Texas Senate Bill SB750

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to a report made by the Texas Education Agency regarding the property and casualty insurance costs of school districts and open-enrollment charter schools.

Impact

The passing of SB750 would potentially influence the financial management strategies of school districts and charter schools across Texas. By mandating a standardized report on property and casualty insurance costs, it may encourage school administrators to evaluate their insurance expenditures more critically. The timeframe for the TEA to produce the initial report indicates a focus on both immediate and long-term cost efficiency in public education funding and insurance management.

Summary

SB750, introduced by Taylor of Galveston, aims to mandate the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to compile and report on the property and casualty insurance costs relevant to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas. The bill requires the TEA to provide insights into the average amount paid for such insurance per student based on the average daily attendance, which adds a layer of transparency to financial expenditures in education. Furthermore, the statewide averages for these costs will be detailed in the report, which is due by December 1, 2016.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SB750 appears to be largely neutral to positive, focusing primarily on enhancing financial transparency in the educational sector. Supporters may view the bill as a step towards more informed decision-making, allowing districts and schools to benchmark their insurance rates against statewide averages. However, there may also be concerns regarding the potential administrative burden on the TEA and school districts tasked with compiling this data.

Contention

While there do not seem to be significant points of contention detailed in the discussions surrounding SB750, the overarching theme of transparency in school funding could provoke discussions about budget allocations and priorities among various stakeholders in the education sector. The bill also raises questions about the necessity of such a report and how the data might influence future policy decisions regarding insurance requirements for schools.