“In a sense, we’re going to be supporting public schools and charter schools through the payment of our taxes,” Klemin said.

The overall fiscal impact of the bill is unclear. If students from traditional public K-12 schools switch to charter schools, the state would spend less to educate those students in per pupil payments. However, if private school or homeschool students begin attending public charter schools, the cost to the state would increase.

Senate Bill 2241 was approved by the Senate in February on a 40-7 vote.

The bill will now travel back to the Senate to concur with the House’s amended bill. If approved, it will go to the governor’s desk for his signature.