SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2438        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Edward J. Kennedy

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying resolve:

Resolve to examine Chapter 70 funding.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2438        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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Resolve to examine Chapter 70 funding.

Resolved, that a special commission is hereby established for the purpose to study and make recommendations regarding state education funding under Chapter 70 of the Massachusetts General Laws.  The commission shall examine the funding challenges brought about under current law during periods of increased inflation.

The commission shall consist of the commissioner of the department of secondary and elementary education or his designee, who shall serve as commission chair; 3 members of the senate, 1 of whom shall be the senate chair of the joint committee on education, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate; 3 members of the house of representatives, 1 of whom shall be the house chair of the joint committee on education, 1 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and 1 of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; 3 persons to be appointed by the governor, who shall be superintendents or business managers who represent school districts where the state investment under Chapter 70 has not kept pace with increasing costs due to inflation, and 3 persons appointed by the governor who shall be superintendents or business managers who represent school districts in Gateway Cities, and 3 persons appointed by the governor who shall be superintendents or business managers who represent vocational or technical schools.   The commission shall convene its first meeting not later than June 1, 2025, and shall file a report along with any recommendations for legislation not later than November 30, 2025, with the clerks of the senate and house, the chairs of the senate and house committees on ways and means, and the chairs of the joint committee on education.