Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §15602, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1985, c. 505, §12, is further amended to read:

1. Contributions from General Fund. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide at least 55% 100% of the cost of the total allocation for education from General Fund revenue sources or a percentage no less than that provided in the year prior to the year of allocation, whichever is greater.

The amount of the teacher recognition grants authorized in section 13503-A which that are paid or deemed eligible to be paid on August 15, 1986, shall must be added to the actual local operating costs expended by local units in 1986-87. The minimum amount of the cost of the total allocation from General Fund revenue sources for 1988-89 shall must be increased by the total amount expended by the State in 1986-87 for teacher recognition grants in accordance with section 13503-A and block grants in accordance with section 13509. The resulting percentage shall must be used to define the minimum percentage contribution from General Fund revenue sources in 1988-89 and subsequent years.

Sec. 2. Legislation. The State Budget Officer shall submit any proposed legislation necessary to provide 100% of the cost of the total allocation for education through the sales tax to the 2nd Regular Session of the 121st Legislature no later than January 16, 2004.

SUMMARY

This bill requires that the State fully fund the cost of education for students in kindergarten to grade 12.