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Rep. Walton reintroduces proposal to cap school trip fee waivers at two per student
Summary
Representative Aria Walton (presenting) summarized draft legislation that would limit school fee waivers for extracurricular trips to two per student and allow local LEAs limited discretion for additional waivers; the bill was described as a refile of previously passed committee language that stalled last session.
Representative Walton presented draft legislation titled "school fee waiver amendments" that would change how LEAs administer fee waivers for students who qualify for socioeconomic waivers.
Main proposal: Under current practice, fee waivers can be used to ensure students who cannot afford extracurricular trips (band, debate, etc.) can participate. Walton said the existing waiver policy allows an unlimited number of waived trips in a school year and that, while most students do not rely on the waiver for multiple trips, a small number of cases have permitted large total waived costs for an individual student.
What the bill would do - Cap full-fee waivers for participating in off-campus or extracurricular trips to two waived trips per student per school year as the default. - Allow the LEA to approve additional waivers in exceptional circumstances (for example, through a local policy that could include work/service requirements or partial-fee arrangements).
Rationale and context Representative Walton said the requested cap would preserve access while controlling a rare but growing budget pressure and perceived unfairness when other students must pay. Walton said the bill previously advanced through House and Senate education committees and on the House floor but did not reach final enactment last session; the sponsor described this as a refile intended to finish the work.
Committee reaction Members asked procedural questions about how the cap would be applied and whether local districts would keep discretion for extraordinary cases. Walton said LEAs could still provide additional accommodations in special circumstances and that the intent is not to deny access but to set a reasonable default that preserves fairness and budget transparency.
Next steps Representative Walton indicated the bill file is available and that sponsors plan to run the bill again in the next session. Committee members did not vote on this draft at the meeting; the item was presented for committee review and to make the bill file available for drafting and sponsor collaboration.
Ending: Walton asked members to consider the policy and to provide feedback before formal bill filing so local concerns can be addressed in drafting.
