Transcript Highlights:

• of the bonds, the total debt service would be $32 million a year.
• which would be fiscal 28 The Debt which would be fiscal 28 The Debt Service<00:26:44.559> would
• <00:26:50.600> Service 29 um the total amount of Debt Service 29 um the total amount of Debt
• <00:29:45.240> service confirm what would be the debt service confirm what would be the debt
• Roughly $30 million of debt service. Thank you, Chair.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The most common type of TIF debt is pay-as-you-go notes.
• And so it makes up about 10% of TIF debt.
• with other debt being less common. with other debt being less common.
• <00:43:07.600> to increment, but you still have debt to increment, but you still have debt
• excess increment to pay that debt.'" excess increment to pay that debt.'"

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• debt might be a disincentive for another community to want to merge with them, right?
• <00:09:30.280> program construction and school debt program construction and school debt program
• and<00:10:27.040> that<00:10:27.320> district<00:10:27.720> debt<00:10:28.360><
• covering district debt covering district debt that<00:10:55.040> was<00:10:55.200> taken
• um into the future so that that debt um into the future so that that debt will<00:11:00.880>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The caucus of the whole received an update from Representative Kornheiser on House Bill 955, focusing on the Ways and Means amendment and how it aligns with Act 73 and the House Education Committee’s broader education transformation work. She said the amendment was assembled from separate pieces developed earlier in the session and covers three main areas: planned property tax updates, steps needed for the future education finance system and foundation formula, and policy changes to support collaborative education service agencies and district mergers. She emphasized that the bill is aimed at the future state of the system, with many provisions tied to later effective dates and pending reports. Kornheiser described the property tax provisions as further defining the new non-homestead/second-home classification so the Tax Department can continue form development and data collection before rates are set, and she said the bill also advances regional assessment districts and a more regular reappraisal cycle. On education finance, she said the amendment adds school construction and school debt provisions, reserve guidance, pre-K funding study language, special education funding protections, and transportation-related follow-up work so those pieces can fit the foundation formula. She also framed the bill as reducing cost drivers in the system, citing health care savings, reference-based pricing, mental health coordination, special education scale, deferred maintenance, and larger-scale school organization. During questions, members asked about merger support funding, transportation timelines, private equity ownership of school transportation, tuition restrictions for approved independent and public schools, and the timing and finality of the second-home tax definitions. Staff explained that merger support would be reimbursed through AOE for committee expenses and would not count against excess spending thresholds, that transportation and other grant categories will be addressed in future reports and decisions, and that the transportation study does not explicitly name private equity but could encompass staffing and cost issues. They also confirmed that the tuition-related provisions apply to approved independent, in-state public, and out-of-state public schools receiving tuition, but only when the foundation formula takes effect. No votes were taken during the caucus; the update was informational, with the bill noted as having been referred to Appropriations and expected to come up for action later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• authorized total debt capacity, up to $50 million.
• <00:08:48.440> service investment bonding our our debt service investment bonding our our
• debt service limit<00:08:49.279> that<00:08:49.440> way<00:08:49.920> they're<00
• about $9.9 please currently uh there's about $9.9 million<00:09:56.160> of<00:09:56.320> debt
• to the state it by law it's not a debt to the state it still<00:13:32.600> does<00:13:32.920>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I love that school districts, unlike our cities and counties, they have to go to the voters to get debt
• Unlike our cities and counties, they have to go to the voters to get debt approved.
• versus some of our other entities that can issue debt through certificates of obligation.
• So it's a very... ...debt through certificates of obligation.
• We are all about transparency, especially on something as important as bond debt.

