The bill SB1503 aims to declare the Arizona Legislature's intent that the appropriations made for remedial education at Dine College, Tohono O'odham Community College, and San Carlos Apache College in the FY 2024 General Appropriation Act be considered ongoing funding in future years. Currently, the appropriations for these colleges total $5,000,000 from the state General Fund, with specific allocations of $1,000,000 for Dine College, $2,000,000 for Tohono O'odham Community College, and $2,000,000 for San Carlos Apache College.
The new language in the bill emphasizes that these appropriations should be recognized as ongoing funding, which is a shift from the current understanding that they may only be for the fiscal year 2024. This change would ensure that the funding is sustained in subsequent years, providing stability for the remedial education programs at these tribal colleges.