88R1690 MEW-D
 
  By: Vasut H.B. No. 557
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of an educational expenses
  reimbursement program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 33, Education Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter H to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER H. EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
         Sec. 33.301.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Parent" means a resident of this state who is a
  natural or adoptive parent, managing or possessory conservator,
  legal guardian, custodian, or other person with legal authority to
  act on behalf of a child.
               (2)  "Program" means the educational expenses
  reimbursement program established under this subchapter.
         Sec. 33.302.  ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.  (a)  The
  comptroller shall establish and administer an educational expenses
  reimbursement program to provide reimbursement to parents for
  eligible education-related expenses.
         (b)  The comptroller, with cooperation from the agency,
  shall ensure that information about the program is readily
  available to the public through various sources, including the
  agency's Internet website.
         Sec. 33.303.  ELIGIBLE EDUCATION-RELATED EXPENSES.  (a)  A
  parent may only be reimbursed under the program for the following
  expenses incurred by a parent:
               (1)  tuition and fees:
                     (A)  at a private school accredited by an
  organization that is recognized by the Texas Private School
  Accreditation Commission; or
                     (B)  for an online educational course or program;
               (2)  the purchase of textbooks or other instructional
  materials required by a school, course, or program;
               (3)  fees for classes or other educational services
  provided by a public school;
               (4)  fees for services provided by a private tutor or
  teaching service;
               (5)  costs of transportation to and from school;
               (6)  for a child with a disability, fees for
  educational therapies or services provided by a practitioner or
  provider;
               (7)  costs of computer hardware and software and other
  technological devices necessary to facilitate a child's education;
               (8)  fees for a nationally norm-referenced achievement
  test or examination, an assessment instrument adopted by the agency
  under Section 39.023, an advanced placement test or similar
  examination, or any other examination or assessment instrument
  related to college or university admission; and
               (9)  school supplies.
         (b)  An educational services provider or vendor of
  educational products must provide a parent with a receipt for each
  expense allowed under Subsection (a) charged by the provider or
  vendor to the parent.
         Sec. 33.304.  AMOUNT OF REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT.  Each year, a
  parent is entitled to receive a reimbursement payment from the
  state in an amount that is equal to the lesser of:
               (1)  the total amount of all eligible education-related
  expenses described by Section 33.303 incurred by the parent during
  the most recent federal income tax year; or
               (2)  the deduction amount for state and local sales and
  use taxes claimed by the parent on the parent's federal income tax
  return for the most recent federal income tax year.
         Sec. 33.305.  APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT.  A parent must
  apply for a reimbursement payment not later than December 31 of the
  year following the federal income tax year during which the parent
  incurred the eligible education-related expenses.  The application
  must be in the form and manner specified by the comptroller and
  include any information the comptroller determines to be necessary
  to administer this subchapter.
         Sec. 33.306.  VERIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY.  On receipt of an
  application under Section 33.305, the comptroller shall verify that
  the applicant is eligible for the reimbursement payment based on:
               (1)  information provided by the applicant; and
               (2)  if necessary, other information available to the
  comptroller, including information provided by the Internal
  Revenue Service.
         Sec. 33.307.  PAYMENT OF REIMBURSEMENT. The comptroller
  shall make a reimbursement payment under this subchapter by any
  means the comptroller determines appropriate, including by
  electronic funds transfer.
         Sec. 33.308.  RULES.  The comptroller shall adopt rules
  necessary to implement this subchapter, including rules for
  implementing this subchapter in a manner that ensures compliance
  with federal law regarding confidentiality of student educational
  information, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
  Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g).
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the comptroller of public accounts shall adopt the
  rules required by Section 33.308, Education Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.