SRC-MSY S.J.R. 32 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.J.R. 32
78R1250 BDH-DBy: Janek
Education
3/13/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under the current school finance system, public schools receive funding
from both the state and the local school district.  However, current laws
do not specify which aspects of the educational system are to be funded by
the state and which are to funded by the district.  S.B. 682 has been
filed to distinguish between the financial responsibilities of the state
and those of the school districts as regards public education.  As
proposed, S.J.R. 32 makes the constitutional amendments necessary for the
implementation of S.B. 682, and requires the constitutional amendment to
be brought to the voters on November 4, 2003. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 1, Article VII, Texas Constitution to require
the legislature to provide for the cost of classroom teacher salaries and
statewide teacher benefits, and to provide assistance to certain school
districts, as determined by the legislature, for maintenance and
construction of school facilities, in addition to other existing
obligations of the legislature under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Repealer:  Section 3(b), Article VII, Texas Constitution
(Independent School Districts and Junior College Districts; Taxes and
Bonds; Changes in Boundaries). 

SECTION 3.  Requires the proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted
to the voters at an election on November 4, 2003.  Specifies the text to
be printed on the ballot to permit voting for or against the proposition.