Amend CSSB 1 (house committee printing) on page III-27, in the bill pattern of the Texas Education Agency, strike Rider 61, Strong Foundations Grant Program, and substitute the following new rider:

61.  Strong Foundations Grant Program. Included in appropriations above in Strategy A.2.1, Statewide Educational Programs, is $150,000,000 from the general revenue fund in fiscal year 2026 for the Strong Foundations Grant Program. Notwithstanding Rider 19, Limitations on the Transfer and Use of Funds, and notwithstanding the provisions of Article IX, Part 14, the Texas Education Agency may transfer funds appropriated by this rider between programmatic strategies as necessary to implement Texas Education Code, Section 29.0881.

The agency may transfer appropriations from the general revenue fund in an amount not to exceed 0.5 percent of the amount appropriated for the program during the 2026-27 biennium to Strategies B.3.2, Agency Operations, and B.3.5, Information Systems - Technology, for the purpose of providing administrative support.

To ensure effective monitoring of programs funded by this rider and the efficient use of public resources, the commissioner may use funds appropriated by this rider to develop tools necessary to collect, manage, and analyze performance data on programs funded by this rider. The commissioner shall notify the Legislative Budget Board at least 30 calendar days prior to the date the agency expects to expend funds for such purposes.

Any unexpended balances of these funds remaining as of August 31, 2026, are appropriated to the Property Tax Relief Fund and may be used only to reduce the state compression percentage pursuant to Section 48.255 of the Education Code.