72-3441. Special education funding task force; membership; duties. (a) There is hereby established the special education funding task force. The task force shall be composed of 12 members, as follows:

(1) One member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(2) one member appointed by the president of the senate;

(3) one member appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives;

(4) one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate;

(5) three members appointed by the board of directors of the Kansas association of school boards. Of such members, one member shall be from school districts having an enrollment of at least 12,000 pupils; one shall be from school districts having an enrollment of less than 12,000 but more than 1,636 pupils; and one shall be from school districts having an enrollment of 1,636 pupils or less;

(6) three members appointed by the board of directors of the united school administrators. Of such members, one member shall be from school districts having an enrollment of at least 12,000 pupils; one shall be from school districts having an enrollment of less than 12,000 but more than 1,636 pupils; and one shall be from school districts having an enrollment of 1,636 pupils or less. Members appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall include a person who is a chief financial officer of a school district and a person who is a director of special education services;

(7) one member appointed by the board of directors of the Kansas national education association; and

(8) the commissioner of education, or the designee thereof. The commissioner of education shall serve ex officio and shall be a nonvoting member of the task force.

(b) Members shall be appointed to the task force on or before July 1, 2008. The first meeting of the task force shall be called by the commissioner of education on or before August 1, 2008. Any vacancy in the membership of the task force shall be filled by appointment in the same manner prescribed by this section for the original appointment.

(c) (1) If approved by the legislative coordinating council, members of the task force attending regular or special meetings or subcommittee meetings authorized by the task force, shall be paid amounts for expenses, mileage and subsistence as provided in subsection (e) of K.S.A. 75-3223, and amendments thereto.

(2) The members of the task force shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from the membership of the task force.

(3) The task force may meet at any time and at any place within the state on the call of the chairperson. A quorum of the task force shall be six voting members. All actions of the task force shall be by motion adopted by a majority of those voting members present when there is a quorum.

(4) In accordance with K.S.A. 46-1204, and amendments thereto, the legislative coordinating council may provide for such professional services as may be requested by the task force.

(5) The staff of the office of the revisor of statutes, the legislative research department and the division of legislative administrative services shall provide such assistance as may be requested by the task force. Upon request of the task force, the state board of education shall provide consultants and assistance when requested by the task force. In addition and upon the request of the task force, the state board of education and school districts shall provide any information and supporting documentation requested by the task force.

(d) The special education funding task force shall:

(1) Study and make recommendations for changes in the existing formula for funding of special education and related services including, but not limited to, medicaid replacement state aid;

(2) conduct hearings and receive and consider suggestions from teachers, parents, the department of education, the state board of education, other governmental officers and agencies and the general public concerning funding for special education and related services; and

(3) make and submit reports to the legislature on the work of the task force concerning recommendations of the task force. Such reports also shall include recommendations for legislative changes and shall be submitted to the legislature on or before January 14th of each year.

(e) The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2011.

History: L. 2008, ch. 172, § 5; May 29.