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HF 515

General education basic formula allowance increased by an additional three percent per year, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patti Anderson and 7 co-sponsors

HF 515 would permanently raise the general education basic formula by 3% annually, with appropriations to fund the ongoing increases for Minnesota school districts.

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Bill Summary · HF 515

Summary of HF 515 (Minnesota, 2025-2026 Session)

Purpose and Intent

HF 515 proposes to increase the General Education Basic Formula Allowance (the per-pupil general-education funding formula) by an additional 3% per year, and to appropriate money to support these increases. The bill aims to provide ongoing growth to the basic per-pupil funding pool for Minnesota’s K-12 system, through annual increases, with accompanying appropriations to fund the enhanced formula.

Key Provisions

  • General Education Basic Formula Increase

    • The bill adds an annual increase of 3% to the General Education Basic Formula Allowance.
    • This implies a compounding effect each year, expanding the funding available under the per-pupil basic formula to local districts.

  • ** appropriations**

    • The bill designates money to be appropriated to support the increased basic formula amount.
    • The exact dollar amounts, funding mechanism (ongoing vs. one-time), and the total multiyear fiscal impact would be determined by the bill’s fiscal provisions and any accompanying budget language.

  • Scope

    • Applies to general education basic formula funding, which is the foundational per-pupil state aid used to fund general education programs in Minnesota’s school districts.

Who is Affected

  • Minnesota School Districts and Charter Schools
    • Primary recipients of base General Education Aid. The 3% increase directly translates to higher per-pupil funding amounts used for per-student operating costs in general education.
  • State Education Finance System
    • Requires adjustment to the ongoing funding model and budget to incorporate the annual 3% increases and the associated appropriations.
  • Teachers, Students, and Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
    • Indirect impact through greater funding for base educational programs, with potential downstream effects on resources, staffing decisions, and program offerings.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral
    • Introduced and referred to the Education Finance committee (as of 2025-02-13).
  • Author and Sponsor History
    • Primary author: (not specified in the provided text)
    • Co-sponsors include: Danny Nadeau, Natalie Zeleznikar, Patti Anderson, Matt Norris, Jeff Witte, Andrew Myers, Kari Rehrauer, Ben Bakeberg.
    • Additional authorship updates occurred on 2025-02-20, 2025-02-24, and 2025-03-26, indicating ongoing sponsor activity.
  • Next Steps
    • As with most HF (House File) bills, passage would require committee consideration (Education Finance) followed by floor votes in the Minnesota House, a companion bill in the Senate, and final approval by the Legislature and the governor.

Fiscal and Policy Considerations (Implications)

  • Fiscal Impact
    • The 3% annual increase represents a multiyear growth in the basic formula, with corresponding annual appropriations. The cumulative fiscal impact depends on the number of years the increases are authorized and the base funding level.
  • Equity and Outcomes
    • By increasing the general education basic formula, districts with higher enrollment growth or greater per-pupil needs could see more substantial gains, potentially affecting equity among districts with varying student populations and cost structures.
  • Implementation
    • The bill would require adjustments to the state education funding tables, software systems, and annual budget development to reflect the new per-pupil amounts and the associated appropriations.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to the current base formula levels (if you provide the existing per-pupil amount) or outline potential fiscal scenarios under different enrollment projections.

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

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