SRC-JLB H.B. 1844 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 1844 78R17234 SLO-DBy: Grusendorf (Shapiro) Education 5/21/2003 Committee Report (Amended) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, teachers are using personal funds to supply school classrooms but are not being reimbursed for such expenses. H.B. 1844 establishes a reimbursement program for teachers who expend personal funds for classroom supplies. This bill also provides that the funds provided under this program are to be used solely for the benefit of students. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 1 (Section 21.413, Education Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, by adding Section 21.413, as follows: Sec. 21.413. CLASSROOM SUPPLY REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM. (a) Requires the commissioner of education (commissioner) to establish a reimbursement program under which the commissioner provides funds to a school district for the purpose of reimbursing classroom teachers in the district who expend personal funds on classroom supplies. Requires a school district to match any funds provided to the district under the reimbursement program with local funds to be used for the same purpose. (b) Requires the commissioner to adopt rules for the local allocation of funds provided to a school district under the reimbursement program. Requires a school district to allow each classroom teacher in the district who is reimbursed under the reimbursement program to use the funds in the teacher's discretion, except that the funds must be used for the benefit of the district's students. Prohibits a school district from using funds received under the reimbursement program to replace local funds used by the district for the same purpose. (c) Requires the commissioner to identify state and federal funds available for use under the reimbursement program, including funds subject to the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 (20 U.S.C. Section 5891a et seq.), and its subsequent amendments, as well as consolidated administrative funds. (d) Requires the commissioner to establish the reimbursement program for implementation beginning not later than the 2005-2006 school year. Authorizes the commissioner to implement the reimbursement program only if funds are specifically appropriated by the legislature for the program or if the commissioner identifies available funds, other than general revenue funds, that may be used for the program. SECTION 2. Requires the commissioner to adopt rules and establish the classroom supply reimbursement program as required by Section 21.413, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than August 1, 2005. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003. LIST OF COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS Committee Amendment No. 1: On page 2, between lines 11 and 12, insert "(e) The legislature may not appropriate funds from the general revenue fund for the reimbursement program during the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2007. This subsection expires September 1, 2007.".