SB1530

THE CONTEXT: The Arizona Legislature adopts a budget for each fiscal year (FY) that contains general appropriations. Article IV, Section 20, Part 2 of the Constitution of Arizona requires the General Appropriations Act (feed bill) to contain only appropriations for the different state departments, state institutions, public schools and interest on public debt.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would adjusts the base level for FY 2024 from $4,775.27 to $4,870.78, increase the support level weight for the Group B funding category for students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches (FRPL) from 0.018 to 0.022, and increase the FY 2024 state support level per route mile from: a) $2.83 to $2.89 for 0.5 or less approved daily route mileage; b) $2.32 to $2.37 for more than 0.5 through 1.0 approved daily route mileage; and c) $2.83 to $2.89 for more than 1.0 approved daily route mileage.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give students, families, and schools a clearer statewide rule for k-12 education. It would adjusts the base level for FY 2024 from $4,775.27 to $4,870.78, and would also increase the support level weight for the Group B funding category for students who are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches (FRPL) from 0.018 to 0.022, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.