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.