Senate bill · S7788 (2025-26)

Permits the establishment of reserve funds for costs relating to special education

New York State Senate

Same as A10499, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Latest action Jun 5, 2026

Sponsor: Shelley Mayer (State Senator, District 37, Democratic/Working Families)

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 20, 2026. About our data

Summary

Permits the establishment of reserve funds for unanticipated costs relating to special education, provided that the amount in such fund shall not exceed four percent of the district's current school year budget.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the Education Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

Section one amends section 3651 by adding a new subdivision 1-c and amending subdivision 3-a to authorize school districts to establish a reserve fund for unanticipated costs related to special education. Districts must receive approval from voters to establish such a fund, but do not need to receive approval to use the funds. Section two provides the effective date.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

Committee

Education · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Education · New York State Senate.

Your position on this bill

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Cosponsors

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate

Democratic2
Republican2

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

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The sponsor's argument

Why Shelley Mayer says this is needed

The education law and general municipal law allow fiscally independent school districts to establish restricted reserve funds for several specific purposes, including capital reserves, for workers compensation liabilities, and tax certioraris, to cite a few examples. These funds allow districts to plan ahead and save for specific expenses. This legislation would create a new category of restricted reserve fund for unanticipated special education costs. Under this bill, districts could seek voter approval to establish a special education reserve fund. If approved, districts could retain up to 4% of their current school year's budget in the fund to use to pay for unanticipated special educa- tion costs, including services and transportation for students with disabilities. Districts across the state report an increase in the number of students with disabilities, including in students with significant needs. Many districts are struggling to budget for the increased cost of providing these students with the services and support they are entitled to under state and federal law. Particularly for small districts, even one or two new students with disabilities can pose significant financial chal- lenges, especially if these students enroll after the district's budget is approved by voters. This legislation will allow districts to plan ahead for new students with disabilities, ensuring these students can access the services they need, without compromising the school's budget.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

Vote: Committee vote · Education
Senate EducationMay 5, 2026Result: passed
(15) (0) (0) (0)
Vote: Committee vote · Education
Senate EducationMay 28, 2025Result: passed
(15) (0) (0) (0)

Full history

Jun 5, 2026
In committee
COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
May 7, 2026
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
May 6, 2026
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
May 5, 2026
1ST Report CAL.905
1ST REPORT CAL.905
NY Senate
Mar 6, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
NY Assembly

Show full history (6 earlier events)

Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
NY Senate
Jun 13, 2025
In committee
COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
Jun 4, 2025
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
May 29, 2025
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate
May 28, 2025
1ST Report CAL.1403
1ST REPORT CAL.1403
NY Senate
May 6, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
NY Senate

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.