The bill proposes changes to the distribution of the lottery fund starting in the 2024-25 state fiscal year. The new distribution method would allocate funds as follows:
Changes to the Distribution:
First $3 Million:
The first $3 million will continue to go to the Outdoor Equity Fund.
Next $4 Million:
The next $4 million will go to the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund.
Remaining Funds (after the first $7 million):
10% to the Wildlife Cash Fund.
10% to the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Cash Fund.
30% to the Outdoor Equity Fund.
50% to the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund.
Comparison to Current Law:
Wildlife Cash Fund and Parks and Outdoor Recreation Cash Fund are receiving a smaller share (10% each) of the remaining funds, compared to the previous 25% each.
Outdoor Equity Fund and Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund will see increased allocations, with the Outdoor Equity Fund receiving an additional 30% of the remaining funds (up from 0% in the current system).
The Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund continues to receive 50% of the remaining funds, maintaining its significant share.
The redistribution aims to provide more funding for the Outdoor Equity Fund and Public School Capital Construction Assistance Fund, while reducing the share allocated to the Wildlife Cash Fund and the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Cash Fund. This reflects a shift in priorities to focus on outdoor equity and school capital construction assistance.
Summary
Current law distributes, to the extent available, the first $3 million
of the lottery fund to the outdoor equity fund, the next $3 million to the public school capital construction assistance fund, and any remaining money as follows:
•
25% to the wildlife cash fund;
•
25% to the parks and outdoor recreation cash fund; and
•
50% to the public school capital construction assistance fund.
For the 2024-25 state fiscal year and each state fiscal year
thereafter, the bill redistributes, to the extent available, the first $3 million of the lottery fund to the outdoor equity fund, the next $4 million to the public school capital construction assistance fund, and any remaining money as follows:
•
10% to the wildlife cash fund;
•
10% to the parks and outdoor recreation cash fund;
•
30% to the outdoor equity fund; and
•
50% to the public school capital construction assistance fund.
