HB 246 increases the statutory minimum annual funding allocation for Alaska’s Special Education Service Agency (SESA). The bill amends AS 14.30.650 to require the Department of Education and Early Development to allocate to the agency at least $26.89 per student in the state’s average daily membership from the prior fiscal year, up from $23.13 per student. The allocation remains subject to annual legislative appropriation, and if appropriated funds are insufficient, the amount must be reduced pro rata.
The bill also adds retroactivity language making the change effective July 1, 2026, and sets the overall effective date for the act as July 1, 2026. In practical terms, the measure updates the formula used to fund a statewide special education support agency and ties the increase to student enrollment figures used elsewhere in state education finance.
Impact
HB 246 directly amends Alaska statute AS 14.30.650, increasing the minimum per-student funding formula for the Special Education Service Agency and thereby raising the baseline state obligation for this program beginning in fiscal year 2027, subject to appropriation. The bill affects the Department of Education and Early Development, the legislature’s annual budgeting process, and the agency that provides special education services and support statewide. Because the statute still allows pro rata reduction if funds are insufficient, the bill increases the authorized allocation without guaranteeing full funding absent legislative appropriations.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong, unanimous support for the bill in both chambers: it passed the House 39-0 and the Senate 20-0. No committee transcripts were provided, but the final votes indicate broad bipartisan agreement and little visible opposition. The overall sentiment appears favorable, likely reflecting consensus support for special education funding.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. The only potential policy issue inherent in the bill is the increase in the per-student funding floor, which could affect the state budget and annual appropriations process. However, the unanimous votes suggest that any concerns about cost or budget impact were not significant enough to generate recorded opposition.