Resolve establishing a special commission on special education funding
Generates a plain-language summary of the bill text and history.
| Date | Branch | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 12/15/2025 | Senate | Accompanied a new draft, see S2864↗ |
| 11/18/2025 | Joint | Hearing rescheduled to 11/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-03:25 PM in B-1 and Virtual — Hearing updated to New End Time |
| 11/10/2025 | Joint | Hearing scheduled for 11/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in B-1 |
| 2/27/2025 | House | House concurred |
| 2/27/2025 | Senate | Referred to the committee on Education |
No additional cosponsors.
| Committee | Recommendation | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| J14 | Accompanied | — |
| Bill | Title | Status |
|---|---|---|
| H1044 | Resolve establishing a special commission to study climate change staffing levels | Active |
| H107 | Resolve establishing a special commission to review advancements in educational technology, digital/online learning and related programs | Active |
| H1486 | Resolve establishing a special commission to study and make recommendations relative to Chapter 40B | Active |
| H292 | Resolve establishing a special commission to review Department of Developmental Services regulations and practices | Active |
| S1293 | Resolve establishing a special commission on paid family and medical leave for public employees | Active |
| S1461 | Resolve establishing a special commission on the Dover amendment | Active |
| S156 | Resolve establishing a special commission on the treatment of intellectually and developmentally disabled offenders in the criminal justice system | Active |
| S1664 | Resolve establishing a special commission to ensure the safety and sustainability of non-profit public events | Active |
| S2305 | Resolve establishing a special commission to study the high cost of electricity delivery | Active |
| S2427 | Resolve establishing a special commission to investigate and study the protection of junior operators | Active |
| S2432 | Resolve establishing a special commission to protect pedestrians through moped law enforcement | Active |
| S2715 | Resolve establishing a special commission on the Dover amendment. | Active |
| S38 | Resolve establishing a special commission on blockchain and cryptocurrency technology | Active |
Resolved, (a) There shall be a special legislative commission to investigate and study state funding of special education services in the commonwealth. The commission shall examine the chapter 70 funding formula and the special education circuit breaker program and investigate how to improve state funding of special education services. (b) The commission shall consist of the following members: the secretary of education or his designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education, or his designee; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education, or their respective designees; 1 member appointed by the president of the senate, who shall be an advocate for individuals with disabilities; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house, who shall have expertise in transportation of students with disabilities; 1 member appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 member appointed by the house minority leader; the president of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Federation of Teachers; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education schools; and up to 3 additional individuals appointed by the chair. (c) All appointments shall be made not later than 90 days after the effective date of this act. (d) The commission shall make recommendations for: (i) changes to the chapter 70 calculation of foundation aid to accommodate increases in inflation and costs; (ii) changes to the chapter 70 required local contribution calculation; (iii) raising the threshold for or removing the cap on local contributions under chapter 70; (iv) reforming the penalty for localities deemed below effort in their contributions; (v) improving the special education circuit breaker program to better supplement local funding; and (vi) other matters related to special education funding subject to the discretion of the commission. (e) Not later than March 6, 2026, the commission shall submit its report and recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the chairs of the joint committee on education, and the clerks of the house and senate. The department of elementary and secondary education shall publish the report on its website.
Resolved, (a) There shall be a special legislative commission to investigate and study state funding of special education services in the commonwealth. The commission shall examine the chapter 70 funding formula and the special education circuit breaker program and investigate how to improve state funding of special education services. (b) The commission shall consist of the following members: the secretary of education or his designee, who shall serve as chair; the commissioner of the department of elementary and secondary education, or his designee; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on education, or their respective designees; 1 member appointed by the president of the senate, who shall be an advocate for individuals with disabilities; 1 member appointed by the speaker of the house, who shall have expertise in transportation of students with disabilities; 1 member appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 member appointed by the house minority leader; the president of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Federation of Teachers; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees; the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education schools; and up to 3 additional individuals appointed by the chair. (c) All appointments shall be made not later than 90 days after the effective date of this act. (d) The commission shall make recommendations for: (i) changes to the chapter 70 calculation of foundation aid to accommodate increases in inflation and costs; (ii) changes to the chapter 70 required local contribution calculation; (iii) raising the threshold for or removing the cap on local contributions under chapter 70; (iv) reforming the penalty for localities deemed below effort in their contributions; (v) improving the special education circuit breaker program to better supplement local funding; and (vi) other matters related to special education funding subject to the discretion of the commission. (e) Not later than March 6, 2026, the commission shall submit its report and recommendations for proposed legislation to the senate and house committees on ways and means, the chairs of the joint committee on education, and the clerks of the house and senate. The department of elementary and secondary education shall publish the report on its website.