HBA-JEK, MPM H.B. 40 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 40
By: McClendon
Public Education
3/11/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The trend in Texas schools over the past decade has been for school
districts to move their school start dates earlier and earlier into August.
Last year, 95 percent of Texas public schools started between August 7th
and August 18th.  As a result, student absentee rates and school utility
costs have climbed higher and higher for the month of August.  Shorter
summer school breaks decreases the income of working students and teachers
who work second jobs during the summer.  The Comptroller of Public Accounts
estimates that the Texas tourism industry loses $332 million per year and
that migrant farm workers lose out on another $27 million in earnings
foregone due to the early school start dates.  House Bill 40 requires
public school districts to begin school on the day after Labor Day.  

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 40 amends the Education Code to require each school district in
Texas to start the school year the day after Labor Day.  If the district
adopts a year-round system, the bill authorizes the school district to
modify the first day of the school year as necessary. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect on the 91st day after adjournment and applies beginning with
the fall semester 2001.