SB 7 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATIONAL EQUITY.

SB 7 updates Connecticut's base funding level for public schools (called "Foundation") to increase annually from $11,525 (2014-2026) to $15,500 (2031+) with inflation adjustments. It also revises the "Regional bonus" calculation for towns sending students to regional schools or paying high school tuition. The bill's primary mechanism creates a 13-member working group (including school officials, teachers, students, and community representatives) to study the state's equalization aid formula and recommend improvements for equity and fiscal soundness. This group will examine how state education funding is distributed, aiming to address disparities between school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, with the working group established immediately upon passage.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 4, 2026 Last action Apr 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Bill → ED Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill updates the definition of 'Foundation' to reflect new funding amounts for fiscal years 2014 through 2026, replacing the previous specific dollar amounts with a new structure that includes higher base amounts and a mechanism for annual adjustment based on personal income or inflation. Additionally, the working group composition was modified to include representatives from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education and the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, while removing the requirement for a representative of the Connecticut Education Association.

Scope change

The scope of the funding definition was expanded to cover fiscal years through 2031 with an automatic adjustment clause, and the composition of the oversight working group was altered to include different educational associations.

FISCAL

Updated the 'Foundation' definition to establish new base funding amounts for fiscal years 2014-2026 and introduced a formula for future years (2027+) that adjusts the foundation amount annually based on the greater of personal income growth or inflation.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the composition of the working group studying equalization aid, replacing the Connecticut Education Association representative with a representative of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education and adding a representative of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.

Adjusted the eligibility criteria for the working group by removing the ability of members appointed under subdivision (7) to serve as General Assembly members, limiting it to subdivisions (1) through (6).

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Full legislative history

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Committee

Apr 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable

upper

Apr 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

IMMEDIATE TRANSMITTAL TO COMMITTEE

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education

upper

37 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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