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HB 8511

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Edith Ajello and 9 co-sponsors

The act strengthens Rhode Island’s foundation aid to shield districts from SNAP-related funding disruptions, by updating how core per-pupil amounts and high-need/MLL supports are c

05/19/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 8511

Summary of HB 8511 (Rhode Island, 2026) — The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act

Purpose and intent

  • The bill codifies changes to Rhode Island’s permanent foundation education aid formula to mitigate potential funding disruptions linked to shifts in federal nutrition assistance (SNAP). It aims to ensure local education authorities (LEAs) continue receiving appropriate levels of foundation aid even when SNAP participation fluctuates.

Key provisions and changes

Core foundation aid structure (existing framework revised)

  • The foundation education aid for each district remains the sum of: 1) Core instruction amount, and 2) Amount to support high-need students beyond the core amount, all multiplied by the district’s state-shareratio to determine total foundation aid.

(a) Core instruction amount (updated annually)

  • The core instruction amount per pupil is determined by a statewide figure derived from:
    • Average regional expenditure data from NE states (RI, MA, CT, NH) via NCES,
    • Categories: instruction and support services, general administration, school administration, other services from the National Public Education Financial Survey (NCES),
    • Enrollment data from NCES (Common Core of Data).
  • Multiplied by district average daily membership (excluding charter/state-operated school students for calculation purposes).
  • This amount is updated annually.

(a)(2) High-need student support beyond core instruction

  • Calculated using:
    • A student success factor of 40% (now referenced as 43% in the text; the intended value in the bill appears to be 43%) applied to the core instruction per-pupil amount,
    • For resident students with income at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines (poverty status).
  • SNAP-based poverty measure adjustments:
    • Beginning with FY 2024 calculations, the DESE must use a poverty proxy determined by DESE (not relying on school nutrition programs) to drive the student success factor, the state share ratio, and related estimates.
    • From FY 2024 onward, students at or below 185% poverty will be identified via SNAP participation, with direct certified counts multiplied by 1.6.
    • For FY 2027, due to SNAP disruptions, the number cannot be decreased below the FY 2026 level.
  • Multilingual learners (MLLs):
    • A multilingual-learner factor of 20% applied to the core amount, for resident students in the three lowest proficiency categories per standard assessments.
    • LEAs must annually report how funds are used for MLL services by Sept 1, with DESE auditing for consistency with best practices.
  • Local reporting and oversight required to ensure proper use and alignment with standards.

(b) and (c) Budgeting and updates

  • DESE must provide a foundation aid cost estimate in its annual budget submission, with data updated for recent averages and enrollment changes (October 1 membership data by December 1).

(d) Flexibility for LEAs

  • LEAs may reserve a portion of foundation funds to expand learning opportunities (e.g., after-school, summer programs, full-day kindergarten, multiple pathway programs) provided core and other required programs are funded.

(e) Regulations

  • DESE is empowered to promulgate regulations necessary to implement the act.

(f) Reporting and planning milestones

  • Several reporting requirements tied to budget cycles (FY 2025–FY 2027) include:
    • Evaluations of the number of MLL students and poverty-eligible students by district, segmentation by proficiency levels (WIDA), and recommended funding solutions (including potential inclusion of MLL needs within the core formula or via weights/categorical funding).
    • Development of alternatives to identify students below 185% poverty via state-administered programs (SNAP, RIteCare, etc.).
    • Reporting on local contributions to education aid and compliance with state statutes, with comparisons to state aid and dissemination to local governing bodies.
    • A coordinated report by FY 2027 on matching human services data to DESE enrollment data to improve consistency.
    • An FY 2027 budget submission must include an estimate of foundation aid using expanded direct certification with Medicaid matching to better identify poverty-level students.
    • By December 31, 2025, a report on processes to ensure the consistency and validity of high-cost special education data.

Who is affected

  • Local education agencies (school districts, charter exclusions noted for calculation purposes) and their students.
  • Students impacted by poverty and multilingual status (MLLs), particularly those at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
  • LEAs’ administrative staff who implement MLL reporting and use funds for targeted services.
  • Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), which administers funding formulas, reporting, and regulatory implementation.
  • State agencies involved in SNAP, RIteCare, and data systems (DHS, RI longitudinal data system, Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner) due to data matching and poverty verification provisions.

Timeline and effective date

  • Effective date: Upon passage of the act.
  • Several provisions reference budget cycles and reporting due dates starting with FY 2024–FY 2027 planning and submission timelines (October 2023 onward for certain estimates; October 1, 2023, and subsequent October 1 dates for future reporting).
  • Ongoing annual updates to the core amount and periodic reviews of poverty and MLL measures through FY 2027 and beyond.

Notes

  • The act explicitly addresses potential funding disruptions caused by SNAP changes to ensure LEAs do not lose funding due to shifts in federal programs.
  • The act includes several data-matching and transparency requirements to improve accuracy and accountability in the funding formula.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with the current 16-7.2 formula or generate a concise one-page briefing for policymakers.

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

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