HB 5002 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION FUNDING, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS.

HB 5002 updates Connecticut's foundational education funding formula. It sets a base funding amount of $11,525 per student for fiscal years ending June 30, 2024-2026, then adjusts this amount annually based on the higher of personal income growth or inflation (as defined in state law) for all subsequent years. This change directly affects public school districts statewide by altering how state education funding is calculated and distributed. The bill does not modify specific programs for special education or early childhood services, as referenced in its title, but updates the core funding mechanism used to determine district allocations. The new formula takes effect July 1, 2026.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Last action Apr 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Raised Bill → ED Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to extend the funding timeline for magnet school programs through fiscal year 2030 and updated the page count to reflect the new text. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new definition for 'Sending town,' which clarifies the legal responsibility of towns sending students to choice programs, while an old definition for 'Receiving district' was removed.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding funding applicability was extended to include fiscal years ending after June 30, 2027, up to and including 2030.

TIMELINE

Funding provisions were updated to explicitly cover fiscal years ending June 30, 2014 through 2026, and added a specific provision for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027 and each year thereafter through 2030.

DEFINITION

A new definition for 'Sending town' was added to specify that it is the town legally responsible for educating resident choice program students who are sent to a choice program.

The previous definition for 'Receiving district' was deleted, likely because the term is no longer used or is defined elsewhere.

TECHNICAL

The bill header was changed from 'Raised Bill' to 'Substitute Bill' and the page count was updated from 30 pages to 29 pages.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

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Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

REF. BY HOUSE TO COMMITTEE ON Appropriations

lower

Mar 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education

lower

29 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

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