HB1444 - Relating to a school district's purchase of instructional materials using funds allotted under the instructional materials and technology allotment.

  89R5914 AND-D     By: Schatzline H.B. No. 1444       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a school district's purchase of instructional materials   using funds allotted under the instructional materials and   technology allotment.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 31.0211(c), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (c)  Funds allotted under this section may be used to:                (1)  purchase:                      (A)  instructional materials[ , regardless of   whether the instructional materials are ] on the list of approved   instructional materials maintained by the State Board of Education   under Section 31.022;                      (B)  consumable instructional materials,   including workbooks;                      (C)  instructional materials for use in bilingual   education classes, as provided by Section 31.029;                      (D)  instructional materials for use in college   preparatory courses under Section 28.014, as provided by Section   31.031;                      (E)  supplemental instructional materials;                      (F)  open education resource instructional   materials, as provided by Subchapter B-1;                      (G)  instructional materials and technological   equipment under any continuing contracts of the district in effect   on September 1, 2011;                      (H)  technological equipment necessary to support   the use of any instructional materials purchased with an allotment   under this section;                      (I)  inventory software or systems for storing,   managing, and accessing instructional materials and analyzing the   usage and effectiveness of the instructional materials; and                      (J)  services, equipment, and technology   infrastructure necessary to ensure Internet connectivity and   adequate bandwidth; and                (2)  pay:                      (A)  for training educational personnel directly   involved in student learning in the appropriate use of   instructional materials and for providing for access to   technological equipment for instructional use;                      (B)  for training personnel in the electronic   administration of assessment instruments;                      (C)  the salary and other expenses of an employee   who provides technical support for the use of technological   equipment directly involved in student learning; and                      (D)  for costs associated with distance learning,   including Wi-Fi, Internet access hotspots, wireless network   service, broadband service, and other services and technological   equipment necessary to facilitate Internet access.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.