This bill introduces several changes to the existing laws regarding financial reporting and grants for public education. Firstly, it removes the requirement for public academies to file financial reports with the department of education. It also amends the law to allow for adequacy grants for municipalities where all school districts provide education by paying tuition to other institutions, with the grant amount being the lesser of two specific calculations. Additionally, the bill requires school districts to post mandatory reports of school expenses, including average cost per pupil, average teacher salaries, and top administrator salaries, and establishes a civil remedy for enforcing this requirement.

The bill specifies the details of the mandatory reports, including the format, content, and posting requirements. It also outlines the civil remedies available to taxpayers who are aggrieved by a violation of the reporting requirements, including the possibility of declaratory, injunctive, or other equitable relief, as well as the award of reasonable attorney’s fees for prevailing taxpayers. The bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the new subdivision is found invalid, the remaining provisions will still be enforceable. The effective dates for the different sections of the act are staggered, with the mandatory reporting requirements taking effect on July 1, 2025, and the remainder of the act becoming effective on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 198:4-f, 198:41
As Amended by the Senate: 198:4-f, 198:41
Version adopted by both bodies: 198:4-f, 198:41
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 198:4-f, 198:41