84R2428 GCB-D
By: Watson S.B. No. 243
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the cost of education adjustment.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 7.062(c), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, if the
commissioner certifies that the amount appropriated for a state
fiscal year for purposes of Subchapters A and B, Chapter 46, exceeds
the amount to which school districts are entitled under those
subchapters for that year, the commissioner shall use the excess
funds, in an amount not to exceed $20 million in any state fiscal
year, for the purpose of making grants under this section. The use
of excess funds under this subsection has priority over any
provision of Chapter 42 that permits or directs the use of excess
foundation school program funds, including Sections [42.2517,]
42.2521, 42.2522, and 42.2531. The commissioner is required to use
excess funds as provided by this subsection only if the
commissioner is not required to reduce the total amount of state
funds allocated to school districts under Section 42.253(h).
SECTION 2. Section 42.102, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(a) The basic allotment for each school district is adjusted
to reflect the [geographic variation in known resource costs and]
costs of education for [due to factors beyond the control of] the
school district using the updated cost of education index provided
under Subsection (c).
(c) Based on a statistical analysis conducted by the
Legislative Budget Board to determine for each school district the
current geographic variation in known resource costs and costs of
education due to factors beyond the control of the district, the
commissioner shall update the cost of education index used for
purposes of this section during the 2014-2015 school year. The
updated index shall be used for purposes of this section beginning
with the 2015-2016 school year. Subsequently, the commissioner
periodically may request more current statistical analysis from the
Legislative Budget Board and further update as needed the cost of
education index used for purposes of this section.
SECTION 3. Section 42.261(a), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) Funds appropriated by the legislature for a tax year for
the purpose of reducing a school district's maintenance and
operations tax rate and providing state aid under Section 42.2516:
(1) [are not excess funds for purposes of Section
42.2517;
[(2)] are not available for purposes of Section
42.2521 or 42.2522;
(2) [(3)] may not be used for purposes of Chapter 46;
and
(3) [(4)] may not be provided by the commissioner to a
school district for a purpose other than reduction of the
district's maintenance and operations tax rate.
SECTION 4. Sections 42.102(b) and 42.2517, Education Code,
are repealed.
SECTION 5. 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, 2015.