AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The 83rd Legislature created the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program and the mathematics and science teacher investment fund.  This program is designed to assist Texas teachers in repaying higher education loan debt if they choose to teach math or science in a school district identified as a Title I school.

 

Currently, the mathematics and science teacher investment fund may receive and collect gifts, grants, and other donations. S.B. 686 allows the fund to also receive general revenue as appropriated by the legislature.

 

As proposed, S.B. 686 amends current law relating to the mathematics and science teacher investment fund for the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program.

 

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 Section 61.9837(b), Education Code, as follows:

 

(b) Provides that the mathematics and science teacher investment fund is a dedicated account in the general revenue fund and consists of:

 

(1) Makes a nonsubstantive change;

 

(2) any amounts appropriated by the legislature for the fund; and

 

(3) Creates this subdivision from existing text. Makes no further change to this subdivision.

 

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 61.9837(f) (prohibiting the legislature from appropriating general revenue to the fund), Education Code.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.