88R30241 JES-F By: Middleton, et al. S.B. No. 2497 (Dutton) Substitute the following for S.B. No. 2497: No. A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the bilingual education allotment under the public school finance system. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 29.054, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (e) Notwithstanding Section 29.066(c), the agency may require, for purposes of implementing Section 48.105, a school district that is granted an exception under this section to: (1) include in the district's Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) report additional information specified by the agency and relating to the alternative language education methods used by the district; and (2) classify the alternative language education method used by the district under the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) report as specified by the agency. SECTION 2. Section 48.105, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) and amending Subsection (b) to read as follows: (a-1) The agency shall review school districts that offer alternative language methods approved by the agency under Section 29.054(d) and approve districts to receive the allotment under Subsection (a-2) for that biennium in a manner that provides not more than $10 million total under the allotment to school districts in each biennium. In approving school districts to receive the allotment under this subsection, the agency shall, to the extent possible, approve eligible school districts from a cross section of this state. (a-2) For each student in average daily attendance in an alternative language method approved by the agency under Section 29.054(d), and offered by a school district approved to receive the allotment under Subsection (a-1), the district is entitled to an annual allotment equal to the basic allotment multiplied by: (1) 0.15 for an emergent bilingual student, as defined by Section 29.052, if the student is in an alternative language method using a dual language immersion/one-way or two-way program model; and (2) 0.05 for a student not described by Subdivision (1), if the student is in an alternative language method using a dual language immersion/one-way or two-way program model. (b) At least 55 percent of the funds allocated under this section must be used in providing bilingual education or special language programs under Subchapter B, Chapter 29. A district's bilingual education or special language allocation may be used only for program and student evaluation, instructional materials and equipment, staff development, supplemental staff expenses, teacher salaries [salary supplements for teachers], incremental costs associated with providing smaller class sizes, and other supplies required for quality instruction. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.