is requested.

The new formula structure is explicitly tied to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2029 (based on school year 2027-2028 costs) and applies to each fiscal year thereafter.

The per-pupil cost threshold at which a district becomes eligible for special education aid was lowered from $60,000 to $50,000.

A new cost-sharing tier was created: between $50,000 and $60,000 per pupil, the district pays 90% and the state pays 10%. Previously the district paid a flat $60,000 before sharing began.

The $160,000 per-pupil cap on total special education aid reimbursement by the department of education was removed.

The minimum proration guarantee when funds are insufficient was raised from 80% to 90% of a district's entitlement, effective July 1, 2029 and each year thereafter.

Starting July 1, 2028 and annually thereafter, the department of education must increase all formula cost thresholds by 2 percent to account for inflation.

Eligibility language changed from 'eligible to apply for reimbursement' to 'eligible for special education aid,' and the offset requirement now specifies offsets applied by the district for the benefit of the student in addition to other revenue sources.

The old sub-paragraph listing ineligible costs (classroom maintenance, basic supplies, routine transportation) was removed and replaced with a requirement that all claimed services be specified and documented in an IEP and tied to the child's disability-related needs.

Districts must now demonstrate they fully accessed other available revenue sources including Medicaid and private insurance, or provide documentation explaining why those sources were unavailable.