Summary: The Senate Education K-16 Committee heard several bills focused on school finance, transparency, student safety, and educator misconduct. SB 843 by Senator Kolkhorst would create a centralized TEA database for school bond elections, tax rates, and project details; supporters said it would improve transparency for taxpayers, while members discussed the fiscal note and suggested adding charter schools. SB 1224 by Senator Sparks would require superintendents to report alleged romantic, sexual, or abusive conduct between staff and students directly to law enforcement within 48 hours, with penalties for failure to report; testimony from advocates and survivors strongly supported the bill and urged that it also apply to private and charter schools. SB 747 by Senator Paxton on behalf of Senator King would require school district policies addressing AI-generated sexually explicit images of minors as cyberbullying and direct the School Safety Center to develop guidance; the committee heard emotional testimony from a student victim and discussed school authority to discipline off-campus conduct and the role of cell phones. The committee also heard SB 1636 by Senator Hinojosa, which would limit use of interest and sinking tax revenues to debt service for voter-approved capital projects and not deferred maintenance; school finance witnesses raised concerns that the bill’s language could restrict needed facility maintenance spending and asked for a clearer definition of deferred maintenance. SB 2185, also by Senator Hinojosa, would expand access to the bilingual education allotment for dual-language programs; district officials and educators testified in support, saying it would remove barriers to funding and better support bilingual instruction. SB 604 by Senator West would require the Permanent School Fund Corporation to publicly track bonds backed by the state guarantee program that are downgraded to speculative or junk status, with West arguing the information would provide an early warning sign of district financial distress. Across the hearing, much of the testimony centered on student protection and accountability in schools. Multiple witnesses described educator misconduct cases, failures to report abuse, and the need for outside law enforcement involvement rather than internal district investigations. Committee members repeatedly discussed extending reporting and safety requirements to private and charter schools, and several witnesses urged independent oversight. No bills were voted out; each measure heard was left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, that makes it a lot easier for New Mexico to issue debt and to take on debt as well.
• And so that's what this does; it's a debt program.
• We have some flexible debt, along with some non-traditional equity programs.
• So, the debt we expect to see sooner.
• Madam Chair, we have two debt programs in here, and the rest are all equity investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• that supports student loan debt that supports student loan debt Counseling<00:08:47.399> in
• debt specifically around um student loan debt repayment<00:09:02.079> um<00:09:02.399> in<
• reduce the debt um the student loan debt reduce the debt um the student loan debt of<00:26:26.960
• They have to have incurred debt.
• They have to have incurred debt.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have very little disposable income to pay debt collectors.
• It says debit relief; that should say debt relief.
• When it comes to coerced debt, that's specifically debt that was taken out under duress, harassment,
• Fraudulent debt refers more specifically to instances where the debt was taken out using the survivor's
• That means that my wife is responsible for my debts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thus, we did not have any collection on this debt.
• Our recommendations here are recover the debt and improve internal controls.
• They have a policy that states that debt that is less than $25 can be written off.
• management and budget a provider debt management and budget a provider debt balance<00:29:33.320
• :12.559> our have any collection on this debt our have any collection on this debt our recommendations

