BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 37
By: Eltife, Ellis
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Resources for classrooms and adequate compensation for teachers is essential for Texas students to succeed. S.B. 37 provides $295 million in funding for new textbooks, restores the $1,000 health insurance stipend for teachers and employees, and provides a $1,000 across-the-board salary increase for teachers in the first year of the biennium and an additional $1,000 increase in the second year.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the commissioner of education in SECTION 2 (Section 42.2516, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 21.402, Education Code, by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsections (c-1), (c-2), and (c-3), as follows:
(c-1) Entitles certain certified school employees, or a full-time school nurse, for the 2005-2006 school year, to a monthly salary that is at least equal to a certain sum, notwithstanding Subsection (a).
(c-2) Entitles certain certified school employees or a full-time school nurse for the 2006-2007 school year, to a monthly salary that is at least equal to a certain sum, notwithstanding Subsection (a).
(c-3) Provides that Subsections (c-1), (c-2) and this subsection expire September 1, 2007.
(d) Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 42, Education Code, by adding Section 42.2516, as follows:
Sec. 42.2516. ADDITIONAL STATE AID OR CREDIT AGAINST COST OF ATTENDANCE CREDITS FOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF SALARIES. (a) Entitles certain school districts to state aid in a certain amount, as determined by the commissioner of education (commissioner).
(a-1) Entitles certain school districts, for the 2005-2006 school year, to state aid in a certain amount, as determined by the commissioner, notwithstanding Subsection (a).
(a-2) Provides that Subsection (a-1) and this subsection expire September 1, 2006.
(b) Provides that a school district that is required to take action under Chapter 41 (Equalized Wealth Level) to reduce its wealth per student to the equalized wealth level is entitled to a certain credit, in a certain amount, for the district to purchase attendance credits.
(c) Provides that a determination by the commissioner under this section is final and is prohibited from being appealed.
(d) Authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules to implement this section.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 22.104, Education Code, as added by S.B. 1863, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, to provide that certain school districts and each regional education service center are entitled to funds in a certain amount.
SECTION 4. Repealer: Section 22.103, Education Code, as added by S.B. 1691, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005.
SECTION 5. Sets forth requirements for the delivery of textbooks for the 2005-2006 school year.
SECTION 6. Provides that it is the intent of the Legislature that the provisions in H.B. No. 1, Acts of the 79th Legislature, 1st Called Session, 2005, relating to funding for the provision of textbooks refer to an appropriation of $295 million for Proclamation 2002 textbooks for the 2005-2006 school year.
SECTION 7. Makes application of this Act prospective to the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year.
SECTION 8. Effective date: upon passage or the 91st day after adjournment.