HF2895 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Education empowerment account program created, report required, and money appropriated.
Related bill: SF3303
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
The bill aims to establish a program for Education Empowerment Accounts (EEAs) in Minnesota. This program is designed to provide financial resources to eligible students and their families to cover various educational expenses, promoting educational choice and flexibility.
Main Provisions
Eligibility and Participation: Minnesota students eligible to enroll in public schools, from prekindergarten through grade 12, can participate in the program. Upon request, an individual EEA is created for each eligible student by their parent or guardian.
Funding and Use of Accounts: Each student's EEA will receive funding equal to the statewide average general education revenue per pupil, adjusted by grade level. Parents must use these funds for designated educational expenses, such as tuition, textbooks, exams, and educational therapies.
Account Regulations: The accounts can cover postsecondary costs if funds remain after high school graduation. If a student returns to a Minnesota public school, their EEA will be closed, and remaining funds will revert to the state.
Financial Management: State and federal funds will be allocated to these accounts annually. The Minnesota Commissioner of Education is responsible for overseeing the fund's management, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
Introduces a new Education Empowerment Account system to provide financial assistance directly to students for education-related expenses, encouraging personalized education pathways.
Establishes guidelines for the use and administration of these accounts, with potential impacts on school funding distributions and parental control over education spending.
Relevant Terms
education empowerment accounts, nonpublic schools, eligible student, educational expenses, state funds, federal funds, postsecondary education, account funding, Minnesota Department of Education
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 26, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Education Finance |
| April 02, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added | |
| April 02, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Specification that certain services must comply with sections 123B.84 to 123B.87."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill references transportation services and their regulation under sections 123B.84 to 123B.87.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies the exclusions related to transportation services."
]
},
"citation": "123B.84 to 123B.87",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "The bill refers to postsecondary institutions eligibility in accordance with section 124D.09, subdivision 3.",
"modified": [
"Referenced to establish the criteria for postsecondary institutions within the program."
]
},
"citation": "124D.09",
"subdivision": "subdivision 3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Defines student benefit calculations based on section 126C.10."
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "Refers to the calculation of the student education empowerment amount using general education revenue per pupil unit as detailed in section 126C.10.",
"modified": [
"Utilizes existing formula to determine new program's fiscal parameters."
]
},
"citation": "126C.10",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
""
],
"removed": [
""
],
"summary": "This bill amends provisions related to the calculation of the education empowerment amount utilizing grade-level weighting per section 126C.05.",
"modified": [
"Applies grade-level weighting as outlined in section 126C.05 for fund allocations."
]
},
"citation": "126C.05",
"subdivision": ""
}
]