SRC-ARR S.B. 591 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 591 76R6200 ESH-DBy: Shapiro Education 4/6/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, in Texas more than 80 percent student enrollment growth over the past five years has been concentrated in just 12 percent of the school districts. Since 1992-1993, these fast growth districts have grown at an average rate of 17 percent, compared to 4 percent for other districts in the state. Along with the growing numbers of students comes an increase in the demands for facilities and budgets to operate them. S.B. 591 provides funding for school districts that open new schools or expand existing schools PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 591 provides funding for school districts that open new schools or expand existing schools and authorizes the commissioner of education to adopt rules. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1(Section 42.158(e), Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 42C, Education Code, by adding Section 42.158, as follows: Sec. 42.158. NEW OR EXPANDED INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITY ALLOTMENT. Provides that a school district is entitled to an additional allotment as provided by this section for operational expenses associated with opening a new or expanding an existing instructional facility. Provides that for the first and second school year in which students attend a new instructional facility, a school district is entitled to an allotment of $500 for each student in weighted average daily attendance at the facility. Provides that for the first year that begins following an expansion of instructional space in an existing instructional facility that is designed to accommodate an increase of at least 10 percent in the number of students in weighted average daily attendance at that facility, a district is entitled to an allotment of $250 for each additional student in weighted average daily attendance at that facility. Sets forth for the purpose of this section the formulas for determining the number of students in weighted average daily attendance and the number of additional students in weighted average daily attendance at facility. Authorizes the commissioner of education to adopt rules necessary to implement this section. Defines "instructional facility." SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.