HB3297 - Relating to the establishment of the Texas prekindergarten fund to support public school prekindergarten education.

  89R13492 KJE-F     By: Reynolds H.B. No. 3297       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the Texas prekindergarten fund to   support public school prekindergarten education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.1555 to read as follows:           Sec.   29.1555.     TEXAS PREKINDERGARTEN FUND. (a)   In this   section, "fund" means the Texas prekindergarten fund established   under this section.           (b)     The Texas prekindergarten fund is a dedicated account in   the general revenue fund.           (c)  The fund consists of:                 (1)  money appropriated or transferred to the fund;                 (2)     any revenue that by law is dedicated for deposit to   the credit of the fund;                 (3)     interest and investment earnings on money in the   fund; and                 (4)     money from gifts, grants, or donations to the   fund.           (d)  Money in the fund may be used only to:                 (1)     expand access to high quality prekindergarten   programs for eligible children;                 (2)     provide financial assistance to school districts   and open-enrollment charter schools that offer prekindergarten;                 (3)     support professional development and training for   teachers who teach prekindergarten; and                 (4)     enhance facilities and instructional resources   for prekindergarten programs.           (e)     The agency shall allocate money appropriated from the   fund to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools:                 (1)  based on:                       (A)     the percentage of educationally   disadvantaged students enrolled in the district or school;                       (B)     geographic and demographic needs at the   district or school; and                       (C)     the district's or school's compliance with   the standards for high quality prekindergarten programs under   Subchapter E-1; and                 (2)  prioritizing districts and schools that:                       (A)  serve low-income families;                       (B)  serve rural and underserved communities; or                       (C)     offer a prekindergarten program that   demonstrates high performance in early childhood education   outcomes.           (f)     Not later than September 1 of each year, the agency   shall submit to the governor and the legislature a report on:                 (1)     the distribution of money appropriated from the   fund during the preceding school year;                 (2)     the impact of prekindergarten programs that   received money appropriated from the fund on student performance   during the preceding school year; and                 (3)  recommendations for legislative or other action.           (g)     The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to   implement this section.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.