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.