HB 1607

Bill Subjects

Audits And Auditors Public Questions Revenue, Department Of Schools, Charter Schools Schools, Curricula

Abstract

Provides all charter schools access to loans through the Indiana bond bank. Requires a county auditor to distribute a portion of revenue received from a school corporation's operations fund property tax levy to each: (1) charter school in which students who receive not more than 50% virtual instruction and who have legal settlement in the school corporation attend; and (2) transferee school corporation that a transferred student who has legal settlement in the school corporation attends. Phases in the distributions over three years. Provides that, for a resolution to adopt a school operating referendum tax levy adopted after June 30, 2023, a county auditor must distribute a portion of revenue received from the levy or school safety referendum tax levy to each transferee school corporation and charter school in which students who receive not more than 50% virtual instruction and who have legal settlement in the school corporation attend. Provides that if a charter school receives a distribution from a school corporation from a school operating referendum tax levy or a school safety referendum tax levy, the charter school must post certain information on the charter school's website. Provides that a charter school or transferee school corporation that may receive money from a school operating referendum tax levy or a school safety referendum tax levy may not promote a position on a referendum, in the same manner as a school corporation is prohibited from promoting a position on a referendum. Provides that the maximum length of a charter is 15 years. (Current law provides that the maximum length of a charter is seven years.) Amends the definition of "school building construction program" to: (1) include the purchase, lease, or financing of land, the construction and equipping of school buildings, and the remodeling, repairing, or improving of school buildings by a charter school; and (2) replace "adjusted assessed valuation" with "assessed valuation" with regard to school corporation eligibility for an advance from the common school fund. Establishes the public school options program and fund. Provides that a charter school (excluding a virtual charter school or adult high school) may receive an advance from the common school fund if the charter school's authorizer approves the application. Provides that the state board of education shall repay a charter school's advance from proceeds in the public school options fund. Provides that the department of state revenue shall make a distribution from the state retail and use tax that it collects to the public school options fund. Makes conforming amendments. Makes a technical correction.