| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Neutral | Neutral | Negative | Negative | Neutral |
Relating to requiring the Texas Education Agency to provide
identification kits to school districts and open-enrollment
charter schools for distribution to the parent or legal custodian
of certain students.
Estimated Twoyear Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB2158, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($8,000,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023.
The Texas Education Agency is required to implement Section 33.0531, Education Code, as added by this Act, only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the agency may, but is not required to, implement that section using other appropriations available for that purpose.
SB 2158 would require the Texas Education Agency to provide in all school districts and open-enrollment charter schools inkless, in-home fingerprint and DNA identification kits to be distributed through the district or school on request to the parent or legal custodian of any kindergarten, elementary, or middle school student.
Texas Action is opposed to SB 2158 on the principles of limited government and personal responsibility. No matter how noble the cause, it is not the proper role of state government to equip parents with identification kits at taxpayer expense.