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.