S.B. No. 204

AN ACT

relating to the operation of a public school transportation system.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 34.007, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (c) to read as follows:

(a) A board of county school trustees or a school district board of trustees may establish and operate an economical public school transportation system:

(1) in the county or district, as applicable; [or]

(2) outside the county or district, as applicable, if the county or school district enters into an interlocal contract as provided by Chapter 791, Government Code; or

(3) outside the district if students enrolled in the district reside outside the district and the district:

(A) has an active policy adopted by the board that prohibits screening transfer students who reside outside the district based on the student's academic performance, disciplinary history, or attendance record, regardless of any relevant district or innovation plan adopted by the board or authorization to screen transfer students under any other authority; and

(B) certifies that the district has:

(i) an overall performance rating of C or higher under Section 39.054 for the preceding school year or the most recent school year in which a performance rating was assigned;

(ii) an overall accountability score of 70 or higher for the preceding school year or the most recent school year in which a performance rating was assigned as calculated by the agency for purposes of determining the district's overall performance rating under Section 39.054; and

(iii) the same or better overall performance rating under Section 39.054 for the preceding school year or the most recent school year in which a performance rating was assigned as the school district from which the district will transport students under this subdivision.

(a-1) A school district shall make publicly available on the district's Internet website information regarding the district's compliance with the requirements under Subsection (a)(3).

(c) This section may not be construed to prohibit a board of county school trustees or a school district board of trustees from operating a transportation system in another county or district, as applicable, to ensure the most efficient routes for transporting students who reside in the operating county or district.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 204 passed the Senate on April 12, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5; May 27, 2021, Senate refused to concur in House amendments and requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 28, 2021, House granted request of the Senate; May 30, 2021, Senate adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 204 passed the House, with amendments, on May 25, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 115, Nays 28, one present not voting; May 28, 2021, House granted request of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee; May 30, 2021, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 138, Nays 4, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

______________________________

Date

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Governor