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.