AK HB41

Establishes state policy to appropriate education funds at least one year in advance of the fiscal year in which they will be expended to provide school districts and educational programs with predictable funding.

Creates a forward funding account in the general fund to hold appropriated education funds until they are distributed to the Department of Education and Early Development.

Requires the Department of Education and Early Development to allocate funds by April 15 of the fiscal year before expenditure and prioritize full funding of the state aid to public schools program under AS 14.17.

Defines "education programs" eligible for forward funding as state aid to public schools, tuition students, youth in detention, pupil transportation, community schools, child nutrition, state boarding schools, and state centralized correspondence study programs.

Directs the legislature to enact forward funding for fiscal year 2015 education programs during fiscal year 2013, with the act taking effect immediately upon enactment.