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met on January 22, 2025, to focus early in session on waste, fraud, abuse, and program integrity in Minnesota human services programs. The chair said taxpayers expect funds to reach people in need and asked the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) to present on resources, progress, and possible solutions. Members also asked the auditors to note where the legislature or agencies had already taken action to address prior findings. OLA staff summarized recent reports on grants management and oversight. They said noncompliance with grants policies has been pervasive across agencies, including problems at DHS in conflict-of-interest documentation and pre-award financial reviews. In one DHS review, 30 of 41 grant reviewers had missing or incomplete conflict forms, and 20 of 57 grants lacked required financial review documents; the issues affected about $11.5 million in grant funding. OLA said DHS spent more than $400 million in grants to nonprofit organizations from 2018 to 2022, and they identified broader factors affecting compliance such as inconsistent funding for grants administration, ad hoc training, inconsistent data systems, and limited enforcement authority. They noted 2023 legislative changes that allowed agencies to retain some grant funding for administration and directed an assessment of a statewide grants management system, and they said OGM training and staffing have increased, though training is still not required for all staff. The Financial Audit Division then discussed the senior nutrition program at DHS, which delivered about 3.1 million meals to more than 40,000 participants in 2022 through the Minnesota Board on Aging, area agencies, service providers, and subcontractors. The audit found nine findings across documentation, monitoring, contract oversight, participant recertification, and data quality. Examples included service providers failing to recertify participants or recording inaccurate data, the Board on Aging not performing monitoring visits since 2017 or financial reconciliations in 2022, and area agencies failing to complete required site visits. Survey results also suggested participant database inaccuracies. OLA recommended stronger monitoring, clearer procedures, and more reliable data to ensure services reach intended recipients. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's debt prohibition, so systems are barred from taking on any new debt unless it's specifically
• As this is the money not reported, kind of where they're holding on to debts for other reasons?
• Right, but if they have a D water system and they want to take on debt to improve it, the only place
• Does the system have too much debt? Does it conduct audits? Has it done a rate study?
• And they were able to use debt to pay for their upgrades.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Conservation and Natural Resources Committee first took up Senate Bill 953, as amended by a House committee substitute combining provisions from House Bill 1885 and Senate Bill 1397. Members discussed changes to the Missouri Clean Water Commission’s conflict-of-interest rules and a provision giving a person who contracts for storage rights in a Corps of Engineers reservoir exclusive rights to return flows. The committee also added House Bill 1376 language to exempt certain non-point source agricultural activities from permitting. Some members raised concerns about conflicts of interest and potential impacts on neighbors and water quality, while supporters said the changes were cleanup language and would not change pollution levels. The substitute was adopted and the bill was voted do pass by a 6-5 roll call, with one present. The committee then heard House Bill 3193, a plastic waste reduction bill for Missouri state parks and historic sites. Sponsor Representative Wellenkamp said the bill would reduce plastic bottles, bags, and Styrofoam/styrene containers in parks and encourage alternatives, while allowing exceptions where needed. Supporters from conservation groups, a bird observatory, and private citizens said plastic waste harms water quality, wildlife, tourism, and cleanup efforts, and several noted the need to consider accessibility and disability-related needs such as straws and packaging. One opponent from the beverage industry argued that plastics are highly recyclable and that education and recycling are better solutions than bans. No vote was taken on HB 3193. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3320, the Drinking Water Transparency and Accountability Act. The bill would direct DNR to assign A-F grades to community water systems based on violations, finances, operations, and infrastructure, post the grades publicly, and impose stronger oversight on systems graded D or F. Supporters, including Missouri American Water, the Missouri Chamber, and some public witnesses, said the bill would improve transparency and help communities understand and address aging infrastructure and financial problems. Opponents from municipal utilities, water associations, and the Missouri Municipal League said the information is already available, that a single letter grade would oversimplify a complex system, and that the bill could create confusion, alarm, and unnecessary costs. The hearing on HB 3320 ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• All that debt is in our budget in the state General Fund payments.
• The project was 100% funded by debt issued by UC Law, College of Law.
• That required us to set rents at levels to support that debt.
• The project was 100% funded by debt issued by UC Law, College of the Law.
• That required us to set rents at levels to support that debt.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held an extended hearing focused primarily on University of California budget issues, enrollment, housing, and Title IX. Chair David Alvarez opened by noting the governor’s proposed 8% ongoing General Fund reduction to UC, the deferral of compact funding, and the College of the Law budget item, while emphasizing that no votes would be taken that day. Public commenters, including UC Davis employees and lecturers, urged restoration of UC funding and opposed the hiring freeze, saying cuts would worsen staffing shortages, reduce research capacity, and harm students and patients. On UC core operations, the Department of Finance said the governor’s budget maintains the compact but defers $240.8 million in ongoing support and continues a planned 7.95% reduction, while the LAO recommended rejecting the deferrals and instead making any changes in the budget year. UC San Diego’s chancellor and UC Office of the President argued the cuts and deferrals would create major campus shortfalls, force hiring freezes, larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, delayed projects, and possible layoffs. Committee members questioned whether cuts could be shifted away from students and toward administration, discussed UCOP reserves and bond debt, and noted that UC’s budget structure makes the campus-level impact larger than the headline reduction. The committee also reviewed enrollment trends and nonresident replacement. The LAO said UC resident enrollment has grown and recommended revisiting 2026-27 targets and pausing the nonresident replacement plan if state funding does not improve. UC said it has exceeded California undergraduate enrollment and nonresident replacement goals, but warned that continued growth without funding would force enrollment reductions and harm quality. Members discussed the role of nonresident and international students, tuition rates, and the value of UC as a pathway for California students and a source of talent for the state. A separate housing item covered the state’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program. UC reported that recent bond savings could support additional affordable beds at UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara, but the LAO and Finance noted the Legislature would need to decide how to use the $6.2 million in savings from the original projects. The committee also heard a Title IX update from UC’s systemwide civil rights office, which described campus Title IX structures, training, and policy enforcement, and said the system has been working to improve confidentiality guidance and streamline complaint processes after survey feedback showed confusion and lengthy procedures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite all of our efforts, Augusta's bonding capacity, even with very little debt service debt, has
• Despite all of our efforts, Augusta's bonding capacity, even with very little debt service debt, has
• Despite all of our efforts, Augusta's bonding capacity, even with very little debt service debt, has
• Despite all of our efforts, Augusta's bonding capacity, even with very little debt service debt, has
• Despite all of our efforts, Augusta's bonding capacity, even with very little debt service debt, has

