Texas House Bill HB1496

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the transportation allotment provided under the public school finance system.

Impact

If passed, HB1496 would significantly impact the way that transportation funding is calculated for public schools across the state. The revised formula would likely lead to more equitable funding allocations, addressing disparities that may affect rural or densely populated areas differently. The recognition of linear density as a factor in determining the allotment per mile places importance on geographical and operational nuances, suggesting that the Texas Legislature acknowledges the diverse needs of school districts when it comes to transportation costs.

Summary

House Bill 1496 aims to amend the transportation allotment provided under the public school finance system in Texas. Specifically, it seeks to update Section 42.155 of the Education Code to ensure that school districts and counties operating regular transportation systems are allocated funds based on the daily operational costs of these services. The bill emphasizes the importance of linear density grouping when calculating the per mile allotment, which takes into account the varying costs associated with different areas and population densities in Texas.

Contention

There may be potential contention surrounding the implementation of this bill, particularly regarding how the revised funding formula would be adjusted in the state budget. Educational advocates might express concerns about whether the funding provided would be sufficient to meet the actual transportation needs of students in different regions. Additionally, stakeholders might debate the effectiveness of employing linear density as a determining factor in transportation planning and funding, given that some areas may have unique challenges that are not captured entirely by simple metrics.