LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                                   Austin, Texas
         
                                   FISCAL NOTE
                               75th Regular Session
         
                                  April 1, 1997
         
         
      TO: Honorable Irma Rangel, Chair            IN RE:  House Bill No. 1940
          Committee on Higher Education                              By: Price
          House
          Austin, Texas
         
         
         
         
         FROM:  John Keel, Director    
         
In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on HB1940 ( Relating 
to the Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities at Lamar 
University at Beaumont.) this office has detemined the following:
         
         Biennial Net Impact to General Revenue Funds by HB1940-As Introduced
         
Implementing the provisions of the bill would result in a net 
negative impact of $(402,600) to General Revenue Related Funds 
through the biennium ending August 31, 1999.
         
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal 
basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions 
of the bill.
         
 
Fiscal Analysis
 
The bill would amend the section of the Texas Education Code 
establishing the Texas Academy of Leadership in the Humanities 
at Lamar University at Beaumont.  The bill would clarify the 
mission of the academy, make it eligible for allotments under 
the Foundation School Program, and address a number of administrative 
and financial issues.
 
Methodolgy
 
Currently, the Academy enrollment is 160 students.  It is assumed 
that enrollment would increase by 40 students a year.  

Academy 
students would be eligible for funding under the Foundation 
School Program.  However, the population likely to be admitted 
to the academy may not be comparable to that of a typical school 
district.  It is assumed students at the academy would require 
fewer special education services, would not receive funding-eligible 
career and technology education, would not generate transportation 
funding, would not participate in the national school lunch 
program (the funding basis for compensatory education), and 
would not be limited in English proficiency.

It is assumed 
that the eligible students would only qualify for regular program 
funding.  To the extent that a student leaves a public school, 
such as Beaumont ISD, for the academy, the state cost of the 
Foundation School Program would be reduced.  If a Beaumont ISD 
student in the regular program were to leave the public school, 
the state would save about $2,624 in regular program allotment.

Academy 
students would also generate a cost to the state based on Foundation 
School Program allotments and the local share of the program 
attributable to Beaumont ISD.  The funding calculation would 
be comparable to the mathematics and science academy at the 
University of North Texas.  A comparable calculation would result 
in a local share of approximately $2,533 per ADA, based on Beaumont 
ISD property wealth.  The small district adjustment would significantly 
increase the calculated allotment amount, because of the small 
size of the academy.  The estimated Foundation School Program 
cost per ADA for 350 students would be $3,448.  Therefore, the 
allocation to the academy is estimated to be $915 per ADA, or 
$320,250.

The Academy is also eligible to receive formula 
funding for college credit courses completed by Academy students, 
and could receive additional formula funding if the number of 
college credit courses increases.

The Academy also receives 
special item funding of approximately $43,000.  Additional special 
item funding could be provided for the increased enrollment 
and/or additional scholarships.
The probable fiscal implications of implementing the provisions 
of the bill during each of the first five years following passage 
is estimated as follows:
 
Five Year Impact:
 
Fiscal Year Probable           Change in Number   
            Savings/(Cost)     of State                                                                   
            from Foundation    Employees from                                                             
            School Fund        FY 1997                                                                    
            0193                                                                                           
       1998        ($183,000)               8.0                                                      
       1998         (219,600)               8.0                                                      
       2000         (256,200)               8.0                                                      
       2001         (292,800)               8.0                                                      
       2002         (320,250)               8.0                                                      
 
 
         Net Impact on General Revenue Related Funds:
 
The probable fiscal implication to General Revenue related funds 
during each of the first five years is estimated as follows:
 
              Fiscal Year      Probable Net Postive/(Negative)
                               General Revenue Related Funds
                                             Funds
               1998           ($183,000)
               1999            (219,600)
               2000            (256,200)
               2001            (292,800)
               2002            (320,250)
 
Similar annual fiscal implications would continue as long as 
the provisions of the bill are in effect.
          
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
          
   Source:            Agencies:   701   Texas Education Agency - Administration
                                         758   Texas State University System
                                         781   Higher Education Coordinating Board
                                         
                      LBB Staff:   JK ,LP ,DB