Texas Senate Bill SB765

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to providing the financial cost incurred by the Texas Education Agency as a result of providing educational services to persons who are not lawfully present in the United States.

Impact

The implementation of SB765 is projected to have significant implications for funding and accountability related to education services provided to non-citizen students. By formalizing the tracking of these costs, the bill could enhance transparency regarding state educational funding and the financial burden placed on state resources. Furthermore, it reinforces the argument for the need for federal reimbursement, holding the federal government accountable for supporting states that provide these services.

Summary

Senate Bill 765 aims to address the financial implications incurred by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as a result of providing educational services to individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. The bill mandates that the TEA, in conjunction with the comptroller's office, report the financial costs attributed to these educational services to state leadership before each regular legislative session. This report will detail expenditures over the preceding two-year period, along with a breakdown of costs in specified categories determined by the comptroller.

Conclusion

Ultimately, SB765 represents an effort to outline financial expenditures associated with immigration-related educational services while advocating for federal support. This aligns with broader efforts to manage state spending and ensure that local agencies are not disproportionately affected by federal immigration policies without corresponding financial resources.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding SB765 is the question of federal versus state responsibility concerning education for undocumented individuals. Proponents of the bill argue that the federal government has an obligation to secure national borders and should finance the educational costs resulting from unlawful immigration. Critics may view this bill as a measure that could stigmatize students based on their immigration status, potentially creating barriers to access to education. The ongoing debate reflects larger national discussions on immigration policy and its local impacts.