Bill

SB 1659

85(R) - 2017
Senate Education
Senate Education
Education
Public Education

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Larry Taylor

Bill Caption

Relating to the commissioner of education accepting contributions for the public school system, adopting rules regarding grant compliance, and establishing grants for high-quality educational programs.

Fiscal Notes

Assuming the grant program is fully funded with donations, there would be no significant impact to the state. The agency is not required to implement the legislation in the absence of an appropriation. As noted below, the biennial cost of the program is estimated to be $12.3 million; to the extent insufficient donations are collected, these costs could be borne by General Revenue or other state funds. As the scope of the grant program in the legislation is broad, costs could be higher or lower depending on actual program implementation. 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

SB 1659 would establish a new grant program for school districts in order for them to implement high quality educational programs and would establish a method by which the commissioner of TEA can ensure compliance by grant recipients with conditions of grants.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Implementing a process that holds districts accountable to conditions of grants is something that would positively affect our principle of limited government by increasing transparency and accountability of funds awarded by the state to local districts. Conversely, the establishment of a new grant program to encourage high quality education, something districts should already be seeking to achieve, is a provision that seems counterintuitive and contrary to our limited government principle. For these competing reasons, we remain neutral on SB 1659.