Act No. 98

Public Acts of 2005

Approved by the Governor

July 21, 2005

Filed with the Secretary of State

July 22, 2005

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 22, 2005

STATE OF MICHIGAN

93RD LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2005

Introduced by Senators Switalski and Emerson

ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 279

AN ACT to amend 1979 PA 94, entitled "An act to make appropriations to aid in the support of the public schools and the intermediate school districts of the state; to make appropriations for certain other purposes relating to education; to provide for the disbursement of the appropriations; to supplement the school aid fund by the levy and collection of certain taxes; to authorize the issuance of certain bonds and provide for the security of those bonds; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, the state board of education, and certain other boards and officials; to create certain funds and provide for their expenditure; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts," by amending sections 11, 11a, 11j, 22a, 22b, 51a, and 51c (MCL 388.1611, 388.1611a, 388.1611j, 388.1622a, 388.1622b, 388.1651a, and 388.1651c), sections 11 and 51a as amended by 2004 PA 518, section 11a as added by 2003 PA158, and sections 11j, 22a, 22b, and 51c as amended by 2004 PA 351.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 11. (1) For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, there is appropriated for the public schools of this state and certain other state purposes relating to education the sum of $10,907,222,200.00 from the state school aid fund established by section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, the sum of $41,100,000.00 from the proceeds of capitalization of the school bond loan fund revolving fund, and the sum of $165,200,000.00 from the general fund. In addition, available federal funds are appropriated for each fiscal year.

(2) The appropriations under this section shall be allocated as provided in this act. Money appropriated under this section from the general fund shall be expended to fund the purposes of this act before the expenditure of money appropriated under this section from the state school aid fund. If the maximum amount appropriated under this section from the state school aid fund for a fiscal year exceeds the amount necessary to fully fund allocations under this act from the state school aid fund, that excess amount shall not be expended in that state fiscal year and shall not lapse to the general fund, but instead shall be deposited into the school aid stabilization fund created in section 11a.

(3) If the maximum amount appropriated under this section from the state school aid fund and the school aid stabilization fund for a fiscal year exceeds the amount available for expenditure from the state school aid fund for that fiscal year, payments under sections 11f, 11g, 11j, 22a, 26a, 31d, 51a(2), 51a(12), 51c, 53a, and 56 shall be made in full. In addition, for districts beginning operations after 1994-95 that qualify for payments under section 22b, payments under section 22b shall be made so that the qualifying districts receive the lesser of an amount equal to the 1994-95 foundation allowance of the district in which the district beginning operations after 1994-95 is located or $5,500.00. The amount of the payment to be made under section 22b for these qualifying districts shall be as calculated under section 22a, with the balance of the payment under section 22b being subject to the proration otherwise provided under this subsection and subsection (4). Subject to subsection (5), if proration is necessary after 2002-2003, state payments under each of the other sections of this act from all state funding sources shall be prorated in the manner prescribed in subsection (4) as necessary to reflect the amount available for expenditure from the state school aid fund for the affected fiscal year. However, if the department of treasury determines that proration will be required under this subsection, or if the department of treasury determines that further proration is required under this subsection after an initial proration has already been made for a fiscal year, the department of treasury shall notify the state budget director, and the state budget director shall notify the legislature at least 30 calendar days or 6 legislative session days, whichever is more, before the department reduces any payments under this act because of the proration. During the 30 calendar day or 6legislative session day period after that notification by the state budget director, the department shall not reduce any payments under this act because of proration under this subsection. The legislature may prevent proration from occurring by, within the 30 calendar day or 6 legislative session day period after that notification by the state budget director, enacting legislation appropriating additional funds from the general fund, countercyclical budget and economic stabilization fund, state school aid fund balance, or another source to fund the amount of the projected shortfall.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), if proration is necessary, the department shall calculate the proration in district and intermediate district payments that is required under subsection (3) as follows:

(a) The department shall calculate the percentage of total state school aid allocated under this act for the affected fiscal year for each of the following:

(i) Districts.

(ii) Intermediate districts.

(iii) Entities other than districts or intermediate districts.

