Amend CSHB 1525 (senate committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
SECTION ____.  Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 29.0012 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.0012.  SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES MATRIX. (a) The commissioner shall develop and periodically update materials for use in evaluating the special education services provided to a student under this subchapter, including:
(1)  a special education services matrix that:
(A)  identifies categories for special education services;
(B)  assigns intensity levels for the services in each category; and
(C)  produces an aggregate score to assign to each student enrolled in a special education program under this subchapter based on the intensity level of services the student requires across the categories; and
(2)  a handbook for using the special education services matrix to assist school districts in determining the nature and intensity levels of the special education services provided to a student under this subchapter.
(b)  In developing the materials under Subsection (a), the commissioner shall:
(1)  review and adapt, as appropriate, special education services matrixes used by other states; and
(2)  consult with stakeholders, including:
(A)  public school finance experts;
(B)  directors of school district special education programs;
(C)  superintendents of school districts;
(D)  public school campus administrators;
(E)  teachers certified in special education;
(F)  teachers certified in general education;
(G)  providers of special services that are described as "related services" under Section 29.002(2);
(H)  representatives of advocacy organizations with an interest in special education;
(I)  parents of students receiving special education services under this subchapter; and
(J)  any other person or organization the commissioner considers appropriate.
(c)  The commissioner of education shall develop a proposal for a method of funding for special education services based on the special education matrix developed under Subsection (a). The proposal must include:
(1)  recommendations to the legislature for changes to the public school finance system necessary to transition the financing of special education services provided by school districts from the special education allotment under Section 49.102 to an allotment based on the nature and intensity levels of the special education services provided by districts; and
(2)  a transition plan for implementing the recommendations under Subdivision (1), including a recommended timeline for implementation.
(d)  The commissioner shall confer with the Legislative Budget Board to develop the proposal under Subsection (c).
(e)  Not later than September 1, 2022, the commissioner shall submit written or electronic copies of the materials developed under Subsections (a) and (c) to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the members of the standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over public education, and shall provide revised materials as soon as practicable after each periodic update of the materials.