Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Appropriations Committee
HB 2180
Brief Description: Increasing the special education enrollment funding cap.
Sponsors: Representatives Callan, Bergquist, Reed, Ormsby, Ramel, Stonier, Paul, Alvarado, Farivar, Fosse and Reeves; by request of Office of Financial Management.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Increases the enrollment limit for special education excess cost funding from 15 percent to 17.25 percent.  
Hearing Date: 1/17/24
Staff: James Mackison (786-7104).
Background:

The state allocates funding for a program of special education for students with disabilities using an excess cost formula.  For eligible students in kindergarten through age 21 (K-21), the formula multiplies a school district's base allocation by an excess cost multiplier up to an enrollment limit of 15 percent of a school district's full-time student enrollment.  The enrollment limit was increased to its current level in 2023 from 13.5 percent.  K-21 students receiving special education generate funding through both the base allocation and excess cost formulas.


School districts receive a tiered excess cost multiplier based on inclusion in a general education setting for K-21 special education students.  A multiplier of 1.12 is provided for special education students that spend at least 80 percent of the school day in a general education setting.  For students in a general education setting less than 80 percent of the time, districts receive a 1.06 multiplier.  The multipliers were increased to their current levels in the 2023 session from 1.0075 and 0.995.


The formulas for special education also apply to charter schools and tribal schools in state-tribal education compacts.
Summary of Bill:

The enrollment limit for K-21 special education funding is increased from 15 percent to 17.25 percent.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 9, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.