Texas House Bill HB3506

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/20/11
• Voted on by House: 5/5/11
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/19/11
• Report Pass: 4/19/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/20/11
• Engrossed: 5/5/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Report Pass: 5/19/11
• Enrolled: 5/23/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to the use of transportation allotment funds by school districts to provide bus passes or cards to certain students.

Impact

Should HB3506 pass, it would significantly enhance the flexibility of school districts regarding transportation funding and student mobility. The amendment will empower local education authorities to make decisions based on their unique circumstances, enabling them to better cater to the needs of students who may have challenges using the regular transportation systems. This decision-making autonomy could lead to broader implications for student attendance and participation in school activities.

Summary

House Bill 3506 focuses on enabling school districts in Texas to utilize transportation allotment funds for providing bus passes or cards to certain eligible students. The bill amends Section 42.155 of the Education Code, allowing districts to give students access to alternative transportation options when traditional methods aren’t feasible. This approach aims to improve accessibility and ensure that students can commute efficiently, irrespective of the limitations posed by the traditional transport systems in place.

Contention

While the bill seeks to improve transportation access for students, it may prompt discussions regarding the allocation of funds and the effectiveness of implementing such systems. A point of contention could arise if the bill leads to disparities between school districts in terms of resource availability and how effectively they can manage the bus pass systems. Furthermore, the execution of rules by the commissioner on how districts should implement these changes could come under scrutiny if not managed properly.