Committee approves bill to let Little Falls school district recover simulator costs

The Education Finance Committee voted to place House File 1034 on the general register after the bill’s sponsor said the measure would allow the Little Falls school district to be reimbursed for grant-related expenses it incurred before grant timing aligned with purchases.

The bill’s sponsor, who identified the pilot program as one created with Chair Yoo Hakim, told the committee the district purchased two simulators costing about $225,000 as part of preparations for a fall program and got “a bit ahead of the grant process.” The legislation would permit the district to seek reimbursement so it is “not left on the hook” for those costs.

The measure was introduced early in the hearing and moved forward without extended debate. Representative Krisha moved that House File 1034 be placed on the general register. Members approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Committee members expressed support for clarifying the Department of Education’s (MDE) grant timing and oversight so that schools and districts better understand spending deadlines. Chair Acushka (committee chair) and Chair Yoo Hakim both offered brief comments of support, and the author said the program is “doing really well.”

The bill as described by the sponsor does not create new grant dollars; it instead facilitates the reimbursement of previously appropriated funds. Committee discussion indicated the grant dollars had already been approved and the bill addresses timing and process to allow those dollars to be spent on pre-purchased equipment.