(1) (a) For school district budget years 2001-02 through 2010-11, the general assembly shall annually increase the total state funding for all categorical programs by at least the rate of inflation for the calendar year ending in the immediately preceding school district budget year plus one percentage point.
(b) For the school district budget year 2011-12 and each school district budget year thereafter, the general assembly shall annually increase the total state funding for all categorical programs by at least the rate of inflation for the calendar year ending in the immediately preceding school district budget year.
The general assembly may annually appropriate moneys in the state education fund,the general fund, any other state fund, or some combination thereof, as necessary in the sole discretion of the general assembly but consistent with section 17 (5) of article IX of the state constitution, to satisfy the requirements of subsection (1) of this section. The general assembly may annually determine the particular categorical programs for which state funding will be increased for purposes of complying with the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, and the allocation of such increase shall be reflected in the annual general appropriation bill.
For the 2008-09 budget year and each budget year thereafter, on or before February15, the education committees of the house of representatives and senate, or any successor committees, may submit to the joint budget committee of the general assembly a joint recommendation regarding the allocation of the increase in total state funding for all categorical programs as required by subsection (1) of this section for the next budget year. The joint budget committee shall consider but shall not be bound by any joint recommendations made pursuant to this subsection (3) when developing the annual general appropriation bill for the budget year for which the joint recommendation is made.
Source: L. 2001: Entire article added, p. 577, § 1, effective May 30; entire article added,
p. 678, § 1, effective May 30. L. 2007: (3) added, p. 743, § 22, effective May 9.
Editor's note: This section was enacted as section 22-55-104 in Senate Bill 01-082 and as section 22-55-106 in Senate Bill 01-204 but has been renumbered for ease of location and harmonized with House Bill 01-1262.