79-1144. Children with disabilities; education; funds; department; expenditures authorized.

(1) Funds shall be appropriated by the Legislature to carry out sections 79-1142 to 79-1144 and 79-1147 and included in the budget of the department. The department is authorized to expend such funds upon proper vouchers approved by the department and warrants issued by the Director of Administrative Services for financial reimbursement to school districts, educational service units, special education cooperatives created by school districts, agencies, and parents or guardians, including (a) reimbursement pursuant to section 79-1129 for actual transportation expenses per year for children with disabilities a pro rata amount which shall be determined by the department from appropriations for special education approved by the Legislature based on all actual allowable transportation costs, (b) reimbursement for instructional aids and consultative, supervisory, research, and testing services to school districts, and (c) reimbursement for salaries, wages, maintenance, supplies, travel, and other expenses essential to carrying out the provisions for special education programs. Minor building modifications shall not be eligible for state reimbursement as an allowable expense. Applications for state reimbursement for actual transportation expenses shall be submitted to the department annually on a date and on forms prescribed by the department. Amendments to applications for actual transportation expenses shall be submitted on dates prescribed by the department.

(2) Any adjustment of payments pursuant to section 79-1065 caused by the failure of a school district to meet federal spending requirements under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as such act existed on January 1, 2019, may be used by the department to reimburse the United States Department of Education in the amount of the federal funds awarded to such school district or the amount of such adjustment, whichever is less.

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