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 HB 537 Discussion 00:00:40 HB 537 Vote 00:02:45 HJR 34 Discussion 00:03:30 HJR 34 Vote 00:07:45 HJR 30 Discussion 00:08:30 HJR 30 Vote 00:10:25 HJR 32 Discussion 00:11:00 HJR 32 Vote 00:41:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee took up several measures related to appropriations and school facilities. House Bill 537 was explained as a technical fix to Kentucky’s opioid abatement settlement framework so the state can accept funds from national bankruptcy settlements under the allocation structure now used by the courts; the bill was supported by the Attorney General’s office and local government groups and received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 34 authorized release of previously appropriated KCTCS funds for three projects, and members discussed whether KCTCS facilities could be used more broadly for community needs such as public health, workforce, and other services. KCTCS officials said they were open to that idea, and the resolution also received a favorable recommendation. House Joint Resolution 30, concerning the Waters program and release of funds for projects that had remained in design, was adopted by committee substitute and passed favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Joint Resolution 32, which concerns school facility gap funding for districts with low bonding capacity. The chair and sponsor explained that the General Assembly had previously asked the auditor and Blue & Co. to analyze district data because of disputes over project costs and bonding capacity. Superintendents from Marion County, Augusta Independent, Williamstown, and Walton Verona described their projects and financial constraints. Marion County and Augusta argued that full gap funding is necessary for new school or multipurpose facility projects that cannot be phased in; Augusta emphasized its old building stock, high poverty rate, and the need for a gymnasium/multipurpose space used for school and community functions. Williamstown described a STEM center and field expansion, saying the project would be delayed for years without full funding. Walton Verona described rapid growth, overcrowding, and an intermediate school project that had risen sharply in cost from the original estimate. Members asked questions about the accuracy of cost estimates and the scope of the projects, including why some estimates differed from the auditor’s figures and whether the funding requests covered only parts of larger phased plans. The testimony generally supported full funding for the listed districts, with the districts arguing that the projects are necessary for safe, modern learning environments and that local tax effort has already been substantial. Each of the measures considered during the meeting was reported out favorably, with the chair voting no on the resolutions and bills before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• created tens of thousands of jobs, increased take-home pay, erased millions of dollars in medical debt
• Just look at the toll that medical debt has taken on too many Arizonans.
• Before we took action, Arizonans owed $2.4 billion worth of medical debt.
• Today, we've erased 642,000 Worth of medical debt.
• Today, we've erased $642 million in medical debt for nearly half a million people without costing the

