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Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2026-04-22

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill makes two changes: (1) it allows Personal Education Student Account (PESA) scholarship funds to be used to pay for one-to-one classroom aides at private schools, with restrictions on who can serve as an aide, and (2) it appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $7 million for fiscal year 2026-2027 to increase and expand scholarships for children of wartime veterans.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that allowing PESA funds for classroom aides helps students with specialized learning needs access personalized educational support in private school settings.
• •They also contend that increasing wartime veterans' scholarships honors military service and provides educational opportunities for eligible veterans' children by restoring scholarship amounts that were previously reduced.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may be concerned about accountability and oversight of one-to-one aides who are not school employees, questioning how their qualifications and performance are monitored.
• •Others might argue that the $8 million in appropriated funds for veterans' scholarships, particularly the $7 million recurring commitment, could strain the state budget or be redirected to other educational priorities or needs.