Texas Senate Bill SB400

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to procedural requirements for adopting and filing a school district budget.

Impact

The modifications introduced by SB400 predominantly focus on enhancing transparency and accountability within school district financial procedures. By necessitating that the details of property tax revenue impacts are clearly communicated in the budget documents, the bill aims to inform taxpayers of the fiscal implications of the school district's budget decisions. Additionally, the requirement for budgets to be posted online for public access ensures continued oversight from citizens and stakeholders for three consecutive fiscal years.

Summary

SB400 addresses procedural requirements related to the adoption and filing of school district budgets in Texas. The bill amends various sections of the Educational Code to ensure that school boards follow a stricter process when adopting budgets and filing them with the state. One of the key requirements specified in the bill is that any vote to adopt a budget must be a record vote, allowing for transparency in how trustees vote on budgetary matters.

Contention

Despite the intention to improve transparency, there may be concerns from some districts about the administrative burden these changes could place on school boards and their ability to respond swiftly to unforeseen financial issues. Some members may argue that the additional requirements could complicate the budgeting process or deter school districts from adopting innovative financing strategies. The discussion surrounding SB400 may also touch on balancing transparency with the autonomy of local school boards.