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Senate adopts school finance package; amendments add short-term BEST and formula funding actions
Summary
The Senate passed House Bill 13-20 to implement a new school finance formula and related changes. Floor amendments created a 'Kids Matter' account, added one-time BEST program funding for capital projects, and harmonized how charter schools are funded for the coming year.
House Bill 13-20 cleared the Senate May 2 after floor amendments designed to safeguard implementation of a new school funding formula and to add short-term capital funding.
Sponsors said the bill implements a revised school finance formula intended to improve equity among districts and to set the state on a path to full funding. Floor amendment L50 established a dedicated account (referred to on the floor as a "Kids Matter" account) to direct a portion of state revenue to the formula; another floor amendment (L48) added roughly $32.6 million for the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant program and $25 million for some COP-backed projects in the near term. Senators also adopted an amendment (L47) written to resolve a technical funding alignment affecting charter schools and certain district calculations for the next school year.
Floor debate included concerns from rural senators about enrollment declines and the pace of funding changes; sponsors and appropriators emphasized that the amendments and the new account were intended to guarantee the state will implement the new formula and to provide short-term capital relief. After adopting the technical and funding amendments the Senate voted to pass HB13-20 and sent the bill on for final steps.
What changed: the bill, as amended on the floor, (1) creates a revenue-directed account intended to support full implementation of the new school funding formula, (2) adds one-time funds for BEST capital grants and COP projects for the coming budget year, and (3) contains a one‑year charter-school funding alignment so those schools do not face abrupt declines under formula changes.
Next steps: implementing language and appropriation details will be finalized in the enrolled bill and by the Joint Budget Committee; sponsors pledged continued work over the interim to refine BEST program eligibility and long-term capital funding options.
