SRC-ARR S.B. 594 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 594 By: Nelson Education 4/5/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, in Texas more than 80 percent of all student enrollment growth over the past five years has been concentrated in just 12 percent of school districts. As a result, 122 school districts absorbed almost 290,000 students since 1992-1993. These "fast-growth" districts grew at an average rate of 17 percent, compared to 4 percent for the other districts in the state. The state ranks school districts eligible for financial aid in the event of a funding shortfall. This ranking system is determined by property wealth, with districts having lower property wealth receiving higher priority. S.B. 594 would take growth into account for the ranking system. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 594 provides state assistance for certain school district instructional facilities projects. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 46.006, Education Code, to authorize a further reduction to be made for the purpose of this section if the a school district experienced substantial student enrollment growth during the preceding five-year period, in addition to any reduction of a district's wealth per student required under Subsection (a). Provides that the district's wealth is reduced by an additional five percent, if a district had enrollment growth of between 10 percent and 15 percent in the preceding five-year period. Provides that the district's wealth is reduced by an additional 10 percent, if a district had enrollment growth of between 15 percent and 30 percent in the preceding five-year period. Provides that the district's wealth is reduced by an additional 15 percent, if a district's enrollment growth exceeds 30 percent in the preceding five-year period. Requires the commissioner of education to calculate the enrollment growth over the preceding five-year period and adjust the ranking after making the reduction in wealth per student required by this subsection. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.