CT HB05171

Prohibits the Governor from reducing allotments or requisitions for equalization aid grants (education cost sharing grants) that towns are entitled to receive under section 10-262h during the fiscal year.

Amends section 4-85 to explicitly exclude equalization aid grants paid to towns from the Governor's authority to reduce allotments to achieve General Fund budget savings.

Exempts equalization aid grants from budget reduction authority in sections 13 and 14 of Public Act 17-2, which otherwise authorize the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to make reductions of $42.25 million and $45 million respectively in fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

Prevents municipalities from having state financial assistance withheld or reduced under section 12-170f to offset rental assistance grants, except that equalization aid grants are excluded from this withholding mechanism.

Effective July 1, 2018, with provisions regarding aid distribution to towns in quarterly installments (October, January, and April) and restrictions on supplanting local education funding.