Bill Caption

Relating to the powers and duties of the commissioner of education regarding granting additional charters for open-enrollment charter schools.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB1061, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($20,722,888) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019, assuming the Commissioner of Education implements the provisions of the bill. The Commissioner of Education is not required to implement the legislation in the absence of an appropriation. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

This bill seeks to expand the opportunities for more open-enrollment charter schools to be established by allowing a charter holder to hold more than one charter under certain circumstances. The rules adopted under the provisions of this bill would be aimed at allowing charters to be established that serve a distinct purpose or a distinct student population.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Open-enrollment charter schools are an integral part of the public education system in Texas because they give parents and students unique educational options that are different from the one-size-fits-all model of traditional zip code-based neighborhood public schools. There are currently around 140,000 students on waiting lists to get enrolled in charter schools across Texas. There are clearly not enough schools to meet this growing demand. This legislation supports limited government, individual liberty, and personal responsibility by providing for more options in quality education within the public school system.