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The transcript is the opening joint session of the Arizona Legislature’s 57th Second Regular Session, featuring remarks from House and Senate leaders and Governor Katie Hobbs. House and Senate leaders emphasized a conservative governing agenda focused on affordability, public safety, parental rights, accountability, school choice, election integrity, and water policy, while also highlighting plans for tax cuts and cooperation across chambers. Governor Hobbs centered her address on the “Arizona promise,” stressing affordability, security, and freedom. She highlighted prior actions on job growth, medical debt relief, housing, public safety, border security, water management, and economic development, and announced new proposals including a middle-class tax cut package, a capacity and efficiency initiative to save state funds, a new active management area for La Paz County, a Colorado River Protection Fund, elimination of the data center tax exemption, a housing acceleration fund, and an Arizona Affordability Fund funded in part by a short-term rental fee. She also called for more accountability in the ESA program and for renewing Prop. 123 to support public schools. The governor and legislative leaders also addressed political violence, honoring retiring Senator Lela Alston and recognizing public safety and firefighting personnel. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the session; it concluded with the joint session being dissolved after the governor’s remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the cost: over $3 trillion added to the debt and a $5 trillion debt ceiling raise brought to you
• to the debt and a5 trillion<02:10:43.599> dollar<02:10:43.920> debt<02:10:44.239> sealing
• <02:10:44.560> raise trillion dollar debt sealing raise trillion dollar debt sealing raise
• It explodes our national debt.
• If you care about debt in this country, if you care about our grandkids being burdened with debt, if

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• current debt service.
• debt service off in 2032.
• means that paying back the debt service for 1.5 billion dollars isn't an extension of the debt service
• It's not an extension of our capacity; it's an extension of our debt service, right?
• So what we would be doing is pushing out the debt service completion date terms.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is also a debt vehicle, and that manager is investing in our.
• The second thing is, what are the risks of taking on debt?
• Because if you take on debt, you've got to pay it back.
• Mission Driven Finance, which is a debt company...
• One's part of a debt fund and part of an equity fund.

Transcript Highlights:

• reported through their fiscal agents: three school districts and one Board of Education tax levy to pay debt
• Two school districts did not need an additional tax levy to pay debt service reported in an upcoming
• The bonds will not be a KHC or Commonwealth debt bond.
• The Commonwealth is participating in approximately 10% of this issuance, with an annual debt service
• The four SFCC debt issues were approved. Thank you, Ms. Catch. Thank you all very much.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the January minutes and then received several informational reports on school district tax levies, revenue bonds, lease advertisements, and previously rejected lease transactions. Members were told that one rejected lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Hardin County would be canceled and rebid, while a Perry County lease modification for the Energy and Environment Cabinet would proceed. The Kentucky Communications Network Authority also submitted its quarterly capital projects report, and Eastern Kentucky University reported revisions to asset preservation projects. Janice Thomas, Deputy State Budget Director, presented four capital project action items. These included a Kentucky State University Betty White Building renovation funded by USDA grant money, a Department of Education state schools dormitory and cottage renovation appropriation increase because bids exceeded estimates, a restricted-funds scope increase for the Elizabethtown CTC science building expansion, and a pool project report for the Department of Corrections’ KCIW kitchen drain line repair and replacement. Representative Petrie asked about how often the statutory authority for midstream project increases is used and whether bids are typically competitive; Thomas said the increases are used often when bids come in above estimates and that bids are generally competitive, though construction costs have been difficult to gauge. The committee unanimously approved the first three action items, and the KCIW project was reported with no action required. H. Sandy Williams of the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority then presented six loans and one emergency grant. The items included loans for Frankfort’s East Frankfort Interceptor wet weather facility project, Sturgis wastewater improvements, Scottsville inflow and infiltration work, Morganfield wastewater treatment plant planning and design, Western Pulaski County Water District transmission improvements, and Springfield water system planning and replacement work, plus an emergency Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville following a sewer treatment plant failure and local emergency declarations. After no questions, the committee unanimously approved the seven KIA transactions. Chelsea Couch then presented a Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for $38.4 million to finance a multifamily rental project in Jefferson County; members asked how the committee participates and were told it was a conduit issuance rather than state debt. The committee approved that item. Finally, the committee heard an informational Turnpike Authority refunding issuance of about $53 million for present value savings, then approved four SFCC debt issues for Henderson, Pulaski, Scott, and Trimble counties to finance school renovations and construction. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and location.

