H.B. 251 Summary

• Restores state sales tax refund for local school administrative units and joint agencies for direct purchases of tangible property and services, with an aggregate annual refund cap of $13,300,000.

• Exempts State Board of Education administration of Article 17E of Chapter 115C from Administrative Procedure Act requirements and extends interim rule deadlines from May 30, 2019 to May 30, 2020 and 2021.

• Expands textbook and digital resources allotment to include electronic equipment and devices used to access technology-based programs and digital resources.

• Modifies kindergarten through third grade class size requirements to establish average class ratios with individual class exceptions limited to three students above the allotment ratio, effective July 1, 2019.

• Sets specific class size ratios for 2019-2020 school year (one teacher per 19 students average, per 22 students maximum individual class) and 2020-2021 school year (one teacher per 18 students average, per 21 students maximum individual class).