Amend CSHB 4 (house committee report) on page 3, between lines 8 and 9 by inserting the following:
Sec. 29.16399. HIGH QUALITY PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM AS PILOT PROGRAM. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, the commissioner shall operate the high quality prekindergarten program under this subchapter as a pilot program in accordance with this section.
(b) The commissioner must:
(1) operate the pilot program until August 31, 2021;
(2) authorize the distribution of not more than $25 million per state fiscal year for the pilot program; and
(3) annually evaluate implementation of high quality prekindergarten programs under this subchapter to measure the benefits of high quality prekindergarten programs and weigh benefits against a control group.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2020, the commissioner shall compile a report regarding the continuation of the high quality prekindergarten program under this subchapter and submit the report to the legislature.
(d) This subchapter expires September 1, 2021.