Honorable Larry Taylor, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB1483 by Taylor, Larry (Relating to the creation of the Technology Lending Program to provide grants to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools.), As Introduced
Because the grant program established by the bill is paid with existing Instructional Materials Funds, no significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. However, school districts' Instructional Materials Allotment would be reduced to the extent the grant program established by the bill is funded.
The bill would amend the Education Code to allow the Commissioner to establish a technology lending program grant under which school districts and open-enrollment charter schools could provide students access to equipment necessary to access and use electronic instructional materials. The bill would require the Commissioner to consider certain elements when awarding grants; allow the Commissioner to recover funds not used in accordance with the terms of a grant as specified by the bill; and specify how the grant funds could be used by grantees.
The bill would allow the Commissioner to use up to $25 million from the state instructional materials fund under Section 31.021 each state fiscal biennium, or an amount determined by appropriation, and would require the cost of administering the grant be deducted from the total amount awarded to the grant. The bill would require the Commissioner to review the grant program and submit a report by January 1, 2019. The bill would take effect immediately if passed within necessary voting margins, or on September 1, 2017.
This analysis anticipates the bill would not result in a cost to the state since the technology lending program grant and administration of the grant would be funded through a set aside from the state instructional materials fund which is determined through appropriations, or based on a transfer from the Permanent School Fund to the Available School Fund.
Local Government Impact
School districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and other educational entities that receive an instructional materials allotment (IMA), in accordance with Section 31.0211, Education Code, would experience a decrease in the amount of the IMA as a result of the provisions of the bill. However, participating districts and charters may experience offsetting increases in funding for allowable purchases under the technology lending program.