1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing a task force to review special education 
1.3 	funding.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. TASK FORCE ON EDUCATION FUNDING FOR CHILDREN WITH 
1.6 	DISABILITIES.
 1.7 		Subdivision 1.Establishment and duties. A task force to review all aspects of the 
1.8 	state's special education funding system is established to recommend to the legislature 
1.9 	changes that are necessary to simplify and standardize the distribution of state aid for 
1.10 	special education. At a minimum, the task force shall consider and suggest legislative 
1.11 	changes for a weighted or points-based system that would be associated with each special 
1.12 	education student and used as a multiplier for determining state aid.
1.13 		Subd. 2.Membership. The task force must consist of 12 members appointed by the 
1.14 	commissioner of education. The membership must include two parents of children with 
1.15 	disabilities, four special education directors, two school administrators, one representative 
1.16 	of an advocacy organization for children with disabilities, and three school board members 
1.17 	from geographically diverse areas of the state. The commissioner shall be an ex officio 
1.18 	voting member of the task force.
1.19 		Subd. 3.Staff support. The Department of Education and any other state agency 
1.20 	shall provide information and other assistance requested by the task force.
1.21 		Subd. 4.Report. The task force shall submit its report to the house of representatives 
1.22 	and senate committees having jurisdiction over special education before January 15, 2008.
1.23 		Subd. 5.Expiration. This section expires January 30, 2008.