Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4611

Caption

Relating to certain distributions to the available school fund.

Impact

The implementation of HB 4611 is expected to enhance the financial footing of public schools by increasing the funds available for instructional materials and technology through a designated fund established in association with the permanent school fund. By ensuring that a specific percentage of the distributions is set aside for these essential resources, the bill aims to improve educational services and support technology integration in classrooms, which is increasingly necessary in modern education.

Summary

House Bill 4611 pertains to the management and distribution of the available school fund in Texas. It amends the Education Code to include various sources of revenue, such as state occupation taxes and excise taxes from gasoline and special fuels, that contribute to the available school fund. This act aims to ensure that financial resources for the education system are derived from a stable and diversified revenue stream, thus directly impacting how funds are allocated to public schools across the state.

Sentiment

The legislative discussion surrounding HB 4611 appeared to be largely supportive, with minimal opposition noted during voting sessions. This sentiment is partly attributed to the bill's focus on elevating educational standards through better resource availability. Education advocates and local government officials have generally expressed approval, seeing it as a necessary move to strengthen the public education system and improve student outcomes.

Contention

However, some points of contention emerge regarding potential over-dependence on revenue sources that may fluctuate over time, like occupation and fuel taxes. Critics of the bill argue that basing education funding on such volatile revenue streams could risk instability in school funding. Additionally, there are concerns that any associated constitutional amendments needed for the bill to take full effect may face challenges, potentially undermining its intended benefits if voters do not approve the changes.

Companion Bills

TX HJR151

Enabling for Proposing a constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions to the available school fund.

Previously Filed As

TX HB38

Relating to the elimination of certain property taxes for school district maintenance and operations and the provision of public education funding by increasing the rates of certain state taxes.

TX SB2

Relating to a local optional teacher designation system implemented by a school district, a security officer employed by a school district, the basic allotment and guaranteed yield under the public school finance system, and certain allotments under the Foundation School Program; making an appropriation.

TX HB13

Relating to training, preparedness, and funding for school safety and emergencies in public schools.

TX HB2

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including the establishment of a school safety grant program and a school safety plan implementation grant program, and the allocation of certain constitutional transfers of money to the state school safety fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HB1595

Relating to the administration and investment of, and distribution and use of money from, certain constitutional and statutory funds to support general academic teaching institutions in achieving national prominence as major research universities and driving the state economy.

TX HJR189

Proposing a constitutional amendment reducing The University of Texas System's share of the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund, transferring to the national research university fund and general revenue fund a portion of the annual distribution made from the permanent university fund to the available university fund, appropriating the portion transferred to the national research university fund, and dedicating the portion transferred to the general revenue fund to provide for the support and maintenance of public institutions of higher education.

TX SB40

Relating to the public school finance system.

TX SB37

Relating to the public school finance system.

TX HB1605

Relating to instructional material and technology, the adoption of essential knowledge and skills for certain public school foundation curriculum subjects, and the extension of additional state aid to school districts for the provision of certain instructional materials; authorizing a fee.

TX SB2607

Relating to the use of tax collections in determining certain state and local responsibilities for school funding.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.