Senate Bill 17-061 Summary

• School districts must distribute additional mill levy revenue equally on a per-pupil basis to charter schools beginning in the 2017-18 budget year, with phased implementation from 2018-19 requiring at least 33% distribution initially, increasing to 100% by 2020-21.

• School districts may withhold restricted mill levy revenue if charter schools do not provide the specific program or serve the specific grade level for which voters authorized the funds, or if the revenue is subject to pre-existing third-party agreements.

• School districts may continue distributing mill levy revenue to benefit specific student populations (alternative education, low-income, English language learners, special education) if distributed equally per-student regardless of school type.

• Creates a Mill Levy Equalization Fund to provide state equalizing payments to institute charter schools on an equal per-pupil basis, subject to annual legislative appropriation.

• School districts may submit a ballot question to voters regarding how to treat mill levies approved before July 1, 2017, with mandatory distribution required for all levies approved on or after that date.