Supplemental Appropriation to the Department of Education-Hope Scholarship Program from Excess Lottery Surplus

HB 5279 redirects $12.66 million in unspent lottery surplus funds to the Hope Scholarship Program for the 2026 fiscal year. This supplemental appropriation directly affects students and families using the Hope Scholarship Program by providing additional funding for educational expenses. The bill uses existing unappropriated lottery revenue (not new taxes) to support the program, as specified in the Governor’s budget document. It does not create new policy or eligibility rules but allocates previously identified surplus funds to an existing scholarship program.