HBA-MPM H.B. 2359 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2359
By: Olivo
Public Education
3/29/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Investment Capital Fund (ICF) was created in 1993 by the Texas
Legislature to assist schools which are committed to improving student
achievement and partnerships between parents and community members.  ICF
provides grants of up to $50,000 per year to any eligible school for staff
development, parent education and training, and student enrichment.  It is
anticipated than more than 300 school will participate in the program
during the coming biennium.   

Currently, the commissioner of education (commissioner) has no specific
authority to make rules with respect to operation of ICF.  H.B. 2359
authorizes the commissioner to develop appropriate rules for the
administration of ICF.  Additionally, this bill eliminates the statutory
prohibition against more than 25 percent of the funds being used for
strategies to extend and enrich student learning beyond the regular school
day. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill
expressly delegates rulemaking authority to the commissioner of education
in SECTION 1 (Section 7.024, Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 7.024(b) and (d), Education Code, as follows:

(b)  Authorizes the commissioner of education to adopt necessary rules to
effectively administer the investment capital fund, in addition to make
grants from the fund to eligible schools. 

(d)  Deletes the authorization for no more than 25 percent of the grant
from the fund to be used to implement strategies developed by the partners
that are designated to enrich or extend student learning experiences
outside of the regular school day.   

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.