Amend CSSB 1 (house committee report) in Article III of the bill, following the appropriations to the Texas Education Agency, by striking Rider 81, The Distribution of Federal Education Funds Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic (page III-27), and substituting the following appropriately numbered rider:

____.  Distribution of Federal Education Funds Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, and to the extent allowable under federal law or regulation, money appropriated under Section 13.01, Article IX, for distribution to public schools under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. No. 116-260), or the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. No. 117-2) shall be distributed by the Texas Education Agency to public schools in a timely manner in accordance with the terms of the applicable federal law.

(b)  To the extent authorized by federal law, money described by Subsection (a) of this rider that is appropriated to a state agency or institution other than the Texas Education Agency is reappropriated to the Texas Education Agency to be distributed as provided by this section.

(c)  Money described by Subsection (a) of this rider may not be used to reduce state funding for public schools appropriated by this Act.

(d)  A public school that receives money described by Subsection (a) of this rider shall use that money in accordance with the terms of the applicable federal law. It is the intent of the legislature that the use of that money not be restricted by the state or a state agency other than as required by federal law.

(e)  The provisions of this section apply regardless of whether the state obtains a waiver from the United States Department of Education from a maintenance of effort requirement or other condition attached to money described by Subsection (a) of this rider.