PRINTER'S NO. 1511
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1159
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY HICKERNELL, SAYLOR, CUTLER, OBERLANDER, BAKER,
BLOOM, COHEN, DRISCOLL, FEE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GREINER,
PHILLIPS-HILL, KAUFFMAN, M. K. KELLER, MENTZER, MILLARD,
B. MILLER, MURT, PICKETT, RAPP, READSHAW, TOEPEL, TOPPER,
TRUITT, WATSON, ZIMMERMAN AND GILLEN, MAY 11, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 11, 2015
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in reimbursements by Commonwealth and
between school districts, establishing the Emergency Basic
Education Subsidy Fund; and providing for basic education
subsidy continuation funding.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 2599.6. Emergency Basic Education Subsidy Fund.--(a)
The Emergency Basic Education Subsidy Fund is established as a
separate fund in the State Treasury. The money of the fund is
appropriated on a continuing basis to carry out the provisions
of this section.
(b) If legislation providing an appropriation for the basic
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education subsidy is not enacted by August 15, the State
Treasurer shall periodically transfer unappropriated,
unrestricted General Fund money, to the extent that the funds
are available, to the Emergency Basic Education Subsidy Fund.
The transfers shall be up to the dollar amounts and at the times
as necessary to meet the requirements of section 2517(c).
(c) If the Governor fails to certify revenue estimates under
section 618 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known
as "The Administrative Code of 1929," for the current fiscal
year the Secretary of Revenue shall certify to the State
Treasurer each time a transfer is needed under subsection (a)
that there is adequate unappropriated, unrestricted General Fund
money to make the transfer.
(d) (1) The Secretary of Education shall draw a warrant on
the State Treasurer in favor of each district for the amount to
which the district is entitled, to meet each basic education
subsidy payment to the school districts pursuant to the payment
schedule under section 2517(c).
(2) Payments made to each school district shall be in the
same amount as provided in the previous year.
(e) Transfers provided under this section shall only be in
effect during the time in which no basic education subsidy
appropriation has been enacted and shall be made only in the
amount necessary to meet each basic education subsidy payment to
the school districts pursuant to the payment schedule under
section 2517(c).
(f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this act, the
board of school directors of each school district may reopen the
board's budget to reflect funding provided under this section.
Section 2. This act shall apply to fiscal years beginning
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after June 30, 2015.
Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
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