What's happening
This bill requires New York State to reimburse school districts for actual expenses incurred due to an influx of migrant students.
Why it matters
Direct state reimbursement for actual costs. School districts will be reimbursed for the precise, documented expenses they incur due to an influx of migrant students, rather than relying on estimates or fixed funding formulas. This could help districts avoid budget shortfalls caused by sudden increases in student population.
Faster fiscal response. The bill requires the governor to submit amendments to the state budget for extra aid within thirty days of the school year starting, aiming to get funds to districts more quickly and reducing the lag between incurring expenses and receiving reimbursement.
Accountability and transparency. School districts must certify their expenses through their chief fiscal officers, and payments are subject to voucher audits, which may help ensure taxpayer money is spent appropriately and only for actual, documented costs.
Potential impacts on educational quality and local taxes. By relieving financial pressure from school districts, the bill could help prevent cuts to educational programs or increases in local property taxes that might otherwise be needed to cover unexpected costs from enrolling new migrant students.
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Who cares
School districts receiving an influx of migrant students
The bill would require the state to reimburse any actual expenses districts incur as a result of that influx.
School district chief fiscal officers
They would certify reimbursement vouchers, with payment subject to an audit.
Governor’s office
The governor would have to submit aid-to-localities budget amendments providing reimbursement within 30 days after the school year begins.
State legislators
They would receive the governor’s proposed budget amendments to repay districts for these expenses.
Headline styles
Fund Schools for Migrant Students
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Reimburse Schools for Migrant Costs
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Marianne Buttenschon
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
840
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. TEDISCO, BORRELLO, OBERACKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to providing additional reimbursement to school districts for expenses incurred as a result of an influx of migrant students entering the schools of the districts
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3605 to read as follows:
§ 3605. Additional state reimbursement to school districts. 1. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the state shall provide additional reimbursement to each school district for actual expenses, if any, incurred by the school district as a result of an influx of migrant students entering the schools of the district.
2. Within thirty days after the commencement of the school year, the governor shall prepare and submit to the legislature chapter amendments to the aid to localities budget providing for additional reimbursement to repay school districts for any and all actual expenses referenced in subdivision one of this section.
3. Such reimbursement moneys shall be paid upon the audit of vouchers certified by the chief fiscal officer for the school district demanding reimbursement for actual expenses incurred by such school district as a result of an influx of migrant students entering the schools of the district.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02783-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to providing additional reimbursement to school districts for expenses incurred as a result of an influx of migrant students entering the schools of the districts
Purpose
Relates to providing additional reimbursement to school districts for expenses incurred to a student population spike, while providing relief to localities.
Summary of provisions
§ 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3605 to read as follows:
§ 3605. Additional state reimbursement to school districts. 1. Notwith- standing any inconsistent provision of law, the state shall provide additional reimbursement to each school district for actual expenses, if any, incurred by the school district as a result of an influx of migrant students entering the schools of the district.
2. Within thirty days after the commencement of the school year, the governor shall prepare and submit to the legislature chapter amendments to the aid to localities budget providing for additional reimbursement to repay school districts for any and all actual expenses referenced in subdivision one of this section.
3. Such reimbursement moneys shall be paid upon the audit of vouchers certified by the chief fiscal officer for the school district demanding reimbursement for actual expenses incurred by such school district as a result of an influx of migrant students entering the schools of the district.
Justification
Following many counties within New York State declaring a state of emer- gency related to the recent migrant housing crisis, many of our school districts have similarly taken on unexpected challenges to endure not only a spike in student population, but also the support services neces- sary to educate them. Classroom space, changed bus routes, hiring more bilingual teachers and social workers to meet the needs of thousands of students currently enrolled in public schools throughout New York State have stretched school budgets thin. This measure ensures that already- burdened localities are not saddled with the additional expenses associ- ated with recent spikes in student population.
Legislative history
11/15/23: S.7751 REFERRED TO RULES
01/03/24: S.7751 REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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.