[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6313309,"mediaKeyId","2388414-63f06267eb92688caec34e397a58bc40","parentId",2388414,"title","Majority proposal links teacher pay increases to state land trust distribution, seeks special election for funding change","audioSeconds",402,"startMs",1504539,"endMs",1906950,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388414-63f06267eb92688caec34e397a58bc40&start=1504&end=1906","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388414-63f06267eb92688caec34e397a58bc40/thumbnail_1504539.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313309/Arizona/Majority-proposal-links-teacher-pay-increases-to-state-land-trust-distribution-seeks-special-election-for-funding-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313309-da812ad5dc3f19973ef2a72284f276eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991721&Signature=TN9KbphqJV0Hetujaab3B5z8AOeiJEvUw76LVIKTRcUg8tvnSbonX333Xuqk4Bc7G9zGfI5Kf~JKm1~z5po0lWhsuwsfFRQfAKmT7stgtEKQt36kDQtkv60SbkeiXAQRj5KaGVtK5sUQARsb9-rNm7qGkz7UTKamkg~DzPzUUBPmRzLex2mBbUlnsu5eZPt1smTRWIwQcB~93AryA-vFMNsP5fZaCwg2tI4xpg9XhhUt9FkVunclA8Hl9jKOZSneqI4EozUl2tSowyrZIwD~7p2hCGVNHnm~Vz0BU~ETu1WbeSHKUYxMs9reKZGcVRcSt4CJFfzAJwlynfWGNi4-LA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arizona State Legislature","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","Lawmakers described a two‑part plan in floor remarks that would tie a proposed statewide teacher compensation program to an increase in annual distributions from the Arizona State Land Trust.

Representative Gwen presented the strike‑everything amendment to HB 21‑85, saying the measure would form “one half of the majority's proposal to continue funding from Proposition 123.” The bill, as described on the floor, would require each school district and charter school to revise salary schedules to increase the base salary of eligible teachers above the FY26 base salary and prohibit those increased salaries from being reduced below the FY26 base salary amount. The bill defines an \"eligible teacher\" as a full‑time district or charter teacher who spends a specified percentage of work time on instruction or supporting academic achievement; it excludes administrators and teachers who scored in either of the two lowest performance classifications on their evaluations. The measure would create a teacher pay fund and set calculation, compliance and reporting requirements.

Companion measure: Christina presented the strike‑everything amendment to HCR 02/1947. That resolution would prohibit the state or any state officer from reducing the annual distribution from the state land trust below the level in effect on the measure’s effective date unless three‑quarters of the legislature votes to do so. It would also require that any increase in expendable earnings resulting from a distribution above 2.5% of the average monthly market value of the fund for the preceding five calendar years be appropriated for a statewide classroom teacher compensation program to increase base salary and salary schedules for eligible classroom teachers. The resolution, as amended, directs the secretary of state to place the measure on a special election ballot in 2025 for voter approval.

Floor remarks and concerns: A member noted the bill is not final and flagged that it \"does not mention certified teachers,\" meaning the draft would make pay increases apply equally to uncertified instructors unless changed. Representative Grama spoke in support, saying the change would remove obstacles for Native students who live on tribal land and help ensure education access (her remarks were made in support of a separate residency transfer bill on the consent calendar). Representative Peshnikai also supported expanded access for students who travel from tribal land to neighboring districts.

Next steps: Sponsors said the HB 21‑85 draft on the floor is not final and indicated further work will be done. The HCR amendment includes an emergency and implementation timeline that would require legislative follow‑up to implement the teacher compensation program if voters approve the distribution change.

