SRC-SEW, MWN C.S.H.B. 2879 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 2879
77R16218 ESH-DBy: Sadler (Bivins)
Education
5/11/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current state policy regarding public education provides that the public
school finance system of Texas is required to adhere to a standard of
neutrality that provides for substantially equal access to similar revenue
per student at a similar tax effort.  C.S.H.B. 2879 increases the maximum
amount of wealth per student a school district may have for the 2001-2002
and 2002-2003 school years, amends provisions regarding the funding of
school districts that experience a decline in average daily attendance, and
increases the maximum existing debt tax rate to $0.29 cents per $100 of
valuation. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
any state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1 Provides that effective September 1, 2001, Section 41.002(a),
Education Code, a school district may not have a wealth per student that
exceeds $300,000, rather than $295,000. 

SECTION 2. Provides that effective September 1, 2002, Section 41.002(a),
Education Code, a school district may not have a wealth per student that
exceeds $305,000, rather than $295,000. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 42.005(b), Education Code, to require certain
school districts to be funded on the basis of certain factors.   

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 46.033, Education Code, to replace "1998-1999"
with "2000-2001." 

SECTION 5.  Amends Sections 46.034(a), Education Code, to prohibit the
existing debt tax rate ("EDTR") under Section 46.032 from exceeding $0.29,
rather than $0.12,  per $100 of valuation, or a greater amount for any year
provided by appropriation. 
 
SECTION 6.  Provides that, except as otherwise provided by this Act, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2001.