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Who cares
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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Print number 863a
- Amend (t) and recommit to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to investigations and government operations
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the tax law, in relation to certain unclaimed and abandoned prize money; and to amend the state finance law, in relation to establishing the kindergarten conversion fund
Purpose
To require that unclaimed and abandoned lottery prize money be transferred to the newly created "Kindergarten Conversion Fund" for the purposes of funding kindergarten programs and capital expenses in the state.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Amends subdivision a of section 1614 of the tax law to require that unclaimed or abandoned lottery prize money be transferred to the "Kindergarten Conversion Fund" and distributed to elementary schools to provide funds for kindergarten programs and for capital expenses associated with the program.
Section 2. Adds a new section 99-y to the state finance law to establish the kindergarten reserve fund, which shall consist of all unclaimed and abandoned lottery prize money, and all other moneys credited or transferred thereto from any other fund or source. Such funds, following appropriation by the Legislature, shall be made available to the State Education Department for the purposes of funding kindergarten programs and capital expenses related to the program.
Section 3. Effective date.
Justification
Numerous studies have shown that children's early learning experiences have a profound effect on their development. These early interactions directly affect the way connections are made in the brain. Early learning experiences are crucial to the future well-being of children, and establish the foundation for the acquisition of knowledge and skills that will affect later learning and behavior.
The importance of early education, and the need for all children to have access to kindergarten, has long been recognized in New York and all of the state's school districts are currently offering some form of kindergarten program. Unfortunately, with school districts facing budget cuts and other fiscal difficulties, many are considering either reducing their kindergarten instruction to half-day or eliminating kindergarten completely. This legislation will provide much needed funds to school districts to support their kindergarten programs so that every child in New York will continue to have access to the important benefits kindergarten offers.
Legislative history
New Bills
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.