HCR 2050
Initials CH Page 1 Appropriations
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
HCR 2050: school districts; expenditure limit; authorization
Sponsor: Representative Gress, LD 4
Committee on Appropriations
Overview
Allows school districts to exceed the aggregate expenditure limitation (AEL) in FY 2024.
History
In 1980, Arizona voters approved Proposition 109, which amended the state Constitution by
creating the AEL for all school districts. The Arizona Constitution and statute detail the formula to
calculate the AEL and procedures if the AEL is exceeded.
Prior to May 1, the Economic Estimates Commission (EEC) must determine the AEL for the
following year. The AEL is calculated by adjusting FY 1980 local revenue expenditures for all
school districts to reflect changes in student population and the cost of living. This amount is then
multiplied by 10%. The state Constitution details the monies, revenues, funds, property and
receipts that comprise local revenues (Ariz. Const. art. 9, sec. 21).
By November 1, the State Board of Education (SBE) must determine the current year aggregate
expenditures of local revenues for all school districts. If this amount exceeds the AEL, two options
may occur. The Legislature may authorize, by March 1, the expenditures of local revenues in
excess of the AEL upon two-thirds approval in both the House of Representatives and Senate. If
the Legislature does not authorize the expenditures of local revenues in excess of the AEL, SBE
must inform each school district, by March 5, of the amount by which the school district must
reduce its expenditures of local revenues. Then, by April 1, each school district governing board
must adopt a revised current year budget that is reduced by the amount determined by SBE
(A.R.S. § 15-911).
The Legislature authorized school districts to spend $1,385,809,642 of local revenues in excess
of the AEL in FY 2023 (HCR 2001).
Provisions
1. Authorizes school districts to spend local revenues in excess of the AEL in FY 2024, subject
to approval by at least two-thirds of the membership of the House of Representatives and
Senate.
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note