TITLE: Relating to state savings and government efficiency achieved through a taxpayer savings grant program.

SUMMARY: Relating to state savings and government efficiency achieved through a taxpayer savings grant program.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to state savings and government efficiency achieved through a taxpayer savings grant program. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 42, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter Jto read as follows: SUBCHAPTER J. TAXPAYER SAVINGS GRANTS Sec. 42.501. TAXPAYER SAVINGS GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "eligible student" means a school-age child who resides in the state and who: (1) is entering kindergarten or first grade; (2) attended a public school for all of the academic year immediately preceding initial participation in the Taxpayer Savings Grant Program; or (3) participated in the program in a preceding academic year. (b) A parent or legal guardian of an eligible student who agrees to accept reimbursement in an amount that is less than the state average amount of maintenance and operations expenditures per student may receive reimbursement from the state for the tuition paid for the enrollment of the eligible student at a private school in an amount that is the lesser of: (1) the tuition paid; or (2) 60 percent of the state average maintenance and operations expenditures per student. (c) Money from the available school fund and federal funds may not be used for reimbursement under this section. (d) A private school voluntarily selected by a parent for the parent's child to attend, with or without governmental assistance, may not be required to comply with any state law or rule governing the school's educational program that was not in effect on January 1, 2013. SECTION 2. As soon as practicable, but not later than the 45th day after the effective date of this Act, the comptroller, in coordination with the commissioner of education, shall adopt rules to implement the Taxpayer Savings Grant Program under Section 42.501, Education Code, as added by this Act, including rules to prevent fraud in financial transactions under the program and to determine the net savings resulting from implementation of the program. The rules must provide for all payments required for a fiscal year, including any payments resulting from a financial reconciliation process for the fiscal year, to be paid not later than the end of the first month following the end of the fiscal year. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013, 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.