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.".