This bill amends Alaska's education funding laws with a focus on the calculation of Average Daily Membership (ADM) and the allocation of funds for school construction projects. It specifies that students in early education programs will only be counted in a district's ADM if the program is approved by the department, changing the reference from AS 14.17.500 to AS 14.17.600. The bill also outlines maximum funding amounts for school construction based on public school enrollment figures from fiscal years 2000 and 2005, replacing references to the now-repealed AS 14.17.500 with "former AS 14.17.500." Additionally, it introduces provisions for state boarding schools to operate under the same requirements as school districts and modifies funding calculations in cases of school consolidation.

Moreover, the bill establishes new criteria for determining a district's student count, which will now be based on the greater of the district's prior three-year average ADM, the previous year's ADM, or the current year's ADM if it exceeds the previous figures by five percent or more. It also mandates detailed reporting of student count data, including special education students receiving intensive services, to ensure accurate funding allocations. The bill repeals certain existing provisions related to ADM calculations and introduces new definitions and requirements for funding eligibility, while allowing districts to continue using previous methods for calculating ADM until they are no longer eligible, facilitating a smooth transition to the new regulations. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the accuracy and fairness of school funding in Alaska.

Statutes affected:
HB0261A, AM HB 261, introduced 01/16/2026: 14.03.410, 14.17.600, 14.17.500, 14.11.100, 14.16.050, 14.03.030, 14.03.050, 14.03.083, 14.03.140, 14.07.020, 14.12.150, 14.14.050, 14.14.110, 14.14.140, 14.17.505, 14.17.910, 14.14.105, 14.14.107, 14.20.095, 14.20.215, 14.20.280, 14.20.350, 23.40.070, 23.40.260, 14.30.180, 14.30.350, 14.30.360, 14.30.370, 14.30.400, 14.30.410, 14.17.410, 14.17.470, 14.17.450, 14.17.460, 14.17.420, 14.17.430, 14.17.510, 29.45.110, 14.17.905, 14.09.010, 14.17.610, 14.17.990, 14.03.120, 14.03.420, 14.20.020, 14.30.760, 14.30.765, 14.30.770, 14.30.775, 14.30.780, 14.30.800
HB0261B, AM CSHB 261(EDC), introduced 04/01/2026: 14.03.410, 14.17.600, 14.17.500, 14.11.100, 14.16.050, 14.03.030, 14.03.050, 14.03.083, 14.03.140, 14.12.150, 14.14.050, 14.14.110, 14.14.140, 14.17.505, 14.17.910, 14.14.105, 14.14.107, 14.20.095, 14.20.215, 14.20.280, 14.20.350, 23.40.070, 23.40.260, 14.30.180, 14.30.350, 14.30.360, 14.30.370, 14.30.400, 14.30.410, 14.17.410, 14.17.470, 14.17.450, 14.17.460, 14.17.420, 14.17.430, 14.17.510, 29.45.110, 14.17.905, 14.07.020, 14.09.010, 14.17.610, 14.17.990, 14.03.120, 14.03.420, 14.20.020, 14.30.760, 14.30.765, 14.30.770, 14.30.775, 14.30.780, 14.30.800