81R3917 JRJ-D
	By: Marquez	H.B. No. 1477

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the transportation allotment provided under the public
	school finance system.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 42.155, Education Code, is amended by
	amending Subsections (c), (e), and (g) and adding Subsections
	(c-1), (c-2), (c-3), (e-1), (e-2), (e-3), (g-1), (g-2), and (g-3)
	to read as follows:
	(c)  Each district or county operating a regular
	transportation system is entitled to an allotment based on the
	daily cost per regular eligible student of operating and
	maintaining the regular transportation system and the linear
	density of that system. In determining the cost, the commissioner
	shall give consideration to factors affecting the actual cost of
	providing these transportation services in each district or county.
	The average actual cost is to be computed by the commissioner and
	included for consideration by the legislature in the General
	Appropriations Act.
	(c-1)  The allotment per mile of approved route under
	Subsection (c) is computed as follows:
	Linear Density Grouping  Allocation Per Mile of
	Approved Route
	2.40 and above$3.69
	1.65 to 2.403.22
	1.15 to 1.652.86
	.90 to 1.152.50
	up to .902.27
	[may not exceed the amount set by appropriation].
	(c-2)  Subsection (c-1) applies beginning with the 2014-2015
	school year. For the 2009-2010 through the 2013-2014 school years,
	the allotment per mile of approved route under Subsection (c) is an
	amount equal to the product of the amount for each linear density
	grouping established in Rider 4, page III-7, Chapter 1369, Acts of
	the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005 (the General
	Appropriations Act), and:
	(1)  for the 2009-2010 school year, 1.263;
	(2)  for the 2010-2011 school year, 1.526;
	(3)  for the 2011-2012 school year, 1.789;
	(4)  for the 2012-2013 school year, 2.052; or
	(5)  for the 2013-2014 school year, 2.315.
	(c-3)  Subsection (c-2) and this subsection expire September
	1, 2015.
	(e)  The commissioner may grant an amount [set by
	appropriation] for private or commercial transportation for
	eligible students from isolated areas. The need for this type of
	transportation grant shall be determined on an individual basis and
	the amount granted shall not exceed the actual cost. The grants may
	be made only in extreme hardship cases. A grant may not be made if
	the students live within two miles of an approved school bus route.
	(e-1)  The maximum allotment for private or commercial
	transportation under Subsection (e) is an amount equal to the
	lesser of $0.64 per mile or $2,107 per eligible student.
	(e-2)  Subsection (e-1) applies beginning with the 2014-2015
	school year. For the 2009-2010 through the 2013-2014 school years,
	the maximum allotment under Subsection (e) is an amount equal to the
	product of the lesser of $0.25 per mile or $816 per eligible student
	and:
	(1)  for the 2009-2010 school year, 1.263;
	(2)  for the 2010-2011 school year, 1.526;
	(3)  for the 2011-2012 school year, 1.789;
	(4)  for the 2012-2013 school year, 2.052; or
	(5)  for the 2013-2014 school year, 2.315.
	(e-3)  Subsection (e-2) and this subsection expire September
	1, 2015.
	(g)  A school district or county that provides special
	transportation services for eligible special education students is
	entitled to a state allocation paid on a previous year's
	cost-per-mile basis. [The maximum rate per mile allowable shall be
	set by appropriation based on data gathered from the first year of
	each preceding biennium.] Districts may use a portion of their
	support allocation to pay transportation costs, if necessary. The
	commissioner may grant an amount set by appropriation for private
	transportation to reimburse parents or their agents for
	transporting eligible special education students. The mileage
	allowed shall be computed along the shortest public road from the
	student's home to school and back, morning and afternoon. The need
	for this type of transportation shall be determined on an
	individual basis and shall be approved only in extreme hardship
	cases.
	(g-1)  The maximum allotment for special transportation
	services under Subsection (g) is an amount equal to the lesser of
	$2.78 per mile or $2,107 per eligible special education student.
	(g-2)  Subsection (g-1) applies beginning with the 2014-2015
	school year. For the 2009-2010 through the 2013-2014 school years,
	the maximum allotment for special transportation services under
	Subsection (g) is an amount equal to the product of the lesser of
	$1.08 per mile or $816 per eligible special education student and:
	(1)  for the 2009-2010 school year, 1.263;
	(2)  for the 2010-2011 school year, 1.526;
	(3)  for the 2011-2012 school year, 1.789;
	(4)  for the 2012-2013 school year, 2.052; or
	(5)  for the 2013-2014 school year, 2.315.
	(g-3)  Subsection (g-2) and this subsection expire September
	1, 2015.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2009.