Expanding student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program, increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program and providing for aggregate tax credit limit increases under certain conditions.
Impact
The bill is expected to have a considerable impact on state education funding and the accessibility of private education options for low-income families. By allowing a broader range of students to access scholarships, it could facilitate increased enrollment in non-public schools and give parents more choices for their children's education. Additionally, the increase in tax credits for contributions could stimulate more donations to scholarship organizations, potentially resulting in more funding for low-income students.
Summary
Senate Bill 87 aims to expand the Kansas tax credit for low-income student scholarship program. It modifies eligibility requirements, allowing students who have not been previously enrolled in public schools to qualify for educational scholarships. The bill also proposes an increase in the tax credit percentages for donations made to scholarship granting organizations, improving the financial incentives for contributions. Over time, the credit percentage will rise from 70% to potentially 100%, depending on the year of contribution, creating a significant financial advantage for taxpayers who contribute to the fund.
Contention
Notably, the bill has faced scrutiny from various education advocacy groups that express concerns about its implications for public education funding. Critics argue that expanding scholarships for private education could divert essential funds away from public schools, thereby undermining public education systems already facing budget constraints. The debate centers around the balance between providing educational options for families and ensuring that public schools remain adequately funded to serve all students.
Providing additional student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program and increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program.
Expanding the tax credit for low income students scholarship program act to allow students enrolled in underperforming school districts to be eligible for a scholarship.
Authorizing students attending public schools with low proficiency scores and certain private elementary and secondary school students to participate in the tax credit for low income students scholarship program.
Removing the Kansas residency requirement for eligibility for a Kansas promise scholarship and modifying the definition of part-time student under such program.
Senate Substitute for HB2645 by Committee on Education - Removing limits on the number and amount of awards under the nursing service scholarship program, modifying the interest rate terms for repayment obligations under such program, abolishing the nursing service scholarship review committee and modifying the financial limitations on awards under the Kansas hero's scholarship act and broadening the eligibility requirements for such awards.
Establishing a scholarship task force to study scholarship programs and creating the Kansas academic excellence scholarship program to replace the Kansas ethnic minority scholarship program.
Increasing the income tax credit amount for adoption expenses and making the credit refundable and increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses.
Increasing the maximum amount of yearly income tax credits available for purchases under the disability employment act from qualified vendors, continuing in existence such credits beyond tax year 2023 of eligible purchases available for such credit and further defining qualifying vendors and employees eligible for the credit, establishing a grant program to facilitate transitions by employers to minimum wage employment for persons with disabilities and creating the Kansas sheltered workshop transition fund.
Increasing the maximum amount of yearly income tax credits available for purchases under the disability employment act from qualified vendors, continuing in existence such credits beyond tax year 2023 of eligible purchases available for such credit and further defining qualifying vendors and employees eligible for the credit, establishing a grant program to facilitate transitions by employers to minimum wage employment for persons with disabilities and creating the Kansas sheltered workshop transition fund.
Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.
Expanding the tax credit for low income students scholarship program act to allow certain high school students and students eligible to be enrolled in certain school districts to be eligible for scholarships, increasing the tax credit for contributions and the aggregate tax credit limit, providing for aggregate tax credit increases under certain conditions and providing for program administration by the state treasurer.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.