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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget2026-05-04

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill raises the state funding cap for special education services from 13% to 16% of each school district's student population and creates a new High-Cost Disabilities Support Fund to help districts pay for expensive specialized services for students with complex needs. The bill appropriates $82.8 million for general special education funding and $15 million for the high-cost fund, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that many North Carolina districts now serve more than 13% of students with disabilities, forcing them to take money away from regular classrooms to meet federal special education requirements.
• •This bill would align state funding with actual enrollment, reducing budget strain on districts.
• •The high-cost fund would also help smaller districts and those serving students with expensive needs like severe autism or multiple disabilities from being financially overwhelmed.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that the $97.8 million total appropriation adds significant recurring costs to the state budget without identifying specific funding sources, potentially requiring cuts elsewhere or tax increases.
• •Some may question whether raising the cap to 16% will be sufficient if disability identification continues to grow, or whether the high-cost fund criteria will be fairly applied across all districts and schools.