(b) The department shall recover a percentage of the proration amount required under subsection (3) that is equal to the percentage calculated under subdivision (a)(i) for districts by reducing payments to districts. This reduction shall be made by calculating an equal dollar amount per pupil as necessary to recover this percentage of the proration amount and reducing each district's total state school aid from state sources, other than payments under sections 11f, 11g, 11j, 22a, 26a, 31d, 51a(2), 51a(12), 51c, and 53a, by that amount.

(c) The department shall recover a percentage of the proration amount required under subsection (3) that is equal to the percentage calculated under subdivision (a)(ii) for intermediate districts by reducing payments to intermediate districts. This reduction shall be made by reducing the payments to each intermediate district, other than payments under sections 11f, 11g, 26a, 51a(2), 51a(12), 53a, and 56, on an equal percentage basis.

(d) The department shall recover a percentage of the proration amount required under subsection (3) that is equal to the percentage calculated under subdivision (a)(iii) for entities other than districts and intermediate districts by reducing payments to these entities. This reduction shall be made by reducing the payments to each of these entities, other than payments under sections 11j and 26a, on an equal percentage basis.

(5) Beginning in 2004-2005, if a district has an emergency financial manager in place under the local government fiscal responsibility act, 1990 PA 72, MCL 141.1201 to 141.1291, payments to that district are not subject to proration under this section.

(6) Except for the allocation under section 26a, any general fund allocations under this act that are not expended by the end of the state fiscal year are transferred to the school aid stabilization fund created under section 11a.

Sec. 11a. (1) The school aid stabilization fund is created as a separate account within the state school aid fund established by section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963.

(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the school aid stabilization fund. The state treasurer shall deposit into the school aid stabilization fund all of the following:

(a) Unexpended and unencumbered state school aid fund revenue for a fiscal year that remains in the state school aid fund as of the bookclosing for that fiscal year.

(b) Money statutorily dedicated to the school aid stabilization fund.

(c) Money appropriated to the school aid stabilization fund.

(3) Money available in the school aid stabilization fund may not be expended without a specific appropriation from the school aid stabilization fund. Money in the school aid stabilization fund shall be expended only for purposes for which state school aid fund money may be expended.

(4) The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the school aid stabilization fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the school aid stabilization fund interest and earnings from fund investments.

(5) Money in the school aid stabilization fund at the close of a fiscal year shall remain in the school aid stabilization fund and shall not lapse to the unreserved school aid fund balance or the general fund.

(6) If the maximum amount appropriated under section 11 from the state school aid fund for a fiscal year exceeds the amount available for expenditure from the state school aid fund for that fiscal year, there is appropriated from the school aid stabilization fund to the state school aid fund an amount equal to the projected shortfall as determined by the department of treasury, but not to exceed available money in the school aid stabilization fund. If the money in the school aid stabilization fund is insufficient to fully fund an amount equal to the projected shortfall, the state budget director shall notify the legislature as required under section 11(3) and state payments in an amount equal to the remainder of the projected shortfall shall be prorated in the manner provided under section 11(4).

(7) For 2004-2005, there is transferred from the school aid stabilization fund to the state school aid fund the amount necessary to fully fund the allocations under this act.

Sec. 11j. From the appropriation in section 11 from the proceeds of capitalization of the school bond loan fund revolving fund, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $41,100,000.00 for 2004-2005 for payments to the school loan bond redemption fund in the department of treasury on behalf of districts and intermediate districts. Notwithstanding section 11 or any other provision of this act, funds allocated under this section are not subject to proration and shall be paid in full.

Sec. 22a. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $6,615,000,000.00 for 2004-2005 for payments to districts, qualifying university schools, and qualifying public school academies to guarantee each district, qualifying university school, and qualifying public school academy an amount equal to its 1994-95 total state and local per pupil revenue for school operating purposes under section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963. Pursuant to section 11 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, this guarantee does not apply to a district in a year in which the district levies a millage rate for school district operating purposes less than it levied in 1994. However, subsection (2) applies to calculating the payments under this section. Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the state fiscal year for which they were allocated, as determined by the department, may be used to supplement the allocations under sections 22b and 51c in order to fully fund those calculated allocations for the same fiscal year.

