IDEA Full Funding Act

Summary

Sets mandatory annual federal funding floors and minimum appropriations for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for fiscal years 2026–2035 and thereafter. For FY2026–2030 it prescribes fixed-dollar and percentage-based alternatives each year; for FY2031–2034 it specifies similar dollar-or-percentage alternatives tied to a calculated amount based on counts of children with disabilities; and for FY2035 and after it establishes a statutory floor equal to either a fixed dollar amount or a percentage of that calculated amount. Each year’s appropriated amount becomes available for obligation on July 1 of that fiscal year and remains available through September 30 of the following calendar year.

• Creates statutory annual funding floors and required appropriations for IDEA Part B for FY2026–2035 and beyond.
• Specifies both fixed-dollar and percentage-based alternatives for each year; the statute uses whichever is greater.
• Sets explicit dollar and percentage amounts for FY2026–2030, increasing each year.
• Transitions in FY2031–2034 to dollar-or-percentage minima tied to a calculated amount based on prior-year counts of children with disabilities.
• For FY2035 and later it establishes a long-term floor of at least $69,644,540,000 or 40% of the calculated amount (whichever is greater).
• Annual appropriations become available on July 1 of the fiscal year and generally remain available through September 30 of the following calendar year.
• Changes only funding levels and timing; it does not alter eligibility, service definitions, or the core IDEA program structure.
• Increases predictability of federal minimum funding for special education but links future minimums to reported child counts, which affects state allocations.