This bill amends Section 20-9-306 of the Montana Code Annotated to apply inflationary adjustments to various components of the school funding formula. Key changes include updated monetary amounts for the basic entitlement, per-ANB entitlements, and various payments related to quality educators, at-risk students, and special education. For instance, the basic entitlement for school districts with an Average Number Belonging (ANB) of 800 or fewer is adjusted to $375,333 for fiscal year 2026, while the per-ANB entitlement rates are also increased for subsequent fiscal years. Additionally, the bill introduces new inflation-adjusted figures for payments related to American Indian achievement gaps and special education allocations.

The bill establishes an effective date of July 1, 2025, and specifies that the new provisions will apply to school fiscal years beginning on or after this date. This legislative change aims to ensure that school funding keeps pace with inflation, thereby supporting the financial needs of Montana's public education system.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-9-306