Senate Bill No. [number], introduced by D. Emrich at the request of the Education Interim Committee, aims to revise school funding laws in Montana by clarifying the calculations for significant enrollment increases at the budget unit level. The bill amends Section 20-9-166 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to specify that all enrollment increases must be calculated separately for each budget unit of a school district. This change is intended to ensure that districts can accurately assess their eligibility for significant enrollment increase payments based on their October enrollment counts.

Additionally, the bill establishes an effective date of July 1, 2025, and applies to school fiscal years beginning on or after that date. The revisions will allow districts experiencing enrollment increases to receive additional financial support for their general funds, which must be used to address costs associated with the enrollment increase. The superintendent of public instruction will be responsible for notifying districts of their eligibility and the amount of payment they qualify for, ensuring a structured process for budget amendments related to these funds.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-9-166
SB0037_1(1): 20-9-166
SB0037_1(2): 20-9-166
SB0037_1(3): 20-9-166
SB0037_1(4): 20-9-166
SB0037_1(5): 20-9-166
SB0037_1(6): 20-9-166
SB0037_1(7): 20-9-166
SB0037_1(8): 20-9-166
SB0037_1: 20-9-166