(2) To ensure that a district receives an amount equal to the district's 1994-95 total state and local per pupil revenue for school operating purposes, there is allocated to each district a state portion of the district's 1994-95 foundation allowance in an amount calculated as follows:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the state portion of a district's 1994-95 foundation allowance is an amount equal to the district's 1994-95 foundation allowance or $6,500.00, whichever is less, minus the difference between the product of the taxable value per membership pupil of all property in the district that is not a homestead or qualified agricultural property times the lesser of 18 mills or the number of mills of school operating taxes levied by the district in 1993-94 and the quotient of the ad valorem property tax revenue of the district captured under 1975 PA197, MCL 125.1651 to 125.1681, the tax increment finance authority act, 1980 PA 450, MCL 125.1801 to 125.1830, the local development financing act, 1986 PA 281, MCL 125.2151 to 125.2174, or the brownfield redevelopment financing act, 1996 PA 381, MCL 125.2651 to 125.2672, divided by the district's membership. For a district that has a millage reduction required under section 31 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963, the state portion of the district's foundation allowance shall be calculated as if that reduction did not occur.

(b) For a district that had a 1994-95 foundation allowance greater than $6,500.00, the state payment under this subsection shall be the sum of the amount calculated under subdivision (a) plus the amount calculated under this subdivision. The amount calculated under this subdivision shall be equal to the difference between the district's 1994-95 foundation allowance minus $6,500.00 and the current year hold harmless school operating taxes per pupil. If the result of the calculation under subdivision (a) is negative, the negative amount shall be an offset against any state payment calculated under this subdivision. If the result of a calculation under this subdivision is negative, there shall not be a state payment or a deduction under this subdivision. The taxable values per membership pupil used in the calculations under this subdivision are as adjusted by ad valorem property tax revenue captured under 1975 PA 197, MCL 125.1651 to 125.1681, the tax increment finance authority act, 1980 PA 450, MCL 125.1801 to 125.1830, the local development financing act, 1986 PA 281, MCL 125.2151 to 125.2174, or the brownfield redevelopment financing act, 1996 PA 381, MCL 125.2651 to 125.2672, divided by the district's membership.

(3) Beginning in 2003-2004, for pupils in membership in a qualifying public school academy or qualifying university school, there is allocated under this section to the authorizing body that is the fiscal agent for the qualifying public school academy for forwarding to the qualifying public school academy, or to the board of the public university operating the qualifying university school, an amount equal to the 1994-95 per pupil payment to the qualifying public school academy or qualifying university school under section 20.

(4) A district, qualifying university school, or qualifying public school academy may use funds allocated under this section in conjunction with any federal funds for which the district, qualifying university school, or qualifying public school academy otherwise would be eligible.

(5) For a district that is formed or reconfigured after June 1, 2000 by consolidation of 2 or more districts or by annexation, the resulting district's 1994-95 foundation allowance under this section beginning after the effective date of the consolidation or annexation shall be the average of the 1994-95 foundation allowances of each of the original or affected districts, calculated as provided in this section, weighted as to the percentage of pupils in total membership in the resulting district in the state fiscal year in which the consolidation takes place who reside in the geographic area of each of the original districts. If an affected district's 1994-95 foundation allowance is less than the 1994-95 basic foundation allowance, the amount of that district's 1994-95 foundation allowance shall be considered for the purpose of calculations under this subsection to be equal to the amount of the 1994-95 basic foundation allowance.

(6) As used in this section:

(a) "1994-95 foundation allowance" means a district's 1994-95 foundation allowance calculated and certified by the department of treasury or the superintendent under former section 20a as enacted in 1993 PA 336 and as amended by 1994 PA 283.

(b) "Current state fiscal year" means the state fiscal year for which a particular calculation is made.

(c) "Current year hold harmless school operating taxes per pupil" means the per pupil revenue generated by multiplying a district's 1994-95 hold harmless millage by the district's current year taxable value per membership pupil.