Transcript Highlights:

• spending $90,000 plus to pay off debt spending $90,000 plus to pay off debt because<00:15:49.600
• from those who can is collecting debt from those who can afford<00:18:55.360> it.
• <00:22:18.640> from question are that is that debt from question are that is that debt from
• debt collection in<00:23:08.480> the<00:23:08.640> bill?
• , after you reached your limit of debt, after you reached your limit of debt, you<00:25:41.840>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session on a bill concerning school meal access and reimbursement. The bill would address local school districts’ responsibility to provide meals during school hours, reimburse schools for meals served at no cost, and make an appropriation. The committee first moved to retain the bill, with supporters saying it was complex, had uncertain fiscal impacts, and should be considered alongside other related meals bills. Opponents argued the committee already had enough information, that the bill served a small number of students at relatively low cost, and that delaying action would harm children who need food to learn. The committee also heard from Tim Roar, a Keene school business administrator and co-designer of the bill, who explained that the proposal was intended to be an opt-in program for districts, with rulemaking to set participation requirements. He said the bill was meant to target aid to students between 175% and 200% of poverty, reduce bad meal debt, and avoid spending taxpayer money on families who could afford to pay. He estimated the state cost at about $250,000 in year one, with local taxpayer costs around $8,500 for Keene, and said some districts already have systems for online applications while others do not. Committee members questioned him about meal debt, online application software costs, and how districts handle students who reach debt limits. Roar said districts still feed students who are hungry, but use other resources and family outreach when meal debt is capped, and he argued that parents should be responsible for providing lunch when they can afford it. Other members pushed back, saying they had seen students go hungry and that teachers sometimes pay for lunches themselves. One member noted the bill would increase eligibility, make it easier to apply, strengthen personal responsibility, and was not a mandate. The discussion ended without a recorded final vote in the excerpt, though the retain motion remained the central action under debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• not to not to address the national debt not to not to address the national debt but<00:26:02.000
• They're adding more than $2 trillion to the national debt just with this budget resolution.
• do something about the the federal debt do something about the the federal debt that's<01:00:04.640
• again not to balance the national debt again not to balance the national debt not<01:13:47.080><
• modifies the definition of debt modifies the definition of debt obligation<01:32:01.280> so

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:07:02.279> it cutting down on unpaid meal debt it cutting down on unpaid meal debt it
• something similar to work off meal debt something similar to work off meal debt um<03:56:21.279>
• But then again, there will still be school meal debt. So the school meal debt is not new.
• But then again, there will still be school meal debt. So the school meal debt is not new.
• But then again, there will still be school meal debt. So the school meal debt is not new.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 651, a school-funding bill that would raise the base cost of an adequate education and increase differentiated aid for students in poverty, English language learners, and special education. The chair opened with housekeeping notices about parking and eating in committee spaces, and noted a revised fiscal note would be distributed. Representative David Luneau presented the bill as part of a broader package of public school funding measures, explaining that HB 651 builds on HB 550 and is intended to respond to court rulings and the ongoing school-funding litigation by adjusting both the base adequacy amount and equity-based funding factors. Luneau said the bill would raise the state’s adequacy grant from about $4,100 to $7,351 per student and increase differentiated aid, while also updating statutory language so future recalculations include the court-identified resource elements. He argued the measure is about fairness and shifting more of the burden from local property taxpayers to the state, not about increasing overall education spending. He reviewed fiscal-note figures indicating the bill would add roughly $576 million to the state share of school funding, bringing the total state share to about $1.65 billion, and said the note also mentions possible effects on charter schools and vouchers. Committee members asked about the evidence supporting higher costs for low-income and English learner students, how long ESL funding should continue, why free-and-reduced-lunch aid remains higher than special education aid, whether the formula is based on enrollment or average daily membership, and whether the bill is truly equitable across districts of different sizes and needs. Luneau and later witness Zach Shen of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project said the bill is supported by research and court findings, that the current formula relies heavily on local property taxes, and that shifting more funding to the state would reduce property-tax pressure and help address disparities among districts. Shen also cited broad public support for the related HB 550 testimony and said HB 651 is intended as a step toward a more equitable funding system. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.