Floor Packet Page No. 79                                                    



	

Amend HB 2 as follows:                                                       

	(1)  On page 6, between lines 18 and 19, insert the following:                 

	(f)  The study required by Subsection (e) must include a 

component on funding elements relating to special education 

programs and services. The special education component must include 

a review of the current funding elements relating to special 

education program and services, an analysis of funding mechanisms 

used by other states, the solicitation and consideration of 

recommendations from persons with expertise in the area of special 

education, a review of best practices in the area of special 

education, and the development of recommendations for a funding 

system that supports success for students with disabilities and 

that appropriately recognizes the variance in needs for specialized 

services, including related services, without providing fiscal 

incentives to improperly identify or fail to identify students who 

need special education services. Regardless of the date on which 

the report under Subsection (e) is required to be submitted, the 

board shall submit a report on the results of the special education 

component required by this subsection to the commissioner and the 

legislature not later than December 1, 2006. This subsection 

expires January 1, 2007.

	(2)  On page 9, line 27, strike "Except as provided by 

Subsection (m), funds" and substitute "Funds".

	(3)  On page 11, strike lines 11-15.                                           

	(4)  On page 101, strike lines 17-20 and substitute the 

following:           

	Sec. 29.0164.  SPECIAL EDUCATION HEARING OFFICER: CONFLICT OF 

INTEREST PROVISIONS. A special education hearing officer may not 

accept employment or compensation from a school district during a 

school year in which the hearing officer presides over a hearing to 

which the district is a party.