(d) "Hold harmless millage" means, for a district with a 1994-95 foundation allowance greater than $6,500.00, the number of mills by which the exemption from the levy of school operating taxes on a homestead and qualified agricultural property could be reduced as provided in section 1211(1) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, and the number of mills of school operating taxes that could be levied on all property as provided in section 1211(2) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, as certified by the department of treasury for the 1994 tax year.

(e) "Homestead" means that term as defined in section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211.

(f) "Membership" means the definition of that term under section 6 as in effect for the particular fiscal year for which a particular calculation is made.

(g) "Qualified agricultural property" means that term as defined in section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL380.1211.

(h) "Qualifying public school academy" means a public school academy that was in operation in the 1994-95 school year and is in operation in the current state fiscal year.

(i) "Qualifying university school" means a university school that was in operation in the 1994-95 school year and is in operation in the current fiscal year.

(j) "School operating taxes" means local ad valorem property taxes levied under section 1211 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, and retained for school operating purposes.

(k) "Taxable value per membership pupil" means each of the following divided by the district's membership:

(i) For the number of mills by which the exemption from the levy of school operating taxes on a homestead and qualified agricultural property may be reduced as provided in section 1211(1) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, the taxable value of homestead and qualified agricultural property for the calendar year ending in the current state fiscal year.

(ii) For the number of mills of school operating taxes that may be levied on all property as provided in section1211(2) of the revised school code, MCL 380.1211, the taxable value of all property for the calendar year ending in the current state fiscal year.

Sec. 22b. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,923,200,000.00 for 2004-2005 for discretionary nonmandated payments to districts under this section. Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the state fiscal year for which they were allocated, as determined by the department, may be used to supplement the allocations under sections 22a and 51c in order to fully fund those calculated allocations for the same fiscal year.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) and section 11, the allocation to a district under this section shall be an amount equal to the sum of the amounts calculated under sections 20, 20j, 51a(2), 51a(3), and 51a(12), minus the sum of the allocations to the district under sections 22a and 51c.

(3) In order to receive an allocation under this section, each district shall administer in each grade level that it operates in grades 1 to 5 a standardized assessment approved by the department of grade-appropriate basic educational skills. A district may use the Michigan literacy progress profile to satisfy this requirement for grades 1 to 3. Also, if the revised school code is amended to require annual assessments at additional grade levels, in order to receive an allocation under this section each district shall comply with that requirement.

(4) From the allocation in subsection (1), the department shall pay up to $1,000,000.00 in litigation costs incurred by this state associated with lawsuits filed by 1 or more districts or intermediate districts against this state. If the allocation under this section is insufficient to fully fund all payments required under this section, the payments under this subsection shall be made in full before any proration of remaining payments under this section.

(5) It is the intent of the legislature that all constitutional obligations of this state have been fully funded under sections 22a, 31d, 51a, and 51c. If a claim is made by an entity receiving funds under this act that challenges the legislative determination of the adequacy of this funding or alleges that there exists an unfunded constitutional requirement, the state budget director may escrow or allocate from the discretionary funds for nonmandated payments under this section the amount as may be necessary to satisfy the claim before making any payments to districts under subsection (2). If funds are escrowed, the escrowed funds are a work project appropriation and the funds are carried forward into the following fiscal year. The purpose of the work project is to provide for any payments that may be awarded to districts as a result of litigation. The work project shall be completed upon resolution of the litigation.

(6) If the local claims review board or a court of competent jurisdiction makes a final determination that this state is in violation of section 29 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 regarding state payments to districts, the state budget director shall use work project funds under subsection (5) or allocate from the discretionary funds for nonmandated payments under this section the amount as may be necessary to satisfy the amount owed to districts before making any payments to districts under subsection (2).

(7) If a claim is made in court that challenges the legislative determination of the adequacy of funding for this state's constitutional obligations or alleges that there exists an unfunded constitutional requirement, any interested party may seek an expedited review of the claim by the local claims review board. If the claim exceeds $10,000,000.00, this state may remove the action to the court of appeals, and the court of appeals shall have and shall exercise jurisdiction over the claim.

