BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 4124
87R16937 MEW-F	By: Hinojosa (Perry)
	Education
	5/19/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Section 11.351, Texas Education Code, permits the State Board of Education (SBOE) to establish a special-purpose school district for the education of students in special situations whose educational needs are not adequately met by traditional school districts. SBOE has authorized Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at Austin to each establish a special-purpose school district to provide full-time, remote, and asynchronous instruction to meet non-traditional student needs. Historically, students wanting to attend these schools paid tuition. H.B. 3 (86R) created a new funding allotment for special-purpose school districts operated by institutions of higher education under Texas Education Code, Chapter 48. The option of state funding will dramatically increase the access of parents and students to these schools if the commissioner adopts a funding model to support access to these districts.

Over 100,000 military-connected students are enrolled throughout Texas public schools. Military-connected students in active-duty families are particularly unique because they must move every few years as their parents change duty stations. These students must adapt to new curricula and graduation requirements with every move. These special-purpose districts need access to different options to support military-connected students during and through their educational experiences.

In anticipation for the growth in demand for access to these special-purpose districts, H.B. 4124 seeks to support military-connected children by allowing the university-based special-purpose districts to:

� Prioritize military-connected students when enrolling students or creating waitlists for enrollment; and

� Specify that the special-purpose district can receive funding for a student, if the student:  is a dependent of a member of the US military; was previously enrolled in school in this state; and does not reside in this state due to a military deployment or transfer.

H.B. 4124 amends current law relating to student enrollment in certain special-purpose districts and the allotment under the public school finance system for those districts.

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 11.351, Education Code, by adding Subsection (c), as follows:

(c) Authorizes a special-purpose school district established under this section that is operated by a general academic teaching institution, as that term is defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions), to:

(1) in enrolling students or creating a waitlist for student enrollment, prioritize military-connected students, as that term is defined by Section 25.006(d); and

(2) enroll a student who is a dependent of a member of the United States military, was previously enrolled in school in this state, and does not reside in this state due to a military deployment or transfer.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 48.053(b), Education Code, as follows:

(b) Provides that a school district to which Section 48.053 (Allotment for Certain Special-Purpose School Districts) applies, is entitled to funding under Chapter 48 (Foundation School Program) as if the district had no tier one local share for purposes of Section 48.256 (Local Share of Program Cost (Tier One)) for certain students enrolled in the district, including a student who is a dependent of a member of the United States military, was previously enrolled in school in this state, and does not reside in this state due to a military deployment or transfer.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.