Ending: The pair of measures would move a funding decision to voters while creating a statutory framework for distributing any new money to teacher pay. Sponsors and some members signaled the bills will be refined further before final action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02/25/2025 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #6 & #7","oneSentenceSummary","A strike‑everything amendment to HB 21‑85 would require districts and charters to raise base teacher pay above FY26 levels if voters approve increased annual distributions from the state land trust; a companion measure (HCR 02/1947) would send that change to voters and direct any increase above 2.5% to a statewide teacher compensation program.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Arizona, Arizona","taxId",78572,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313314,"Arizona bill would end K‑12 \"rollover\" payments, raising risk of funding shortfalls for districts",369,50695,419898,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2388414-63f06267eb92688caec34e397a58bc40&start=50&end=419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2388414-63f06267eb92688caec34e397a58bc40/thumbnail_50695.jpg","/articles/6313314/Arizona/Arizona-bill-would-end-K12-rollover-payments-raising-risk-of-funding-shortfalls-for-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313314-cc7de7f3bbccdbaadfec3e12f5e3efe4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770991721&Signature=Dr-9biOv5~m93Rh1WZTX6bX-n8Y-SZD8Ax1bkQkrnefwaEefFPJhH3s3on7ZYci2cRtzK7gK21XZhnIUaCmrBEMfQY2QHqTsiDhbvF5m274nz80nI5YDjLxbba6Mav6INvXolfya3J74k6Et1sGcMncujWTUatIqMDFrfnmR4c48UjImK68skFGPT5YSF6s2Kz7Xiv4MNJ0u~Wu7rHjqseEUvrjVqmuG1YkNyNYUDH0HOtaZ~RxHtgHuPWy0QXOGqEltgHxbG0xX1QcDjp6JZNN1cxNdvRiWxoe3JGuV9Y5t~M31yMi7yvcoI6TXGIiqi~VZAcj1Vw6Wt7~62uidcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House members discussed House Bill 2919 on the floor, a measure to eliminate the state's long‑standing budget practice known as the rollover that defers one month of school funding into the next fiscal year.

The bill’s sponsor, Bridal, told members the rollover means \"we are paying our June payments to our public schools in July of the next fiscal year, so 1 month late\" and that HB 2919 \"eliminates and prohibits the rollover.\" Bridal said the current rollover amount is $800,700,000 and that the bill and a committee amendment were technical and had caused confusion in committee.

Why it matters: The rollover effectively moves a month of payments between fiscal years. Bridal and other members said removing it could force the state to find cash in the fiscal year when payments come due rather than deferring them. That could reduce funds available for other expenses or require drawing down one‑time reserves.

Members pressed for mechanics and fiscal impact. Ranking Member Still Hamilton and Representative Bill Hamilton questioned how the bill would interact with school districts’ reported \"debt cash,\" a district cash balance sometimes called \"dead cash\" that districts carry forward. Hamilton asked what would happen if districts reported $600 million in debt cash but the rollover is $800 million.

Bridal replied that the $600 million figure discussed in committee is debated and that the $600 million cited is from fiscal year 2024, not FY25. She said the practical effect if the numbers hold would be that the state would need to find the $200 million gap \"in the budget to pay our schools on time. It's not new money, but it would be a hit to the revenues that we have available.\" Bridal also cited the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), saying the committee’s most recent estimates showed about $935 million in available funding when certain adjustments are made. She told members that covering a potential $200 million shortfall would require using one‑time funds and acknowledged confusion over the one‑time totals, saying she was \"mixing my numbers up\" when trying to quote exact one‑time totals in committee.

Bridal and members gave a concrete example of the rollover interacting with district decisions: a district that used its debt cash in FY25 to pay a court‑ordered settlement (the transcript refers to a property tax case in Maricopa County) could show a smaller ending FY24 cash balance while still having used funds in FY25. Bridal said that situation could leave a district without sufficient dead cash to match the rollback calculation, and the state enforcement of the rollover could effectively reduce net funding for that district.

No formal vote on HB 2919 was recorded in the transcript segment provided. Members concluded the discussion and the bill’s sponsor indicated availability for follow‑up questions.

Ending: Sponsors characterized HB 2919 as a technical but consequential change to school cash flow. Members asked for and received budget context and cautioned that eliminating the rollover could require drawing on one‑time state funds or otherwise reduce revenues available in the coming fiscal year.","Legislators debated House Bill 2919, which would eliminate the practice of deferring June school payments into July. Sponsors and members warned the change could create a gap if districts' reported \"debt cash\" is lower than the rollover amount, possibly forcing the use of one‑time funds or reducing available operating revenue.","actionData","errors"]

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Majority proposal links teacher pay increases to state land trust distribution, seeks special election for funding change

Arizona bill would end K‑12 "rollover" payments, raising risk of funding shortfalls for districts