(8) If payments resulting from a final determination by the local claims review board or a court of competent jurisdiction that there has been a violation of section 29 of article IX of the state constitution of 1963 exceed the amount allocated for discretionary nonmandated payments under this section, the legislature shall provide for adequate funding for this state's constitutional obligations at its next legislative session.

(9) If a lawsuit challenging payments made to districts related to costs reimbursed by federal title XIX medicaid funds is filed against this state during 2001-2002, 2002-2003, or 2003-2004, 50% of the amount allocated in subsection (1) not previously paid out for 2002-2003, 2003-2004, and each succeeding fiscal year is a work project appropriation and the funds are carried forward into the following fiscal year. The purpose of the work project is to provide for any payments that may be awarded to districts as a result of the litigation. The work project shall be completed upon resolution of the litigation. In addition, this state reserves the right to terminate future federal title XIX medicaid reimbursement payments to districts if the amount or allocation of reimbursed funds is challenged in the lawsuit. As used in this subsection, "title XIX" means title XIX of the social security act, 42 USC 1396 to 1396v.

Sec. 51a. (1) From the appropriation in section 11, there is allocated for 2004-2005 an amount not to exceed $896,383,000.00 from state sources and all available federal funding under sections 611 to 619 of part B of the individuals with disabilities education act, 20 USC 1411 to 1419, estimated at $329,850,000.00 plus any carryover federal funds from previous year appropriations. The allocations under this subsection are for the purpose of reimbursing districts and intermediate districts for special education programs, services, and special education personnel as prescribed in article3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1701 to 380.1766; net tuition payments made by intermediate districts to the Michigan schools for the deaf and blind; and special education programs and services for pupils who are eligible for special education programs and services according to statute or rule. For meeting the costs of special education programs and services not reimbursed under this article, a district or intermediate district may use money in general funds or special education funds, not otherwise restricted, or contributions from districts to intermediate districts, tuition payments, gifts and contributions from individuals, or federal funds that may be available for this purpose, as determined by the intermediate district plan prepared pursuant to article 3 of the revised school code, MCL 380.1701 to 380.1766. All federal funds allocated under this section in excess of those allocated under this section for 2002-2003 may be distributed in accordance with the flexible funding provisions of the individuals with disabilities education act, title VI of Public Law 91-230, including, but not limited to, 34 CFR 300.234 and 300.235. Notwithstanding section 17b, payments of federal funds to districts, intermediate districts, and other eligible entities under this section shall be paid on a schedule determined by the department.

(2) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2004-2005 the amount necessary, estimated at $175,500,000.00 for 2004-2005, for payments toward reimbursing districts and intermediate districts for 28.6138% of total approved costs of special education, excluding costs reimbursed under section 53a, and 70.4165% of total approved costs of special education transportation. Allocations under this subsection shall be made as follows:

(a) The initial amount allocated to a district under this subsection toward fulfilling the specified percentages shall be calculated by multiplying the district's special education pupil membership, excluding pupils described in subsection(12), times the sum of the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil's district of residence plus the amount of the district's per pupil allocation under section 20j(2), not to exceed $6,500.00 adjusted by the dollar amount of the difference between the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year and $5,000.00 minus $200.00, or, for a special education pupil in membership in a district that is a public school academy or university school, times an amount equal to the amount per membership pupil calculated under section 20(6). For an intermediate district, the amount allocated under this subdivision toward fulfilling the specified percentages shall be an amount per special education membership pupil, excluding pupils described in subsection (12), and shall be calculated in the same manner as for a district, using the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil's district of residence, not to exceed $6,500.00 adjusted by the dollar amount of the difference between the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year and $5,000.00 minus $200.00, and that district's per pupil allocation under section 20j(2).

(b) After the allocations under subdivision (a), districts and intermediate districts for which the payments under subdivision (a) do not fulfill the specified percentages shall be paid the amount necessary to achieve the specified percentages for the district or intermediate district.

