Montana SB215: Revise the definition of public school system and requirements of school funding formula

What the bill says

A bill for an act entitled: "an act revising school funding laws related to the definition of the "basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools"; revising a definition; revising the educationally relevant factors that the legislature shall consider in developing a school funding formula; requiring the school funding formula to address open enrollment, student achievement, and transparency; amending section 20-9-309, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.".

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING SCHOOL FUNDING LAWS RELATED TO THE DEFINITION OF THE "BASIC SYSTEM OF FREE QUALITY PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS"; REVISING A DEFINITION; REVISING THE EDUCATIONALLY RELEVANT FACTORS THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHALL CONSIDER IN DEVELOPING A SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA; REQUIRING THE SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA TO ADDRESS OPEN ENROLLMENT, STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, AND TRANSPARENCY; AMENDING SECTION 20-9-309, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Section 20-9-309, MCA, is amended to read: "20-9-309. Basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools defined -- identifying educationally relevant factors -- establishment of funding formula and budgetary structure -- legislative review. (1) Pursuant to Article X, section 1, of the Montana constitution, the legislature is required to provide a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools throughout the state of Montana that will guarantee equality of educational opportunity to all. (2) As used in this section, a "basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools" means: (a) the educational program specified by the accreditation standards provided for in 20-7-111, which represent the minimum standards upon which a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools is built; (b) educational programs to provide for students with special …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Beard, Becky (R, 38) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 23, 2025: (H) Died in Committee
2. April 7, 2025: (H) Tabled in Committee
3. April 3, 2025: (H) Hearing
4. February 20, 2025: (H) 1st Reading
5. February 20, 2025: (H) Referred to Committee
6. February 19, 2025: (S) Transmitted to House
7. February 19, 2025: (S) 3rd Reading
8. February 19, 2025: (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
9. February 18, 2025: (S) 2nd Reading
10. February 18, 2025: (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading

Votes

• Do Pass (February 19, 2025): 29 yea, 20 nay, passed
• Do Pass (February 18, 2025): 31 yea, 19 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB215?

SB215 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise the definition of public school system and requirements of school funding formula.

What does SB215 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act revising school funding laws related to the definition of the "basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools"; revising a definition; revising the educationally relevant factors that the legislature shall consider in developing a school funding formula; requiring the school funding formula to address open enrollment, student achievement, and transparency; amending section 20-9-309, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.".

What is the status of SB215?

Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Committee (May 23, 2025).

Who sponsored SB215?

Beard, Becky (R, 38).

Where is the official record for SB215?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0964