HBA-GUM H.B. 3123 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3123
By: Chisum
Public Education
4/12/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Education Code sets target ratios for administrative
to instructional expenditures for school districts.  Each year the Texas
Education Agency (TEA) determines district compliance with these targets
and asks districts out of compliance to submit a plan to correct the
problem.  If a district fails to meet the appropriate administrative cost
ratio, the commissioner of education can reduce the district's state aid by
the amount by which the district exceeds the target. 

H.B. 3123 authorizes the comptroller of public accounts (comptroller) to
offer special programs and technical assistance, in consultation with TEA,
regional education service centers, and other educational organizations, to
school districts to maximize the funds used for classroom instruction. This
bill also authorizes the comptroller to create products to help public
school districts to better manage their finances and other
responsibilities.  In addition, this bill requires the comptroller to
provide the legislature with written policy proposals addressing important
educational issues as the issues arise. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 403.020, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 403.020.  New title: SCHOOL DISTRICT PERFORMANCE REVIEW. 

(a)  Created  from existing text. 

(b)  Authorizes the Comptroller of Public Accounts (comptroller), in
consultation with the Texas Education Agency, regional education service
centers, and other educational organizations, to develop and implement a
program that provides the school districts with information, collected
while conducting performance reviews which would be useful to ensure that
an adequate sum of funds is being used for classroom instruction.   

(c)  Authorizes the comptroller to develop handbooks, and provide school
districts with materials and services  to assist in the improvement of
management of district finances and other district responsibilities. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 403, Government Code, by adding
Section 403.0201, as follows: 

Sec. 403.0201.  EDUCATIONAL POLICY PROPOSALS.  Requires the comptroller to
provide the legislature with written policy proposals addressing  important
educational issues as the issues arise. 

SECTION 3:  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.