SB 627, MACo’s initiative bill to improve school funding laws, was supported unanimously in both the Budget and Taxation Committee and the Senate Floor as the revised version of the bill now heads to the House of Delegates.

At MACo’s urging, the Committee offered amendments to drop sections of the bill that had attracted concern or opposition, but retained elements that should provide better process efficiencies for counties seeking “nonrecurring cost” approval from the state. The bill also calls on the State Department of Education to work with counties and local school boards to evaluate the timetable and process for those determinations, and to recommend appropriate treatment for long-term leases under the state’s rules for county school budgeting.

Visit the General Assembly website for updates on the bill’s status, or to read its full text.