LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 19, 2003

TO:	Honorable Kent Grusendorf, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:	John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB1479 by King (Relating to exempting school districts rated exemplary or recognized from certain laws and rules.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would limit on-site investigations conducted under Chapter 39 to federal compliance monitoring activities and on-site investigations of districts that were rated academically unacceptable for the preceding school year.  The bill would repeal the authorization to conduct on-site evaluations of low-performing campuses.

The bill would also expand the exemptions from provisions of the Education Code provided to school districts and campuses that are rated exemplary.  The expanded exemptions would include greater flexibility with regard to class size limitations, exemption from the requirement to employ certified teachers, exemption from PEIMS disciplinary data reporting, and exemption from restrictions on the use of funding received under the compensatory, career and technology, and gifted and talented education allotments.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Any measurable savings associated with these exemptions will depend upon local policy and decision making and cannot be accurately estimated.  However, it should be noted that any savings associated with additional exemptions such as these could be transitory if the campus or district does not continue to maintain an exemplary rating.

Source Agencies:	701 Central Education Agency
LBB Staff:	JK, CT, UP, PQ