AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The weights used to cover expenses associated with transportation, higher costs of living, special needs students, and others for school districts have not been updated for years and in some cases decades. H.B. 3646, 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, required the legislature to study the school finance weights during the 2009-2010 interim with the goal of making adjustments during the 82nd legislative session. Due to the budget situation during the term of the 82nd Legislature, the realignment never materialized.
Given the history of school finance lawsuits and the outdated information currently in the formula system, the 83rd Legislature should be prepared to re-evaluate the current funding system. This report would provide up-to-date information immediately preceding the start of the legislative session, which could then be used to bolster school finance bills.
S.B. 1303 requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to conduct a comprehensive review of the formula weights and to provide a report to the legislature no later than December 1, 2014. TEA is authorized to work with the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas, the Legislative Budget Board, and the state auditor, among other agencies.
As proposed, S.B. 1303 amends current law relating to a comprehensive review by the Texas Education Agency of weights, allotments, and adjustments under the public school finance system.
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 Subchapter A, Chapter 42, Education Code, by adding Section 42.012, as follows:
Sec. 42.012. COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCE WEIGHTS, ALLOTMENTS, AND ADJUSTMENTS. (a) Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to conduct a comprehensive review of weights, allotments, and adjustments under the public school finance system, including all current weights, allotments, and adjustments provided under this chapter and any additional weights, allotments, and adjustments that TEA determines may be appropriate.
(b) Authorizes TEA to contract with one or more consultants if necessary to enable TEA to perform its duties under this section.
(c) Requires the Legislative Budget Board, the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas, the state auditor, and any other state agency, official, or personnel to cooperate with TEA in carrying out its duties under this section.
(d) Requires TEA, not later than December 1, 2014, to provide a report that states the findings of the review conducted under this section, and includes recommendations for updated weights, allotments, and adjustments and any other statutory changes considered appropriate by TEA.
(e) Provides that this section expires January 1, 2015.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.