HB4148

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 increase the base level for FY 2027 from $5,113.26 to $5,215.53, increase the FY 2027 state support level per route mile from: a. $3.01 to $3.07 for 0.5 or less approved daily route mileage per eligible student transported; b. $2.47 to $2.52 for more than 0.5 through 1.0 approved daily route mileage per eligible student transported; and c. $3.01 to $3.07 for more than 1.0 approved daily route mileage per eligible student transported, and increase charter additional assistance from: a. $2,131.90 to $2,174.54 per student count in preschool programs for children with disabilities, kindergarten programs and the 1st-8th grades; and b. $2,484.69 to $2,534.38 per student count in the 9th-12th grades.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make a concrete adjustment to the existing rule for 2026-2027. It would increase the base level for FY 2027 from $5,113.26 to $5,215.53, and would also increase the FY 2027 state support level per route mile from: a. $3.01 to $3.07 for 0.5 or less approved daily route mileage per eligible student transported; b. $2.47 to $2.52 for more than 0.5 through 1.0 approved daily route mileage per eligible student transported; and c. $3.01 to $3.07 for more than 1.0 approved daily route mileage per eligible student transported, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.