Amend HB 2553 by inserting the following new SECTIONS,
appropriately numbered, and by renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of
the bill accordingly and shall include but not be limited to:
      SECTION ____.  Chapter 39, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter I to read as follows:
              SUBCHAPTER I.  FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
      Sec. 39.201.  FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY RATING SYSTEM.  (a)
The commissioner by rule shall establish a financial accountability
rating system for school districts, to be implemented beginning in
the 2001-2002 school year, based on:
            (1)  the findings of a district's annual audit report
under Section 44.008;
            (2)  the agency's review of a district's annual audit
report under Section 44.008(e); and
            (3)  quantitative performance data relating to a
district collected through the Public Education Information
Management System (PEIMS) established under Section 42.006.
      (b)  The financial accountability rating system shall compare
the performance of each school district on financial excellence
indicators with standards established by the commissioner.
      (c)  The commissioner shall in consultation with the
comptroller develop and implement the financial accountability
rating system.
      Sec. 39.202.  ANNUAL REPORTS.  (a)  Each year, starting with
the 2002-2003 school year, the agency shall prepare and distribute
to each school district a report that rates the district's prior
year performance on the financial excellence indicators.  The
report shall include the recommendations of the commissioner under
Section 44.008(e) and other appropriate recommendations.
      (b)  The board of trustees shall disseminate and publicize
the report in accordance with the rules of the commissioner.
      (c)  The report may be combined with other reports and
financial statements, including other reports under this chapter.
      SECTION ____.  Subsection (e), Section 44.008, Education
Code, is amended to read as follows:
      (e)  The audit reports shall be reviewed by the agency, and
the commissioner shall notify the board of trustees of objections,
violations of sound accounting practices or law and regulation
requirements, or of recommendations concerning the audit reports
that the commissioner wants to make.  If the audit report reflects
that penal laws have been violated, the commissioner shall notify
the appropriate county or district attorney, who shall thoroughly
investigate, and the attorney general.  The commissioner shall have
access to all vouchers, receipts, district fiscal and financial
records, and other school records as the commissioner considers
necessary and appropriate for the review, analysis, and passing on
audit reports.  Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, school
districts shall make available to the agency their complete audited
annual financial reports and management letters in an electronic
format to be determined by the commissioner.  The commissioner may
waive this requirement if it will unduly burden a district.
      SECTION ____.  Section 402.028, Government Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
      (d)  The attorney general shall ensure that prosecuting
attorneys and the general public are aware of the availability of
assistance under this section, including assistance in the
investigation and prosecution of crimes involving public school
funds.