BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    




                    Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
                                           164 (Harman)
          Hearing Date:  8/22/02          Amended: 8/12/02       
          Consultant:  Bob Franzoia           Policy Vote: Ed  10-0
          ____________________________________________________________ 
          ___
          BILL SUMMARY: 
          
          AB 164 would require the State Department of Education  
          (SDE) to administer a statewide program of grant funding,  
          subject to the availability of federal funds, to support  
          special education local plan areas (SELPAs) in conducting  
          alternative dispute resolution programs for resolving  
          special education disputes.  The bill would state the  
          intent of the Legislature to make $300,000 available for  
          the program on an annual basis from federal funds.  The  
          provisions of the bill would be repealed on 1/1/09. 

                              Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
           
          Major Provisions            2002-03             2003-04              
           2004-05            Fund  
          
          Special education                      $300 annuallyFederal
          dispute resolution
          program (SDE)

          Grants                        Unknown, major costs Federal
                                                             
          STAFF COMMENTS: SUSPENSE FILE.

          The SDE would be required to establish and administer a  
          statewide program of grant funding to establish alternative  
          dispute resolution programs.  The program would include:
          - An annual planning and training conference.
          - An annual statewide conference for all implementers of  
          alternative dispute resolution programs.

          SELPAs would be eligible to receive grants of $50,000  
          annually for up to three years and would be eligible to  
          receive grants of $25,000 annually for ongoing funding plus  
          $0.25 per average daily attendance.  The bill would require  
          the SDE to select grant recipients that are broadly  
          representative of the state.

          To the extent SELPAs can resolve disputes at the local  










          level, there would be a reduction in the amount and cost of  
          litigation and compliant investigation at the state level.