(3) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated for 2004-2005 the amount necessary, estimated at $3,000,000.00, to make payments to districts and intermediate districts under this subsection. If the amount allocated to a district or intermediate district for a fiscal year under subsection (2)(b) is less than the sum of the amounts allocated to the district or intermediate district for 1996-97 under sections 52 and 58, there is allocated to the district or intermediate district for the fiscal year an amount equal to that difference, adjusted by applying the same proration factor that was used in the distribution of funds under section 52 in 1996-97 as adjusted to the district's or intermediate district's necessary costs of special education used in calculations for the fiscal year. This adjustment is to reflect reductions in special education program operations or services between 1996-97 and subsequent fiscal years. Adjustments for reductions in special education program operations or services shall be made in a manner determined by the department and shall include adjustments for program or service shifts.

(4) If the department determines that the sum of the amounts allocated for a fiscal year to a district or intermediate district under subsection (2)(a) and (b) is not sufficient to fulfill the specified percentages in subsection (2), then the shortfall shall be paid to the district or intermediate district during the fiscal year beginning on the October 1 following the determination and payments under subsection (3) shall be adjusted as necessary. If the department determines that the sum of the amounts allocated for a fiscal year to a district or intermediate district under subsection (2)(a) and (b) exceeds the sum of the amount necessary to fulfill the specified percentages in subsection (2), then the department shall deduct the amount of the excess from the district's or intermediate district's payments under this act for the fiscal year beginning on the October 1 following the determination and payments under subsection (3) shall be adjusted as necessary. However, if the amount allocated under subsection (2)(a) in itself exceeds the amount necessary to fulfill the specified percentages in subsection (2), there shall be no deduction under this subsection.

(5) State funds shall be allocated on a total approved cost basis. Federal funds shall be allocated under applicable federal requirements, except that an amount not to exceed $3,500,000.00 may be allocated by the department for 2004-2005 to districts or intermediate districts on a competitive grant basis for programs, equipment, and services that the department determines to be designed to benefit or improve special education on a statewide scale.

(6) From the amount allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $2,200,000.00 for 2004-2005 to reimburse 100% of the net increase in necessary costs incurred by a district or intermediate district in implementing the revisions in the administrative rules for special education that became effective on July 1, 1987. As used in this subsection, "net increase in necessary costs" means the necessary additional costs incurred solely because of new or revised requirements in the administrative rules minus cost savings permitted in implementing the revised rules. Net increase in necessary costs shall be determined in a manner specified by the department.

(7) For purposes of this article, all of the following apply:

(a) "Total approved costs of special education" shall be determined in a manner specified by the department and may include indirect costs, but shall not exceed 115% of approved direct costs for section 52 and section 53a programs. The total approved costs include salary and other compensation for all approved special education personnel for the program, including payments for social security and medicare and public school employee retirement system contributions. The total approved costs do not include salaries or other compensation paid to administrative personnel who are not special education personnel as defined in section 6 of the revised school code, MCL 380.6. Costs reimbursed by federal funds, other than those federal funds included in the allocation made under this article, are not included. Special education approved personnel not utilized full time in the evaluation of students or in the delivery of special education programs, ancillary, and other related services shall be reimbursed under this section only for that portion of time actually spent providing these programs and services, with the exception of special education programs and services provided to youth placed in child caring institutions or juvenile detention programs approved by the department to provide an on-grounds education program.

(b) Beginning with the 2004-2005 fiscal year, a district or intermediate district that employed special education support services staff to provide special education support services in 2003-2004 or in a subsequent fiscal year and that in a fiscal year after 2003-2004 receives the same type of support services from another district or intermediate district shall report the cost of those support services for special education reimbursement purposes under this act. This subdivision does not prohibit the transfer of special education classroom teachers and special education classroom aides if the pupils counted in membership associated with those special education classroom teachers and special education classroom aides are transferred and counted in membership in the other district or intermediate district in conjunction with the transfer of those teachers and aides.

(c) Reimbursement for ancillary and other related services, as defined by R340.1701c of the Michigan administrative code, shall not be provided when those services are covered by and available through private group health insurance carriers or federal reimbursed program sources unless the department and district or intermediate district agree otherwise and that agreement is approved by the state budget director. Expenses, other than the incidental expense of filing, shall not be borne by the parent. In addition, the filing of claims shall not delay the education of a pupil. A district or intermediate district shall be responsible for payment of a deductible amount and for an advance payment required until the time a claim is paid.

