evidence_text: Senator Albert offered the following amendment:
  
  1. Amend page 321, following line 22, by inserting:
  
  “ Sec. 61c. (1) From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated for 2026-2027 only an amount not to exceed $150,000,000.00 to districts and eligible CEPDs for the purposes described in this section.
  
  (2) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $75,000,000.00 for 2026-2027 to eligible CEPDs for a grant program described in this subsection to be distributed in rounds as follows:
  
  (a) To be eligible to receive funding in the first round of grants under this subsection, at least 50% of the area served by a CEPD must be located in an intermediate district that did not levy a vocational education millage in 2026. Each eligible CEPD described in this subdivision must apply in a form and manner prescribed by the department. An application must include the funding amount requested by the CEPD . Funding to an eligible CEPD under this subdivision must be equal to the quotient of the allocation under this subsection and the number of eligible CEPDs applying for funding in the first round of grants, or the individual CEPD’s requested funding amount, whichever is less.
  
  (b) If funding remains after the first round of grants under subdivision (a), the department may administer a second round of grants under this subsection. To be eligible to receive funding in the second round of grants, a CEPD must not have been eligible for funding in the first round of grants. Each eligible CEPD described in this subdivision must apply in a form and manner prescribed by the department. An application must include the funding amount requested by the CEPD . Funding to each eligible CEPD described in this subdivision must be equal to the quotient of the funds remaining after the first round of grants and the number of CEPDs applying for funding in the second round of grants.
  
  (c) At least 50% of the funding allocated to each eligible CEPD must be used to update equipment in current state-approved CTE programs that have been identified in the highest 5 career cluster rankings in any of the prosperity regions in the most recent CEPD regional strategic plans approved by the department, for training on new equipment, for professional development relating to computer science or coding or new equipment purchases, for the replacement of old or outdated equipment or new equipment in existing state-approved CTE programs that align with new technology used in industries, or for new and emerging certified state-approved CTE programs to allow CEPD administrators to provide programming in communities that will enhance economic development. The funding for equipment should be used to support and enhance community areas that have sustained job growth, and act as a commitment to build a more qualified and skilled workforce. In addition, each CEPD is encouraged to explore the option of leasing equipment from local private industry to encourage the use of the most advanced equipment.
  
  (d) The allocation of funds under this subsection at the local level must be determined by CEPD administrators using data from the state, region, and local sources to make well-informed decisions on program equipment improvements. Grants awarded by CEPD administrators for capital infrastructure costs related to the purchase of new equipment must be used to ensure that state-approved CTE programs can deliver educational programs in high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand occupations. Each CEPD shall continue to ensure that program advisory boards make recommendations on needed improvements for equipment that support job growth and job skill development and retention for both the present and the future.
  
  (3) From the funds allocated under subsection (1), there is allocated an amount not to exceed $75,000,000.00 for 2026-2027 to districts for grants to support new CTE programs. Funding in this subsection is intended to be allocated by the department over a 5-year period as follows:
  
  (a) An award under this subsection may be used by a district for capital, labor, and program development costs associated with starting a new CTE program in a CTE desert or in a district that has a career and technical education opportunity gap. As used in this subsection, “CTE desert” means a geographic area with limited or inequitable access to career and technical education programs, as determined by the department.
  
  (b) Eligible districts shall apply on a competitive basis for funding in a form and manner determined by the department.
  
  (c) Awards must be received by the district over a 5-year period, as follows:
  
  ( i ) In the first award year, the district shall receive reimbursement for 90% of the added costs of each new CTE program, as determined by the department.
  
  ( ii ) In the second award year, the district shall receive reimbursement for 80% of the added costs of each new CTE program, as determined by the department.
  
  ( iii ) In the third award year, the district shall receive reimbursement for 70% of the added costs of each new CTE program, as determined by the department.
  
  ( iv ) In the fourth award year, the district shall receive reimbursement for 60% of the added costs of each new CTE program, as determined by the department.
  
  ( v ) In the fifth award year, the district shall receive reimbursement for 50% of the added costs of each new CTE program, as determined by the department.
  
  (d) A district that receives an award under this subsection may also apply for and receive an award under section 61a. However, the department must subtract from the added costs calculated in that section any reimbursement the district receives under this subsection.
  
  (4) Not later than December 15 of each fiscal year, each CEPD and district that receives funding under this section shall annually report to the department, the senate and house appropriations subcommittees on school aid, the senate and house fiscal agencies, and the legislature on equipment purchased under this section. In addition, the report must identify growth data on program involvement, retention, and development of student skills.
  
  (5) The funds allocated under this section for 2026-2027 are a work project appropriation, and any unexpended funds for 2026-2027 do not lapse to the state school aid fund and are carried forward into 2027-2028. The purpose of the work project is to continue support for CTE equipment and new CTE programs. The estimated completion date of the work project is September 30, 2030.
  
  (6) Notwithstanding section 17b, the department shall make payments under this section on a schedule determined by the department.
  
  (7) As used in this section:
  
  (a) “ CEPD ” means a career education planning district described in this section.
  
  (b) “CTE” means career and technical education. ” and adjusting the totals in section 11 and enacting section 1 accordingly.
  
  The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.