This bill seeks to improve education funding in Minnesota by increasing various financial aids and allowances for school districts. Key provisions include raising the general education basic formula allowance, special education cross subsidy aid, English learner cross subsidy aid, and safe schools revenue. The bill also proposes to link extended time revenue to the general education basic formula allowance and increase equalization aid for debt service levies, local optional revenue, and operating referendums. Additionally, it allows school boards to renew voter-approved operating referendums multiple times and modifies the calculation of compensatory revenue eligibility based on direct certification and educational benefits applications.

The bill includes several amendments to existing statutes, such as adjusting equalized debt service levy calculations and establishing new percentages for English learner cross subsidy aid and cross subsidy reduction aid. It specifies effective dates for these changes, primarily targeting fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and introduces new appropriations for the Department of Education to support these funding increases. Notably, the bill includes new language regarding unemployment aid for hourly workers, which will be available for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, ensuring financial support for school employees facing unemployment during the summer months.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 123B.53, 124D.65, 125A.76, 126C.10, 126C.17, 126C.44