Assigned to ED & APPROP                                                                                                            FOR COMMITTEE

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1218

 

schools; transportation support level

 

Purpose

 

Increases the school transportation support level for each school district to reflect the increase in the number of days per school year added by Proposition 301. 

 

Background

 

In 2000, Education 2000 was approved by the Legislature, the provisions of which were later approved by the general electorate as Proposition 301. This measure established a six-tenths of a percent sales tax increase for purposes relating to new accountability measures and additional funds for school districts, charter schools, community colleges and universities (Laws 2000, Forty-fourth Legislature, Fifth Special Session, Chapter 1).

 

Proposition 301 added five school days to the statutorily prescribed school year. The number of school days was increased from 175 to 180 by phasing in the five-day increase over five years, beginning in FY 2001-2002.  The additional school days are funded through an increase in the base support level.  Proposition 301 did not stipulate a funding mechanism to pay for additional transportation associated with the additional five phased-in school days.  S.B. 1218 increases the school transportation support level for each school district to reflect the increase in the number of school days added by Proposition 301.

 

Joint Legislative Budget Committee staff estimate that the bill would have a state general fund cost of $2.2 million in FY 2004, $3 million in FY 2005 and $4 million in FY 2006.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Increases the school district transportation support level to reflect the increase in the number of school days added by Proposition 301 in the following manner:

 

(a)    Maintains the FY 2001-2002 and FY 2002-2003 school district transportation support level at a rate associated with 175 school days.

(b)   Increases the transportation support level rate in FY 2003-2004 to conform with 178 school days.

(c)    Increases the transportation support level rate in FY 2004-2005 to conform with 179 school days.

(d)   Increases the transportation support level rate in FY 2005-2006 and in each fiscal year thereafter to conform with 180 school days.

 

2.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

February 12, 2002