Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §1677, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 712, §1, is amended to read:

2. Determination of effectiveness of increased state support for public education in reducing property tax. Beginning in fiscal year 2006-07 and ending in fiscal year 2009-10, the committee shall meet annually on or about June 15th and, in coordination with the development of budget estimates pursuant to section 1665, determine whether the state share percentage of the total costs of essential programs and services described in Title 20-A, section 15671, subsection 7 was met in the prior fiscal year and to determine whether this level of state funding resulted in a reduction of the related local property tax commitment required to fund the costs of essential programs and services described in Title 20-A, section 15671 in the prior fiscal year. The committee's determination must be based on consideration of the following information developed by the Department of Education regarding each municipality and the statewide aggregate for the prior fiscal year:

A. The total state and municipal spending for public education services for kindergarten to grade 12;

B. The total costs of the essential programs and services described in Title 20-A, section 15671;

C. The total state appropriation for public education services for kindergarten to grade 12; and

D. The total local property tax commitment to support the provision of public education services for kindergarten to grade 12, municipal services and the local share of the county budget apportioned pursuant to Title 30-A, section 706.

Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§1, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 660, §1, is repealed.

Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§1, ¶B, as amended by PL 2003, c. 712, §9, is further amended to read:

B. By fiscal year 2009-10 2005-06 the state share of the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12, as described by essential programs and services, must be 55%. Beginning in fiscal year 2005-06 and in each fiscal year until fiscal year 2009-10, the state share of essential programs and services described costs must increase toward the 55% level required in fiscal year 2009- 10.