SR79INTRODUCED Page 0 SR79 6QKE3Z3-1 By Senator Orr RFD: First Read: 07-May-24 1 2 3 4 5 6QKE3Z3-1 05/02/2024 JC (L)PMG 2024-1719 Page 1 First Read: 07-May-24 SR____ ESTABLISHING A LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMISSION TO STUDY K-12 SCHOOL EDUCATION FUNDING. WHEREAS, On April 30, 2024, the Governor signed SJR61, enacted as Act 2024-128, requiring the Legislature of Alabama to conduct a study on modernizing K-12 education funding; and WHEREAS, Act 2024-128 provides compelling reasons that justify the need for a legislative study on modernizing K-12 education funding, including a need for greater flexibility in the coordination of state education funding priorities with the local needs of students, teachers, and administrators, and whether this need could be better served by transitioning from a resource-based funding model to one that is student-based and provides greater flexibility; and WHEREAS, this body finds that the members of the Finance and Taxation Education Standing Committee of the Senate, along with members of the Ways and Means Education Standing Committee of the House of Representatives, are in the best position to undertake this study; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the Legislative Study Commission on Modernizing K-12 School Education Funding is created to study modernizing the current K-12 school funding model. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 SR79 INTRODUCED Page 2 study modernizing the current K-12 school funding model. (a) The Legislative Study Commission on Modernizing K-12 School Education Funding shall be comprised of all members of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Standing Committee, along with all members of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Education Standing Committee. (b) The legislative study commission shall focus on the possibility of transitioning from a resource-based model of education funding to a model that provides greater flexibility and is based on the specific needs of students. The work of the legislative study commission may include, but not be limited to: (1) Studying the projected costs and budget impact of a transition. (2) Studying the associated changes in the tax and revenue framework that may be required to fund and maintain a transition. (3) Studying the changes in law required to adopt a model of student-based education funding. (4) If a specific pathway to modernize education school funding is endorsed by the legislative study commission, developing proposed legislation to effect the transition. (c) The chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Standing Committee shall serve as a cochair along with the chair of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Education Standing Committee. Meetings shall be held at the call of either cochair as necessary to conduct business. 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 SR79 INTRODUCED Page 3 business. (d) The Fiscal Division of the Legislative Services Agency, the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and the Secretary of the Senate shall provide administrative and other assistance for the work of the legislative study commission as necessary. (e) Pursuant to Section 36-14-17.1, Code of Alabama 1975, the Legislative Study Commission on Modernizing K-12 School Education Funding shall provide to the Secretary of State a notice of all meetings, the name of each member serving on the legislative study commission, and a copy of all reports and written recommendations produced throughout the duration of the legislative study commission. (f) Members of the legislative study commission shall be entitled to their legislative compensation, per diem, and travel expenses for each day they attend a meeting of the legislative study commission pursuant to Section 49 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022. (g) The Legislative Study Commission on Modernizing K-12 School Education Funding shall prepare a report of its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for any proposed legislation, as it deems appropriate, to the Legislature no later than February 1, 2025, at which time the legislative study commission shall stand dissolved and discharged of any future duties. 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80