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SB 2819

AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- THE EDUCATION EQUITY AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF ACT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 6 co-sponsors

The bill expands and restructures state education funding, adding targeted streams (CTE, pre-K, SROs) and stabilization funds while phasing out some prorations.

05/19/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2819

Overview

Bill: SB 2819 (Rhode Island, 2026) — Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act

  • Introduced: March 4, 2026
  • Prime subject: Expands and clarifies state funding for education through the existing permanent foundation aid program, adds targeted funding streams, and adjusts how funds are allocated and prorated for several programs and districts.
  • Status: Referred to Senate Finance; scheduled for hearing/consideration.

Main purpose and intent

The bill aims to enhance state support for K-12 education beyond core foundation aid by creating and modifying several categorical funding streams. It also addresses financial stabilization needs for certain districts and programs, and it strengthens state financial participation in specific cost areas (e.g., transportation, facilities, retiree benefits) and in regionalization efforts. Notably, it pivots away from prorating (capping) funds when demand for reimbursements exceeds appropriations, and it repeals the transition-proration approach for certain categorical programs.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Excess costs for special education (a)

    • Provides direct state funding for extraordinary costs of individual special education students that exceed four times the core foundation amount.
    • DESE will prorate funding if demand exceeds available funds.
    • Collects data on costs exceeding 2x, 3x, and 5x thresholds.

  2. Career and Technical Education (b)

    • Funds initial investments for transforming/creating CTE programs and pathways.
    • Proration if total approved costs exceed funding.

  3. Pre-kindergarten access (c)

    • Funds to expand access to voluntary, high-quality pre-K programs.
    • DESE to develop allocation criteria.

  4. Central Falls, Davies, and the Met Center Stabilization Fund (d)

    • Establishment of a stabilization fund to balance state and local contributions for Central Falls (and related costs like transportation, facilities, retiree benefits).
    • Transition plan with ongoing state and city funding adjustments; post-transition, the city continues contributions.
    • Davies and Met Center costs addressed due to stand-alone high school needs.

  5. Transportation costs for out-of-district non-public schools (e)

    • State funds cover costs of transporting students to out-of-district non-public schools for districts in the statewide system.
    • Proration if funding is insufficient.

  6. Transportation within regional districts (f)

    • State funding for excess costs; costs shared equally between state and regional districts after netting federal revenue.
    • Proration if needed.

  7. Regionalization regionalization bonus (g)

    • Adds a phased regionalization bonus for designated regionalized districts (e.g., Chariho).
    • Bonus amounts: 2% in year 1, 1% in year 2, ceases in year 3.
    • Applies to state share of foundation aid; prorating if funds are insufficient.
    • Specifics for Chariho and calculation/allocation rules.

  8. State support for School Resource Officers (SROs) (i)

    • Provides direct state reimbursements for SRO salaries/benefits for eligible districts (up to 3-year window for positions established after July 1, 2018).
    • Reimbursement rate: 50% of salaries/benefits.
    • Eligibility rules based on school size and position limits; new positions must adhere to caps.

  9. Funding and transition (k, h)

    • Subsections (a)-(g) are funded pursuant to a transition plan, with an explicit deletion of the former transition-proration mechanism as noted in the explanation.

Who/what is affected

  • School districts and specific districts/centers (e.g., Central Falls, Davies, Met Center) receiving foundation aid or participating in regionalization.
  • Special education programs and individual students with extraordinary costs.
  • Districts implementing CTE programs and pre-K expansion.
  • Regionalized school districts and towns involved in regionalization efforts (including the Chariho district).
  • Schools employing or planning to hire School Resource Officers.
  • Transportation systems for students attending public or non-public schools.

Timelines and procedural aspects

  • Effective date: Upon passage.
  • Fiscal mechanics: Funds for various categories may be prorated if appropriations are insufficient (except as the bill seeks to modify or remove certain prorations per the EXPLANATION section).
  • Regionalization bonus: Phased across three fiscal years, ceasing in year three.
  • SRO funding: 3-year direct state support window for qualifying positions established after 7/1/2018.

Additional notes

  • The EXPLANATION indicates a shift away from mandatory prorating for all categorical programs and removal of transition-plan-based funding for some categories, signaling a significant change in how districts might experience funding volatility.
  • The bill emphasizes data collection on cost thresholds and criteria development for allocating new funds (CTE, pre-K, etc.).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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