Bill Text: TX HB3951 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to a pilot program using average enrollment for purposes of the public school finance system.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-20 - Referred to Public Education [HB3951 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3951-Introduced.html
  88R13108 KJE-D
 
  By: Hinojosa H.B. No. 3951
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a pilot program using average enrollment for purposes
  of the public school finance system.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 48, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 48.0052 to read as follows:
         Sec. 48.0052.  AVERAGE ENROLLMENT PILOT PROGRAM. (a)  The
  commissioner by rule shall establish a pilot program under which
  participating school districts and open-enrollment charter schools
  receive funding under the public school finance system based on
  average enrollment instead of average daily attendance.
         (b)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
  must apply to participate in the pilot program.
         (c)  To the extent practicable, the commissioner shall
  approve for participation in the pilot program:
               (1)  five school districts with a student enrollment as
  follows:
                     (A)  one district with a student enrollment of
  1,500 or less;
                     (B)  one district with a student enrollment of
  more than 1,500 but not more than 5,000;
                     (C)  one district with a student enrollment of
  more than 5,000 but not more than 20,000;
                     (D)  one district with a student enrollment of
  more than 20,000 but less than 50,000; and
                     (E)  one district with a student enrollment of
  50,000 or more; and
               (2)  three open-enrollment charter schools of three
  different sizes, as determined by the commissioner.
         (d)  Under the pilot program, the commissioner shall, for
  each participating school district or open-enrollment charter
  school, for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years:
               (1)  reduce by $200 the amount of the basic allotment
  determined under Section 48.051 for each student enrolled in the
  district or school;
               (2)  calculate the district's or school's entitlement
  under Chapter 46 and this chapter using the average number of
  students enrolled at the district or school instead of the
  district's or school's average daily attendance determined under
  Section 48.005; and
               (3)  make the payments from the foundation school fund
  to the district or school under Section 48.273 in four equal amounts
  on or before dates determined by commissioner rule.
         (e)  Not later than December 1, 2024, the commissioner shall
  submit to the legislature a written report on the results of the
  pilot program and any recommendations for legislative or other
  action.
         (f)  The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
  implement the pilot program.
         (g)  This section expires September 1, 2025.
         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, 2023.
feedback