(8) From the allocation in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2004-2005 an amount not to exceed $15,313,900.00 to intermediate districts. The payment under this subsection to each intermediate district shall be equal to the amount of the 1996-97 allocation to the intermediate district under subsection (6) of this section as in effect for 1996-97.

(9) A pupil who is enrolled in a full-time special education program conducted or administered by an intermediate district or a pupil who is enrolled in the Michigan schools for the deaf and blind shall not be included in the membership count of a district, but shall be counted in membership in the intermediate district of residence.

(10) Special education personnel transferred from 1 district to another to implement the revised school code shall be entitled to the rights, benefits, and tenure to which the person would otherwise be entitled had that person been employed by the receiving district originally.

(11) If a district or intermediate district uses money received under this section for a purpose other than the purpose or purposes for which the money is allocated, the department may require the district or intermediate district to refund the amount of money received. Money that is refunded shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the state school aid fund.

(12) From the funds allocated in subsection (1), there is allocated for 2004-2005 the amount necessary, estimated at $7,000,000.00, to pay the foundation allowances for pupils described in this subsection. The allocation to a district under this subsection shall be calculated by multiplying the number of pupils described in this subsection who are counted in membership in the district times the sum of the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil's district of residence plus the amount of the district's per pupil allocation under section 20j(2), not to exceed $6,500.00 adjusted by the dollar amount of the difference between the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year and $5,000.00 minus $200.00, or, for a pupil described in this subsection who is counted in membership in a district that is a public school academy or university school, times an amount equal to the amount per membership pupil under section20(6). The allocation to an intermediate district under this subsection shall be calculated in the same manner as for a district, using the foundation allowance under section 20 of the pupil's district of residence, not to exceed $6,500.00 adjusted by the dollar amount of the difference between the basic foundation allowance under section 20 for the current fiscal year and $5,000.00 minus $200.00, and that district's per pupil allocation under section 20j(2). This subsection applies to all of the following pupils:

(a) Pupils described in section 53a.

(b) Pupils counted in membership in an intermediate district who are not special education pupils and are served by the intermediate district in a juvenile detention or child caring facility.

(c) Emotionally impaired pupils counted in membership by an intermediate district and provided educational services by the department of community health.

(13) After payments under subsections (2) and (12) and section 51c, the remaining expenditures from the allocation in subsection (1) shall be made in the following order:

(a) 100% of the reimbursement required under section 53a.

(b) 100% of the reimbursement required under subsection (6).

(c) 100% of the payment required under section 54.

(d) 100% of the payment required under subsection (3).

(e) 100% of the payment required under subsection (8).

(f) 100% of the payments under section 56.

(14) The allocations under subsection (2), subsection (3), and subsection (12) shall be allocations to intermediate districts only and shall not be allocations to districts, but instead shall be calculations used only to determine the state payments under section 22b.

Sec. 51c. As required by the court in the consolidated cases known as Durant v State of Michigan, Michigan supreme court docket no. 104458-104492, from the allocation under section 51a(1), there is allocated for 2004-2005 the amount necessary, estimated at $642,000,000.00, for payments to reimburse districts for 28.6138% of total approved costs of special education excluding costs reimbursed under section 53a, and 70.4165% of total approved costs of special education transportation. Funds allocated under this section that are not expended in the state fiscal year for which they were allocated, as determined by the department, may be used to supplement the allocations under sections 22a and 22b in order to fully fund those calculated allocations for the same fiscal year.

Enacting section 1. In accordance with section 30 of article I of the state constitution of 1963, total state spending from state sources for fiscal year 2004-2005 in this amendatory act, 2004 PA 518, 2004 PA 351, and 2004 PA 185 is estimated at $11,113,522,200.00 and state appropriations to be paid to local units of government for fiscal year 2004-2005 are estimated at $11,050,922,200.00.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Secretary of the Senate

Clerk of the House of Representatives

Approved

Governor