By: Turner of Collin H.B. No. 3497
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to state savings and government efficiency through a
taxpayer savings grant program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 42, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. TAXPAYER SAVINGS GRANTS
Sec. 42.501. TAXPAYER SAVINGS GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this
section:
(1) "Eligible student" means a school-age child who
resides in the state and who:
(A) is entering kindergarten or first grade; or
(B) attended a public school for all of the
academic year immediately preceding initial participation in the
program, or is a prior participant in the program.
(b) A parent or legal guardian of an eligible student who
agrees to accept reimbursement in an amount that is less than the
state average maintenance and operations expenditures per student
may receive reimbursement from the state for the tuition paid for
the enrollment of the eligible student at a private school in an
amount that is the lesser of:
(1) the tuition paid; or
(2) 60 percent of the state average maintenance and
operations expenditures per student.
(c) Money from the available school fund and federal funds
may not be used for reimbursement under this section.
(d) Private schools that parents voluntarily choose to
attend, with or without governmental assistance, will not be
required to comply with any state law or regulation governing its
educational program that was not in effect on January 1, 2013."
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable, but not later than the
45th day after the effective date of this Act, the comptroller, in
coordination with the commissioner of education, shall adopt rules
to implement the Taxpayer Savings Grant Program under Section
42.501, Education Code, as added by this Act, including rules to
prevent fraud in financial transactions under the program and to
determine the net savings resulting from implementation of the
program. Such regulations shall reconcile payments to all schools
within the same fiscal year, or one month after.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013, 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 effect on that
date, this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislation session.