H.C.R. No. 110 Summary

• Requests the State Auditor to conduct an audit of geographic exception procedures and determinations in the Department of Education, where approximately 20,000 students attended schools under geographic exceptions in 2018-2019 compared to 8,000 in 2005.

• Audit must analyze 10+ years of historical geographic exception data disaggregated by home and receiving schools, student demographics (ethnicity, special education status, English Language Learner status, free/reduced lunch status), and approval/disapproval reasons.

• Audit must examine application processing timelines, appeal procedures, percentage of students using geographic exceptions per school, and the appropriateness of review procedures including principal interviews and consideration of student grades and test scores.

• Audit must evaluate feasibility of implementing an online geographic exception and school enrollment platform, research how other states administer similar programs, and assess equity implications and opportunities for more efficient fund allocation and objective approval standards.

• State Auditor must submit findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2021 Regular Session convenes.