By Hochberg                                           H.B. No. 1427
         Line and page numbers may not match official copy.
         Bill not drafted by TLC or Senate E&E.
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to funding for extraordinary special education expenses.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1. Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding
 1-5     Section 29.016 to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 29.016.  HIGH COST SPECIAL EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT. (a)
 1-7     School districts may request reimbursement from the agency for up
 1-8     to 75 percent of the amount spent for special education and related
 1-9     support services for a specific student exceeding two times the
1-10     allotment specified in section 42.151 that applies to that student.
1-11           (b)  The agency shall reimburse eligible school districts to
1-12     the extent that funds are available within the amount specified in
1-13     the General Appropriations Act for this purpose.
1-14           (c)  The Commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this
1-15     section.
1-16           SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Texas Education Code,
1-17     Section 42.151 is amended by adding subsection (m) to read as
1-18     follows:
1-19           (m)  From the total amount of funds appropriated for special
1-20     education under this section, the commissioner shall withhold an
1-21     amount specified in the General Appropriations Act, and distribute
1-22     that amount to school districts for programs under Section 29.016.
 2-1     After deducting the amount withheld under this subsection from the
 2-2     total amount appropriated for special education, the commissioner
 2-3     shall reduce each district's allotment proportionately and shall
 2-4     allocate funds to each district accordingly.
 2-5           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 2-6     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 2-7     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 2-8     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 2-9     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.