Committee adopts minimum $34 million appropriation for early literacy from State Education Fund

Staff presented a draft to change the structure of State Education Fund transfers so that previously automatic transfers would instead be subject to annual appropriation. Staff noted existing transfers include $34,000,000 for early literacy and an amount into the teacher-of-the-year cash fund; the executive request for early literacy for 2026-27 was cited as roughly $35,500,000.

Debate focused on whether the bill should leave the amounts entirely subject to appropriation or include a minimum appropriation. Vice Chair Bridal said she supported moving forward "if we put in that, 34,000,000 minimum," arguing that including the minimum would preserve the statutory expectation to fund the REED Act. Senator Mable moved adoption of language to appropriate at least $34,000,000 for early literacy. The motion passed 6-0; staff were authorized to make technical changes including adding appropriations.

The committee treated this as a structural clarification to make transfers subject to appropriation while maintaining a floor for early literacy funding, and staff noted the language would not preclude future legislation that changes the minimum.