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


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 2359
By: Olivo
Public Education
4/19/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)



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.   

C.S.H.B. 2359 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 does
not expressly delegate rulemaking authority to a state office, department,
agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

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

(d)  Authorizes the grant, rather 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.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2359 differs from the original bill in SECTION 1 by omitting
proposed amendments to Section 7.024(b), Education Code, which would have
authorized 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.