JLM S.B. 297 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC EDUCATION S.B. 297 By: Bivins (Junell) 5-1-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, the financing of the $30 per student public school technology allotment has been shifted from the Foundation School Program to the Textbook Fund. The Textbook Fund consists of revenues transferred from the Available School fund and covers the costs of textbooks used by school districts every year. PURPOSE S.B. 297 repeals the provision allowing additional Available School Fund revenue to be used to increase the technology allotment clarifying the state law on the allocation of these funds. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.021(b), Education Code, to require the State Board of Education to determine the amount of the available school fund to set aside for the state textbook fund based on a requirement to provide an allotment to be distributed to each district equal to $30 per student in average daily attendance, or a greater amount for any year provided by appropriation, rather than as determined under Subsection (c). SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 31.021(c), Education Code (State Textbook Fund). SECTION 3. (a) Provides that if this Act receives votes required by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution, for an effective date before the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session, this Act takes effect immediately, and applies beginning with the 1996-1997 school year. Otherwise this Act takes effect September 1, 1997, and applies beginning with the 1997-1998 school year. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.