Sec. D-30. 20-A MRSA §8606-A, sub-§2, śC, as amended by PL 1991, c. 518, §38, is further amended to read:

C. The recommendation in the commissioner's funding level certification must include local program cost adjustment to the equivalent of the year prior to the year of allocation. This adjustment is calculated according to the same guidelines established, for purposes of chapter 606 606-B, by section 15605 15689-C, subsection 3.

Sec. D-31. 20-A MRSA §15622 is enacted to read:

§15622.__Repeal

This chapter is repealed July 1, 2005.

Sec. D-32. 20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2003, c. 712, §9, is further amended to read:

1. State and local partnership. The State and each local school administrative unit are jointly responsible for contributing to the cost of the components of essential programs and services described in this chapter. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, for each fiscal year, the total cost of the components of essential programs and services may not exceed the prior fiscal year's costs multiplied by one plus the average real personal income growth rate as defined in Title 5, section 1665, subsection 1, except that in no case may that rate exceed 2.75%.__For fiscal years commencing after the state tax burden ranks in the middle 1/3 of all states, as calculated and certified by the State Tax Assessor, the total cost of the components of essential programs and services may not exceed the prior fiscal year's costs multiplied by one plus the average real personal income growth rate as defined in Title 5, section 1665, subsection 1.__The Legislature, by an affirmative vote of each House, may exceed the limitations on increases in the total cost of the components of essential programs and services provided in this subsection, as long as that vote is taken upon legislation stating that it is the Legislature's intent to override the limitation for that fiscal year. The state contribution to the cost of the components of essential programs and services, exclusive of federal funds that are provided and accounted for in the cost of the components of essential programs and services, must be made in accordance with this subsection: