By: Taylor of Galveston, et al.
S.B. No. 3
Here’s what the Texas school choice bill means in plain English
The 2017 legislative session ended with no measure offering private school tuition subisidies making it to the governor’s desk. The leading bill, Senate Bill 3, passed the Senate but died in the House, where it had faced strong resistance.
The bill would have created two new state programs aimed at subsidizing the costs associated with private school tuition and homeschooling for thousands of Texas schoolchildren. The first half of the bill proposed an education savings account program, which would have allowed parents to draw money from state-funded debit cards for tuition and other expenses. The second half of the bill created a tax credit scholarship program, which would have given tax credits to certain businesses if they made donations toward students’ private school tuition.
The bill changed over the course of the session, with the bill’s author, Sen. Larry Taylor, a Friendswood Republican, adding language to reduce the overall scale and carve out most rural counties to get the bill out of the Senate.
To help you understand the proposal, below is the text of the last version of SB 3, annotated with our own context and analysis. Text with a green underline are additions to current law.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of an education savings account program and a tax credit scholarship and educational expense assistance program.
SB 3 is a single bill that would create two separate programs: education savings accounts and tax credit scholarships. The most needy families would be able to take advantage of both programs at once to subsidize the full cost of private school tuition.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
ARTICLE 1. EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
SECTION 1.01. Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM
Sec. 29.351. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Account" means an education savings account established under the program.
(2) "Child with a disability" means a child who is:
(A) eligible to participate in a school district's special education program under Section 29.003; or
(B) covered by Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794).
Texas is federally required to provide free special education services in public schools to students between the ages of 3 and 21 who have specific disabilities that otherwise prevent them from being properly educated. Both the education savings account program and the tax credit scholarship program would distribute subsidies for students with disabilities or families with household income below a certain threshold.
(3) "Curriculum" means a complete course of study for a particular content area or grade level.
(4) "Financial institution" means a bank, credit union, savings bank, or savings and loan association organized under the laws of this state, the laws of another state, or federal law that has its main office or a branch office in this state. The term does not include any institution the deposits of which are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration.
(5) "Institution of higher education" and "private or independent institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.
This definition includes a range of higher education institutions including any public technical institute, junior college, senior college or university, state college or medical or dental unit. The bill would allow families to use funds from state-issued education savings accounts to take courses at these institutions to supplement their private school or homeschooling curricula.
(6) "Parent" means a resident of this state who is a natural or adoptive parent, managing or possessory conservator, legal guardian, custodian, or other person with legal authority to act on behalf of a child.
(7) "Program" means the education savings account program established under this subchapter.
(8) "Program participant" means a child and a parent of a child enrolled in the program.
Sec. 29.352. PURPOSES. The purposes of the education savings account program are to:
(1) improve public schools and overall academic performance;
(2) promote efficiency;
(3) promote and preserve the liberties and rights of the people; and
(4) increase parental options.
Sec. 29.353. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. (a) The comptroller shall establish and administer an education savings account program to provide funding for certain education-related expenses of eligible children.
The comptroller's office, which is responsible for monitoring the state's finances and collecting taxes, would be responsible for administering the education savings account program.
(b) The comptroller, with cooperation from the agency, shall ensure that information about the program is readily available to the public through various sources, including the agency's Internet website.
(c) The comptroller shall make information about the program available to parents of a child with a disability or a child who is educationally disadvantaged through the comptroller's Internet website. The information made available to parents of a child with a disability must include a notice that:
Federal law requires public school districts to provide free special education services to all students with disabilities that need them. If a student with a disability takes money through an education savings account to attend a private school, the comptroller is required to notify the parent online that neither the federal government nor Texas requires private schools to serve students with disabilities.
(1) states that a private school is not subject to laws regarding the provision of educational services in the same manner as a public school, and a child with a disability attending a private school may not receive the services a child with a disability attending a public school is entitled to receive under federal and state law; and
(2) provides information regarding rights to which a child with a disability is entitled under federal and state law if the child attends a public school, including:
(A) rights provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.), including:
(i) an individualized education program;
(ii) educational services provided in the least restrictive environment;
(iii) instruction from certified teachers;
(iv) due process hearings to ensure proper and full implementation of an individualized education program;
(v) transition and planning services; and
(vi) supplementary aids and services;
(B) rights provided under Subchapter A, Chapter 29; and
(C) other rights provided under federal or state law.
Sec. 29.3531. EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM FUND. (a) The education savings account program fund is an account in the general revenue fund to be administered by the comptroller.
The money to run the education savings account program comes from the state's general revenue, and any gifts or grants the comptroller's office solicits in administering the program.
The comptroller's office has estimated the cost of running this program would be about $8.4 million over the upcoming biennium.
(b) The fund is composed of:
(1) general revenue transferred to the fund;
(2) money appropriated to the fund;
(3) gifts, grants, and donations received under Section 29.371; and
(4) any other money available for purposes of the program.
(c) Money in the fund may be appropriated only to the comptroller for purposes of making payments to program participants and administering the program under this subchapter.
Sec. 29.354. ELIGIBLE CHILD. (a) A child is eligible to participate in the program if the child:
This section of the bill was changed in March to reduce the program's scope and appeal to rural legislators with constituents who have fewer options for public schools.
Under this provision, a child is only eligible to take an education savings account if he or she has been enrolled in a public school for the previous year, comes from a family making below a baseline income, and lives in a county with a population of 285,000 or more.
Residents of smaller counties can submit a petition signed by five percent of registered voters, to prompt a general election vote on whether to allow parents access.
A family of three making $75,078 or below would qualify for this program.
(1) is eligible to attend a public school under Section 25.001;
(2) is a member of a household with a total annual income that is at or below 175 percent of the income guidelines necessary to qualify for the national free or reduced-price lunch program established under 42 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq.;
(3) attended a public school in this state during the entire preceding academic year; and
(4) resides in a public school district located in whole or in part in a county:
(A) with a population of 285,000 or more based upon the 2010 census; or
(B) in which the residents have approved participation in the program and receipt of scholarships and educational expense assistance under Chapter 230, Insurance Code, as provided by Subsection (a-1).
(a-1) The residents of a county with a population of less than 285,000 may vote at a general election to allow children residing in that county to participate in the program and to receive scholarships and educational expense assistance under Chapter 230, Insurance Code, subject to applicable eligibility requirements. The county shall hold an election described by this subsection on the next uniform election date that permits compliance with applicable deadlines for the election if the county receives a petition requesting the election signed by at least five percent of the registered voters residing in the county.
(b) A child who establishes eligibility under this section may participate in the program until the earliest of the following dates:
(b) A child who establishes eligibility under this section may participate in the program until the earliest of the following dates:
(1) the date that is three months after the date on which the child graduates from high school;
(2) the date on which the child is no longer eligible to attend a public school under Section 25.001;
(3) the date on which the child enrolls in a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school; or
(4) the date on which the child is declared ineligible for the program by the comptroller under this subchapter.
If a student receiving funds through this program decides to re-enroll in a public school, he or she would no longer be eligible for an education savings account. The comptroller's office would determine guidelines for this re-enrollment process.
(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), the comptroller shall establish guidelines for, in the least disruptive manner possible:
(1) a child participating in the program to cease participation and enroll in a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school; and
(2) a child who previously participated in the program and subsequently enrolled in a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, to resume participation in the program.
Sec. 29.355. ENROLLMENT IN PROGRAM. (a) A parent of an eligible child may enroll the child in the program for the following school year.
(b) The comptroller shall by rule create an enrollment form for the program and make the enrollment form readily available to interested parents through various sources, including the comptroller's Internet website. An enrollment form for the program must be submitted to the comptroller electronically.
Many critics have asked how Texas would confirm that participating families had made incomes below the stated baseline, since the state does not have an income tax.
A representative for the comptroller's office told the Tribune that parents would include information on their income when they filled out an enrollment form online, and then submit federal income tax returns, W-2 forms, and pay stubs for confirmation.
(c) The comptroller shall post on the comptroller's Internet website and provide to each parent who submits an enrollment form a publication that describes the operation of the program, including:
(1) expenses allowed under the program under Section 29.357;
(2) expense reporting requirements; and
(3) a description of the responsibilities of program participants and the duties of the comptroller under this subchapter.
(d) The comptroller shall provide to each parent who submits an enrollment form for a child with a disability a written copy of the notice described by Section 29.353(c). Before the parent may receive funding under the program, the parent must sign and return the notice to the comptroller.
Sec. 29.356. PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAM. (a) To receive funding under the program, a parent of an eligible child must agree to:
Parents would be responsible for letting the comptroller know if their child was no longer eligible for money through this program, either because the student graduated from high school or enrolled in a public school.
(1) spend funds received through the program only for expenses allowed under Section 29.357;
(2) notify the comptroller if the child enrolls in a public school, including an open-enrollment charter school, not later than the 30th day after the date of enrollment; and
(3) inform the comptroller if the child graduates from high school.
(b) The parent of a child participating in the program is the trustee of the child's account.
(c) The comptroller shall provide annually to each program participant the publication provided under Section 29.355(c).
Sec. 29.357. APPROVED EDUCATION-RELATED EXPENSES. (a) Funds received under the program may be used only for the following expenses incurred by a program participant:
Families could spend funds in education savings accounts on a variety of expenses, including accredited private schools. In a 2015 study, school choice advocacy group EdChoice found that 63 percent of 638 accredited Texas private schools surveyed said they would or probably would participate in an education savings account program.
This version of the bill takes out references to homeschoolers using this program. But parents could decide to use the funds to pay for textbooks, technology, online courses, or a course not offered by a public school to students who are not enrolled. They could also use the funds to pay the fees for standardized tests, private tutoring, and special education services.
They could not use the money for basic school supplies, child care, or food other than breakfast or lunch provided by the private school.
(1) tuition and fees:
(A) at a private school accredited by an organization that is recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission;
(B) at an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education; or
(C) for an online educational course or program;
(2) the purchase of textbooks or other instructional materials required by a school, institution, course, or program described by Subdivision (1) in which the child is enrolled;
(3) fees for classes or other educational services provided by a public school, if the classes or services do not qualify the child to be included in the school's average daily attendance;
(4) fees for services provided by a private tutor or teaching service;
(5) costs of transportation to and from school, not to exceed $500 per year;
(6) for a child with a disability, fees for educational therapies or services provided by a practitioner or provider;
(7) costs of computer hardware and software and other technological devices prescribed by a physician to facilitate a child's education, not to exceed in any year 10 percent of the total amount paid to the program participant's account that year;
(8) fees for a nationally norm-referenced achievement test or examination, an assessment instrument adopted by the agency under Section 39.023, an advanced placement test or similar examination, or any examination related to college or university admission;
(9) fees for the management of the participant's account charged by a financial institution; and
(10) costs of breakfast or lunch provided to a child during the school day by a private school.
(b) Expenses allowed under Subsection (a) do not include expenses for:
(1) consumable supplies, including paper, pens, pencils, folders, and notebooks;
(2) food, other than breakfast or lunch as authorized under Subsection (a)(10); or
(3) before-school or after-school child care and child care during school holidays and vacations.
(c) An education service provider or vendor of educational products must provide a program participant with a receipt for each expense allowed under Subsection (a) charged by the provider or vendor to the participant.
(d) The content, subject to Section 29.364(c), or religious nature of a product or service may not be considered in determining whether a payment for the product or service is an expense allowed under Subsection (a).
Advocates for families that homeschool their children or send them to private or parochial schools lobbied for some of the components of the bill such as this provision. It would restrict government regulation of educational providers based on the content of their services, even if a family is sending funds from a state-funded education savings account to an institution or to defray the costs of homeschooling.
(e) A finding that a program participant used funds distributed under the program to pay for an expense not allowed under Subsection (a) does not affect the validity of any payment made by the participant for an expense that is allowed under that subsection.
Sec. 29.358. AMOUNT OF PAYMENT; FINANCING. (a) A parent of an eligible child shall receive each year that the child participates in the program a payment from the state to the child's account in an amount that is equal to:
(1) 75 percent of the state average maintenance and operations expenditures per student for the preceding state fiscal year; or
A family of three making less than $75,078 would receive about $6,750 per eligible student through this program in 2017. That is 75 percent of the estimated cost to educate a Texas student in a public school.
(2) if the child is a child with a disability, 90 percent of the state average maintenance and operations expenditures per student for the preceding state fiscal year.
A child with a disability would receive about $8,100 through this program in 2017, regardless of income. That is 90 percent of the estimated cost to educate a Texas student in a public school.
(b) In addition to any funding the district receives under Chapter 42, for each child participating in the program, the school district the child would otherwise attend is entitled to receive for the first year in which the child participates in the program an amount equal to 50 percent of the difference between:
(1) the state average maintenance and operations expenditures per student for the preceding state fiscal year; and
(2) the amount the child's parent receives under Subsection (a) for the year.
The bill would grant a one-time payment to the home districts of students who leave the public school system and take funds through education savings accounts. Critics of the bill have argued that a public school’s need to make up for lost funds exists beyond that first year.
A home district would receive between $450 and $1,125 per student lost, given the current estimated cost to educate a Texas student. The state would also get the same amount per student.
(c) For the first year a child participates in the program, the child is included in the weighted average daily attendance of the school district the child would otherwise attend for purposes of determining the district's equalized wealth level under Chapter 41.
In Texas, the state can “recapture” local tax revenue from “property wealthy” districts to redistribute to “property poor” districts, to ensure equitable funding. If a student takes a scholarship to leave a public school district that the state considers property wealthy, that district would still be able to count that student in its state funding formula for one year.
This portion of the bill is intended to prevent school districts from seeing dramatic drops in enrollment, an outcome that could lead to a property wealthy district owing more money to the state under current school finance formulas. Critics argue this just delays the negative financial impact to these school districts. This part of the bill would not direct additional funding to property poor districts, which would receive less state aid as more students leave for private schools or homeschooling.
(d) Any funds remaining in a child's account at the end of a fiscal year are carried forward to the next fiscal year unless another provision of this subchapter mandates the closure of the account.
(e) The parent of a child participating in the program may make payments for the expenses of educational programs, services, and products not covered by funds in the child's account.
(f) A payment under Subsection (a) may not be financed using federal funds or money appropriated from the permanent school fund or the available school fund.
Sec. 29.359. ADMINISTRATION OF ACCOUNTS. (a) The comptroller may contract with one or more financial institutions to establish and manage an account for each child participating in the program. A program participant must be able to access the participant's account by using an online or electronic transfer payment service.
(b) The comptroller shall make quarterly payments to each program participant's account in equal amounts, with the first payment for each school year made on September 1 and the remaining payments made on or before the 15th day of November, February, and May.
(c) The comptroller may deduct an amount from each quarterly payment to a program participant's account to cover the comptroller's cost of administering the program. The amount deducted may not exceed five percent of the payment.
(d) Not later than 30 days after the end of each fiscal year, the comptroller shall reconcile payments made to and from all accounts under the program.
(e) On the date on which a child who participated in the program is no longer eligible to participate in the program under Section 29.354(b), the child's account is closed and any remaining funds are returned to the state for deposit in the education savings account program fund.
Any leftover funds a student doesn't use from his or her education savings account would go back to the state's fund for the program.
(f) The comptroller may contract with a private entity to administer all or any part of the program.
Sec. 29.360. RANDOM AUDITING OF ACCOUNTS. (a) The comptroller shall contract with a private entity to randomly audit accounts as necessary to ensure compliance with applicable law and the requirements of the program.
(b) In auditing an account, the comptroller or private entity may require that a program participant provide further information and documentation regarding any payment from the participant's account.
(c) The private entity shall report to the comptroller any violation of this subchapter or other relevant law found by the entity during an audit conducted under this section.
Sec. 29.361. SUSPENSION OF ACCOUNT. (a) The comptroller shall suspend the account of a program participant who fails to comply with applicable law or a requirement of the program, including a requirement under Section 29.356(a), or who substantially misuses funds received under the program.
The comptroller's office would be responsible for keeping track of families who don't comply with the regulations related to using these funds.
It would also be responsible for holding tutors and online course providers accountable for not overcharging parents and students.
(b) On suspension of an account under Subsection (a), the comptroller shall notify the program participant in writing that the account has been suspended and that no further payments may be made from the account. The notification must specify the grounds for the suspension and state that the participant has 10 business days to respond and take any corrective action required by the comptroller.
(c) On the expiration of the 10-day period under Subsection (b), the comptroller shall:
(1) order permanent closure of the suspended account and declare the program participant ineligible for the program;
(2) order temporary reinstatement of the account, conditioned on the performance of a specified action by the participant; or
(3) order full reinstatement of the account.
(d) The comptroller may recover funds distributed under the program that were used for expenses not allowed under Section 29.357(a) from the program participant or the entity that received the funds if the participant's account is suspended or closed under this section.
The bill empowers the comptroller’s office to recover money from families that spend part of their education savings account or tax credit scholarship on items not permitted under the state’s program.
Sec. 29.362. TUITION AND FEES; REFUND PROHIBITED. (a) An education service provider may not charge a child participating in the program an amount greater than the standard amount charged for that service by the provider.
(b) An education service provider or a vendor of educational products receiving funds distributed under the program may not in any manner rebate, refund, or credit to or share with a program participant, or any person on behalf of a participant, any program funds paid or owed by the participant to the provider or vendor.
Sec. 29.363. REFERRAL TO ATTORNEY GENERAL. (a) If the comptroller obtains evidence of fraudulent use of an account, the comptroller may refer the case to the attorney general for investigation.
(b) With the consent of the appropriate local county or district attorney, the attorney general has concurrent jurisdiction with the consenting local prosecutor to prosecute an offense referred to the attorney general under Subsection (a).
Families who use the money illegally can be prosecuted through the attorney general, with the consent of local authorities.
Sec. 29.364. PROVIDER ACCOUNTABILITY. (a) To receive funds distributed under the program, a private school must be accredited by an organization that is recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission.
All private schools must be accredited, all special education service providers must be licensed, and all private tutors and online course providers must be approved by the state, to receive money under this program.
(b) A practitioner or provider who provides educational therapies or services for a child with a disability must be licensed or accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization to receive funds distributed under the program.
(c) A private tutor, teaching service, or online educational course or program provider must apply to and be approved by the commissioner to receive funds distributed under the program.
(d) To be eligible for approval under Subsection (c), a private tutor or each employee of a teaching service who intends to provide educational services to a program participant must:
(1) be a teacher who:
(A) is certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21;
(B) holds a National Board Certification issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; or
(C) has experience teaching at an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education; and
(2) either:
(A) complete a national criminal history record information review; or
(B) provide to the commissioner documentation indicating that the tutor or employee, as applicable, has completed a national criminal history record information review within a period established by commissioner rule.
(e) The commissioner shall review the national criminal history record information or documentation for each private tutor or teaching service who submits an application under Subsection (c). The tutor or teaching service must provide the commissioner with any information requested by the commissioner to enable the commissioner to complete the review.
(f) The commissioner shall maintain and provide to the comptroller a list of private tutors, teaching services, and online educational courses or program providers approved to receive funds distributed under the program. The comptroller shall post the list on the comptroller's Internet website.
(g) A private tutor, teaching service, or online educational course or program provider may appeal to the comptroller the commissioner's rejection of an application submitted under Subsection (c).
(h) The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to exercise the commissioner's powers and duties under this section.
Sec. 29.365. PROGRAM PARTICIPANT, PROVIDER, AND VENDOR AUTONOMY. (a) An education service provider or vendor of educational products that receives funds distributed under the program is not an agent of the state or federal government.
(b) Except as provided by this subchapter, the comptroller, the commissioner, the agency, the State Board of Education, any other state agency, or any school district may not:
SB 3 would not place additional restrictions on private schools that receive funds through the program. It would also not give any state agency the authority to regulate education service providers or vendors outside of the restrictions in the program.
(1) regulate the educational program of an education service provider or vendor of educational products that receives funds distributed under the program; or
(2) exercise control or supervision over a program participant or an education service provider or vendor of educational products that receives funds distributed under the program.
(c) The program does not expand the regulatory authority of the state or any school district to impose any additional regulation on an education service provider or vendor of educational products except those reasonably necessary to enforce the program as provided by this subchapter.
(d) A private school may not be required to modify the school's creed, practices, admissions policies, curriculum, performance standards, or assessments to receive funds distributed under the program.
(e) 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 applicable educational program that was not in effect on January 1, 2017.
(f) In any proceeding challenging a rule adopted by a state agency or officer under this subchapter, the agency or officer has the burden of proof to establish that the rule:
(1) is necessary to implement or enforce the program as provided by this subchapter; and
(2) does not impose an undue burden on a program participant or an education service provider or vendor of educational products that receives or seeks to receive funds distributed under the program.
Sec. 29.366. STUDENT RECORDS AND INFORMATION. (a) On request by the parent of a child participating in the program, the school district or open-enrollment charter school that the child would otherwise attend shall provide a copy of the child's school records possessed by the district or school, if any, to the child's parent or, if applicable, the private school the child attends.
(b) The agency shall provide to the comptroller any information available to the agency requested by the comptroller regarding a child who participates or seeks to participate in the program. The comptroller may not retain information provided under this subsection beyond the period necessary to determine:
(1) a child's eligibility to participate in the program; or
(2) the amount of a payment to a program participant's account under Section 29.358.
Sec. 29.367. REPORTING NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS. (a) Not later than October 1 of each year, the comptroller shall notify the commissioner and the Legislative Budget Board of the number of eligible children likely to participate in the program, disaggregated by the school district or open-enrollment charter school the eligible children would otherwise attend.
(b) Not later than March 1 of each year, the comptroller shall provide final information to the commissioner and the Legislative Budget Board regarding the number of children participating in the program, disaggregated in the same manner as the initial information under Subsection (a).
Sec. 29.368. ANNUAL SURVEY. The comptroller may conduct an annual parental satisfaction survey that asks each parent of a child participating in the program to express:
(1) the parent's overall level of satisfaction with the program; and
(2) the parent's opinion on specified topics and issues relevant to the effectiveness of the program.
Sec. 29.369. PARENT REVIEW COMMITTEE. (a) A parent review committee is established to assist the comptroller, at the comptroller's request, in:
The comptroller would choose eight parents of students using this program to form a review committee that would help make decisions on state-approved expenses and providers.
(1) determining whether certain expenses are allowed under Section 29.357; and
(2) reviewing an appeal of the commissioner's decision to reject an application of a private tutor, teaching service, or online educational course or program provider for approval under Section 29.364 to receive funds distributed under the program.
(b) The committee consists of the comptroller, or a representative designated by the comptroller, and eight members appointed by the comptroller. Each appointed member must be a parent of a child participating in the program. In making appointments to the committee, the comptroller shall ensure that parents from at least four counties are included.
(c) An appointed member of the committee serves a one-year term at the pleasure of the comptroller and may be reappointed.
(d) The comptroller or the representative designated by the comptroller, as applicable, is the chair of the committee and may vote on a matter before the committee only if there is a tie.
Sec. 29.369. RULES. The comptroller shall:
(1) adopt rules as necessary to implement this subchapter, including:
(A) rules regarding expense reporting requirements for program participants; and
(B) rules for implementing this subchapter in a manner that ensures compliance with federal law regarding confidentiality of student educational information, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g); and
(2) coordinate as necessary to:
(A) calculate annually the savings to the state from the implementation of the program; and
(B) prevent fraud in financial transactions under the program, including by adopting measures to permit anonymous fraud reporting by telephone hotline or online communication.
Sec. 29.371. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The comptroller may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for any expenses related to the administration of the program, including the initial implementation of the program.
Businesses, nonprofits and individuals would be allowed to make donations or award grants to supplement the program funding, routed through the comptroller's office.
SECTION 1.02. Section 42.253, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), the commissioner shall adjust enrollment estimates and entitlement for each school district for each school year based on information provided by the comptroller under Section 29.367 and the certified educational assistance organization under Section 230.0513, Insurance Code. This subsection expires September 1, 2021.
SECTION 1.03. Section 411.0901, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
(a-1) The Texas Education Agency is entitled to obtain criminal history record information maintained by the department about a person who is a private tutor or an employee of a teaching service who intends to provide educational services to a child participating in the program established under Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, and is seeking approval to receive funds distributed under that program.
SECTION 1.04. This article applies beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.
ARTICLE 2. TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
SECTION 2.01. Subtitle B, Title 3, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Chapter 230 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 230. CREDIT AGAINST PREMIUM TAXES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO CERTIFIED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION
This portion of the bill creates the tax credit scholarship program, which would allow certain businesses to claim tax credits for donating money to student scholarships for private schools.
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 230.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Educational assistance organization" means an organization that:
(A) has the ability according to the organization's charter to award scholarships to or pay educational expenses for eligible students in:
The comptroller would designate one nonprofit organization to be responsible for taking donations from businesses and for awarding scholarships to eligible students.
(i) public elementary or secondary schools located in this state; or
(ii) nonpublic elementary or secondary schools located in this state:
(a) that meet the requirements of Section 230.052;
(b) at which a student may fulfill this state's compulsory attendance requirements; and
(c) that are not in violation of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. Section 2000a et seq.); and
(B) uses part of its annual revenue for the purpose provided by Paragraph (A).
(2) "State premium tax liability" means any liability incurred by an entity under Chapter 221, 222, or 224.
Under SB 3, most businesses in Texas would not be eligible to receive a tax credit for donating to the state’s tax credit scholarship program. The program only offers a tax credit toward various insurance premium taxes, which the state only assesses upon insurance companies.
Donating businesses should be insurers under these chapters of the state insurance code, which includes property, health, and casualty insurance.
Sec. 230.002. RULES; PROCEDURES. (a) The comptroller shall adopt rules and procedures to implement, administer, and enforce this chapter.
(b) A rule adopted under Subsection (a) is binding on an organization that applies for certification as an educational assistance organization, an entity that applies for a credit, and a state or local governmental entity, including a political subdivision, as necessary to implement, administer, and enforce this chapter.
SUBCHAPTER B. SCHOLARSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENSE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Sec. 230.051. SELECTION OF CERTIFIED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION. (a) An organization may apply to the comptroller for certification as a certified educational assistance organization during an application period provided by the comptroller.
The certified educational assistance organization authorized to distribute tax credit scholarship funds should be a Texas non-profit in good standing. It could take a maximum 10 percent of the money donated by businesses for administrative costs.
(b) To be eligible for certification, the organization:
(1) must:
(A) be exempt from federal tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by being listed as an exempt organization in Section 501(c)(3) of that code;
(B) be in good standing with the state;
(C) be located in the state;
(D) of the organization's annual revenue from contributions that are designated for scholarships or educational expense assistance for eligible students under this chapter, allocate:
(i) at least 75 percent for scholarships for eligible students to attend nonpublic schools;
(ii) at least 15 percent for assistance for educational expenses, including tuition, transportation, and instructional materials and other supplies, and for other related educational expense assistance as described by this section; and
(iii) not more than 10 percent for administrative expenses;
Of the $25 million available each fiscal year for the tax credit scholarship program, 75 percent would go to private school tuition, 15 percent to homeschooling expenses and a maximum of 10 percent to the organization for administration fees.
(E) award scholarships and assistance for qualifying educational expenses to eligible students who demonstrate the greatest financial and academic need;
(F) agree to give each donor a receipt for money contributed to the organization that includes the name of the organization, the name of the donor, the amount of the contribution, the information required by Section 230.054(c), and any other information required by the comptroller;
(G) demonstrate experience and technical expertise in:
(i) accepting, processing, and tracking applications for scholarships or educational expense assistance; and
(ii) awarding scholarships to students in primary or secondary schools;
(H) agree to be independently audited on an annual basis and file the audit with the comptroller; and
(I) disburse within two academic years of receipt contributions received from and designated by entities for scholarships or educational expense assistance under this chapter; and
(2) may not:
(A) award all scholarships under this chapter to students who attend a particular school or pay educational expenses incurred only at a particular school;
(B) provide to a student a scholarship in an annual amount that exceeds the amount provided under Section 230.055(a) or (b), unless the money used to provide the portion of the scholarship in excess of that amount was contributed by a person other than an entity that notifies the organization under Section 230.054(c) that the entity may apply for a tax credit for the contribution; and
The nonprofit organization would have a limit on the amount of money it can award a single student for private school tuition and education expenses, prorated based on family income. It could only exceed that limit if a business donates the additional money to the program without receiving a tax credit in return.
(C) provide to a student educational expense assistance in excess of the amount provided under Section 230.055(c) per academic year, unless the money used to provide the portion of the assistance in excess of that amount was contributed by a person other than an entity that notifies the organization under Section 230.054(c) that the entity may apply for a tax credit for the contribution, including assistance for:
(i) facility fees;
(ii) instructional materials;
(iii) school supplies;
(iv) tutoring;
(v) academic after-school programs;
(vi) school or lab fees; and
(vii) transportation expenses, including the cost to transfer from one public school to another.
Students would be able to use any additional donations from businesses not receiving tax credits for expenses including textbooks, school supplies, tutoring and transportation expenses. This money would be allowed to exceed the $500 maximum the bill allows for education expenses.
Students could use tax credit scholarships to stay enrolled in a public school if they were using the money to transfer from one public school to another. This is different from the education savings account program, which requires students to leave their public schools to access the funds.
(c) The comptroller shall certify one organization as the primary certified educational assistance organization and one organization as the secondary certified educational assistance organization. The comptroller shall select the organizations to certify as the primary and secondary certified educational assistance organizations from among the organizations that apply under Subsection (a) and meet the requirements of Subsection (b). The comptroller has broad discretion in selecting the primary and secondary certified educational assistance organizations.
The comptroller would choose two organizations to administer the program. The primary organization would be responsible for processing donations and providing money to families. The secondary organization would serve as backup, in case the first failed to comply with state requirements.
(d) The comptroller shall notify all organizations that apply under Subsection (a) of the comptroller's selection under Subsection (c).
(e) The comptroller shall attempt to maintain one primary and one secondary certified educational assistance organization at all times. The comptroller shall provide an application period under Subsection (a) as soon as practicable after the comptroller learns there is, or is likely to be, a vacancy for the primary or secondary certified educational assistance organization.
(f) The comptroller's selection under Subsection (c) is final and is not appealable.
Sec. 230.0511. PERFORMANCE OF CERTIFIED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATION POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the organization certified as the primary certified educational assistance organization shall perform the powers and duties assigned to the certified educational assistance organization under this chapter.
(b) The organization certified as the secondary certified educational assistance organization shall perform the powers and duties assigned to the certified educational assistance organization under this chapter if:
(1) the organization certified as the primary certified educational assistance organization has its certification revoked; or
(2) the comptroller otherwise determines the organization certified as the primary educational assistance organization is unable to perform the powers and duties assigned to the certified educational assistance organization under this chapter.
(c) A reference in this chapter or other law to the certified educational assistance organization means the organization performing the powers and duties of the certified educational assistance organization under Subsection (a) or (b).
Sec. 230.0512. INFORMATION REGARDING SCHOLARSHIPS. (a) The certified educational assistance organization shall make information about scholarships under this chapter available to parents of a student who is eligible to apply for assistance under Section 230.053(a)(3)(E) through the organization's Internet website.
(b) The information made available must include a notice that:
(1) states that a nonpublic school is not subject to laws regarding the provision of educational services in the same manner as a public school, and a student with a disability attending a nonpublic school may not receive the services a student with a disability attending a public school is entitled to receive under federal and state law; and
(2) provides information regarding rights to which a student with a disability is entitled under federal and state law if the student attends a public school, including:
(A) rights provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.), including:
(i) an individualized education program;
(ii) educational services provided in the least restrictive environment;
(iii) instruction from certified teachers;
(iv) due process hearings to ensure proper and full implementation of an individualized education program;
(v) transition and planning services; and
(vi) supplementary aids and services;
(B) rights provided under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code; and
(C) other rights provided under federal or state law.
Sec. 230.0513. REPORTING NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS. (a) Not later than October 1 of each year, the certified educational assistance organization shall notify the commissioner of education and the Legislative Budget Board of the likely number of students who will enroll in a nonpublic school instead of a public school using scholarships under this chapter, disaggregated by the school district or open-enrollment charter school the students would otherwise attend.
(b) Not later than March 1 of each year, the certified educational assistance organization shall provide final information to the commissioner of education and the Legislative Budget Board regarding the actual number of students described by Subsection (a), disaggregated in the same manner as the initial information under that subsection.
Sec. 230.052. NONPUBLIC SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS. The certified educational assistance organization may not award scholarships to or pay educational expenses for eligible students enrolled in a nonpublic school unless the nonpublic school executes a notarized affidavit, with supporting documents, concerning the school's qualification for scholarships and educational expense assistance for eligible students who receive assistance from the certified educational assistance organization, including evidence of:
(1) accreditation by the Texas Education Agency or by an organization that is recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission;
(2) annual administration of a nationally norm-referenced assessment instrument or the appropriate assessment instrument required under Section 39.023, Education Code;
(3) valid certificate of occupancy; and
(4) policy statements regarding:
(A) admissions;
(B) curriculum;
(C) safety;
(D) food service inspection; and
(E) student to teacher ratios.
Sec. 230.053. ELIGIBILITY OF STUDENTS; INCLUSION IN CALCULATION OF EQUALIZED WEALTH LEVEL. (a) A student is eligible to apply to the certified educational assistance organization for a scholarship or educational expense assistance under this chapter if:
Students are eligible for tax credit scholarships if they have a high level of academic or financial need and at the same time want to leave the public school system.
Just like the education savings account program, this program is only open to residents of counties with populations of 285,000 or more -- unless five percent of registered voters petition the county for access.
The bill considers students to have high academic or financial need if they are in foster care, institutional care, have a parent in the military or have a household income under a given level. A family of three would have to make less than $75,078 for a student to be eligible.
Students with disabilities are eligible for this program, no matter their income.
In addition to meeting at least one of those standards, students must have been enrolled in a public school for the year prior to taking the program money.
(1) the student resides in a public school district located in whole or in part in a county:
(A) with a population of 285,000 or more based upon the 2010 census; or
(B) in which the residents have approved participation in the program under Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, and receipt of scholarships and educational expense assistance under this chapter, as provided by Section 29.354(a-1), Education Code;
(2) the student attended a public school in this state during the entire preceding academic year; and
(3) the student:
(A) is in foster care;
(B) is in institutional care;
(C) has a parent who is on active duty in the military;
(D) resides in a household with income not greater than 175 percent of the income guidelines necessary to qualify for the national free or reduced-price lunch program established under 42 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq.; or
(E) is eligible under Section 29.003, Education Code, to participate in a school district's special education program, or is covered by Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794).
(b) In addition to the students eligible under Subsection (a), a student is eligible to apply for assistance from the certified educational assistance organization under this chapter if the student:
(1) meets the requirements of Subsection (a)(1); and
(2) previously qualified under Subsections (a)(2) and (3).
(c) A student may continue to receive assistance under this chapter until the earlier of the date the student graduates from high school or the student's 22nd birthday if the student:
(1) meets the requirements of Subsection (a)(1); and
(2) previously qualified under Subsections (a)(2) and (3)(E).
(d) The certified educational assistance organization shall award scholarships and educational expense assistance to eligible students who apply in accordance with this chapter.
(e) The certified educational assistance organization shall provide to each parent of a student with a disability who applies for a scholarship or educational expense assistance under this chapter a written copy of the notice described by Section 230.0512(b). Before the organization may award a scholarship or educational expense assistance to the student, the student's parent must sign and return the notice to the organization.
The organization is required to send written notices to parents of students with disabilities, letting them know that neither federal nor state law requires private schools to provide them with services, unlike in public schools.
(f) A student who receives a scholarship under this chapter is included for the first year the student receives the scholarship in the weighted average daily attendance of the school district the student would otherwise attend for purposes of determining the district's equalized wealth level under Chapter 41, Education Code.
As with the education savings account program, the state would allow a property wealthy district to count students who take tax credit scholarships in its state funding formula for one year. This is intended to prevent the district from seeing dramatic drops in enrollment.
Sec. 230.054. CREDIT FOR CONTRIBUTIONS. (a) An entity may apply for a credit under this chapter only for money contributed to the certified educational assistance organization and designated for scholarships or educational expense assistance for eligible students.
(b) An entity may not apply for a credit under this chapter for a contribution made to the certified educational assistance organization if:
(1) the entity requires that the contribution benefit a particular person or school; or
(2) the contribution is designated to provide a scholarship or educational expense assistance for an entity employee or for a spouse or dependent of an entity employee.
Donating businesses would not be able to apply for a tax credit under this program if they directed their contributions toward a specific school or person.
(c) An entity shall notify the certified educational assistance organization in writing when the entity makes a contribution if the entity may apply for a tax credit under this chapter for the contribution. An entity may not apply for a credit for the contribution unless the entity provides the notification at the time the contribution is made. The certified educational assistance organization shall indicate on the receipt provided under Section 230.051(b)(1)(F) that the entity made the notification under this subsection.
Sec. 230.055. LIMIT ON AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP OR EDUCATIONAL EXPENSE ASSISTANCE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), the maximum scholarship amount the certified educational assistance organization may award to a student under this chapter using money contributed by an entity that notifies the organization under Section 230.054(c) that the entity may apply for a tax credit for the contribution may not exceed 75 percent of the state average maintenance and operations expenditures per student for the preceding state fiscal year.
Under a tax credit scholarship, an eligible student would qualify for a maximum of $6,750 for private school tuition, 75 percent of the average state cost to educate a student. This only applies to money businesses donate in return for a tax credit.
(b) A student who receives a payment to an education savings account under Section 29.358, Education Code, for a year is eligible to receive for the same year a scholarship from the certified educational assistance organization if the student is eligible for that assistance. The maximum scholarship amount the certified educational assistance organization may award to a student to whom this subsection applies using money contributed by an entity that notifies the organization under Section 230.054(c) that the entity may apply for a tax credit for the contribution may not exceed the sum of:
Any student eligible for a tax credit scholarship, which would have more stringent standards than education savings accounts, would be eligible to receive money from both the education savings account and tax credit scholarship programs.
The tax credit scholarship program would pay for the difference between the private school tuition and the amount received through the education savings account program. The student would also receive a transportation allowance of $500.
(1) the difference between the amount of the payment under Section 29.358, Education Code, and the full tuition amount for the student's nonpublic school; and
(2) a transportation allowance not to exceed $500.
(c) The maximum educational expense assistance the certified educational assistance organization may award to a student under this chapter using money contributed by an entity that notifies the organization under Section 230.054(c) that the entity may apply for a tax credit for the contribution may not exceed $500 for the 2018 state fiscal year, increased by five percent each subsequent year.
The tax credit scholarship program would fund a maximum of $500 in educational expenses for students. That amount would increase by 5 percent each year after 2018.
Sec. 230.056. REVOCATION. (a) The comptroller shall revoke the certification provided under Section 230.051 if the comptroller finds that the certified educational assistance organization:
(1) is no longer eligible under Section 230.051; or
(2) intentionally and substantially violates this chapter.
(b) The comptroller has broad discretion in determining whether to revoke a certification under Subsection (a).
As with education savings accounts, the comptroller's office would be tasked with monitoring the tax credit scholarship program. The comptroller can revoke the certification of the nonprofit administering these scholarships if it fails to meet the agency’s standards for that role.
(c) The comptroller shall notify the certified educational assistance organization in writing of the comptroller's decision to revoke the organization's certification. If the comptroller revokes the organization's certification, the comptroller shall include in the notice of revocation the reasons for the revocation.
(d) If the comptroller revokes the certified educational assistance organization's certification under Subsection (a), the organization may request in writing a reconsideration of the revocation not later than the 10th day after the date of the notice under Subsection (c) or the revocation is final.
(e) An organization that requests a reconsideration under Subsection (d) may submit to the comptroller not later than the 30th day after the date the request for reconsideration is submitted additional information and documents to support the organization's request for reconsideration.
(f) The comptroller's reconsideration of a revocation under this section is not a contested case under Chapter 2001, Government Code. The comptroller's decision on a request for reconsideration of a revocation is final and is not appealable.
(g) This section does not create a cause of action to contest a decision of the comptroller to revoke the certified educational assistance organization's certification under this chapter.
(h) Revocation of a certification under this section does not affect the validity of a tax credit relating to a contribution made before the date of revocation.
Sec. 230.057. REPORT OF NET SAVINGS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION. (a) In this section, "net savings" means any positive difference in a state fiscal year between:
(1) the amount by which state spending on public education for that year is reduced as a result of students receiving scholarships and educational expense assistance from the certified educational assistance organization under this chapter; and
(2) the amount by which state revenue derived from Chapters 221, 222, and 224 is reduced as a result of tax credits under this chapter.
(b) Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year, the comptroller shall determine the amount of net savings for the previous state fiscal biennium and make available to the public a report of that amount of savings.
The Legislative Budget Board provided an estimate of the bill’s expected costs to the bill's author Sen. Larry Taylor. The board projected a net cost to state funds of about $8.5 million in 2018 and 2019, and then savings of $9.4 million in 2020, $32.4 million in 2021, and $55.3 million in 2022.
An earlier version of this bill was projected to cost the state as much as $330 million in revenue over the next two years. In revising the bill before it was voted on by the full Senate, Taylor scaled back both the overall number and the type of students who would be eligible for the programs, thereby reducing the estimated cost.
The comptroller would be required to calculate and report the net savings or costs to the state every other year.
SUBCHAPTER C. CREDIT
Sec. 230.101. CREDIT. An entity may apply for a credit against the entity's state premium tax liability in the amount and under the conditions and limitations provided by this chapter. The comptroller shall award credits as provided by Section 230.103.
Sec. 230.102. AMOUNTS; LIMITATION ON TOTAL CREDITS. (a) Subject to Subsections (b) and (c), the amount of an entity's credit is equal to the lesser of the amount of the qualifying contributions made to the certified educational assistance organization or 50 percent of the entity's state premium tax liability.
Eligible businesses would get a tax credit for all of their contributions as long as that total value is less than half of their premium tax liability. Only property, health, and casualty insurers can receive tax credits through this program.
(b) The total amount of tax credits that may be awarded under this chapter for each state fiscal year may not exceed $25 million.
The bill would cap the total value of tax credits awarded to donating businesses under this program to $25 million per fiscal year.
(c) The comptroller by rule shall prescribe procedures by which the comptroller may allocate credits under this chapter. The procedures must provide that credits are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date the contribution was initially made.
(d) The comptroller may require an entity to notify the comptroller of the amount the entity intends or expects to apply for under this chapter before the beginning of a state fiscal year or at any other time required by the comptroller.
Sec. 230.103. APPLICATION FOR CREDIT. (a) An entity must apply for a credit under this chapter on or with the tax return for the taxable year during which the qualifying contributions were made and submit with the application each receipt issued under Section 230.051(b)(1)(F) that includes the information required by Section 230.054(c).
(b) The comptroller shall adopt a form for the application for the credit. An entity must use this form in applying for the credit.
(c) The comptroller may award a credit to an entity that applies for the credit under Subsection (a) if the entity is eligible for the credit and the credit is available under Section 230.102(b). The comptroller has broad discretion in determining whether to grant or deny an application for a credit.
(d) The comptroller shall notify an entity in writing of the comptroller's decision to grant or deny the application under Subsection (a). If the comptroller denies an entity's application, the comptroller shall include in the notice of denial the reasons for the comptroller's decision.
(e) If the comptroller denies an entity's application under Subsection (a), the entity may request in writing a reconsideration of the application not later than the 10th day after the date of the notice under Subsection (d). If the entity does not request a reconsideration of the application on or before that date, the comptroller's decision is final.
(f) An entity that requests a reconsideration under Subsection (e) may submit to the comptroller not later than the 30th day after the date the request for reconsideration is submitted additional information and documents to support the entity's request for reconsideration.
(g) The comptroller's reconsideration of an application under this section is not a contested case under Chapter 2001, Government Code. The comptroller's decision on a request for reconsideration of an application is final and is not appealable.
(h) This section does not create a cause of action to contest a decision of the comptroller to deny an application for a credit under this chapter.
Sec. 230.104. ASSIGNMENT PROHIBITED; EXCEPTION. An entity may not convey, assign, or transfer the credit allowed under this chapter to another entity unless all of the assets of the entity are conveyed, assigned, or transferred in the same transaction.
Sec. 230.105. NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF CREDIT. The comptroller shall provide notice of the availability of the credit under this chapter on the comptroller's Internet website, in the instructions for insurance premium tax report forms, and in any notice sent to an entity concerning the requirement to file an insurance premium tax report.
SECTION 2.02. An entity may apply for a credit under Chapter 230, Insurance Code, as added by this article, only for an expenditure made on or after the effective date of this article.
SECTION 2.03. Not later than February 15, 2018, the comptroller of public accounts shall adopt rules as provided by Section 230.002(a), Insurance Code, as added by this article.
SECTION 2.04. The comptroller of public accounts shall make the initial determination of net savings and report regarding that savings as required by Section 230.057, Insurance Code, as added by this article, not later than December 31, 2020, based on the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2019.
SECTION 2.05. This article applies only to a report originally due on or after the effective date of this article.
SECTION 2.06. This article takes effect January 1, 2018.
ARTICLE 3. JUDICIAL REVIEW
SECTION 3.01. (a) The constitutionality and other validity under the state or federal constitution of all or any part of Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, as added by this Act, or Chapter 230, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, may be determined in an action for declaratory judgment in a district court in Travis County under Chapter 37, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, except that this section does not authorize an award of attorney's fees against this state and Section 37.009, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, does not apply to an action filed under this section. This section does not authorize a taxpayer suit to contest the denial of a tax credit by the comptroller of public accounts.
(b) An appeal of a declaratory judgment or order, however characterized, of a district court, including an appeal of the judgment of an appellate court, holding or otherwise determining that all or any part of Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, as added by this Act, or Chapter 230, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, is constitutional or unconstitutional, or otherwise valid or invalid, under the state or federal constitution is an accelerated appeal.
(c) If the judgment or order is interlocutory, an interlocutory appeal may be taken from the judgment or order and is an accelerated appeal.
(d) A district court in Travis County may grant or deny a temporary or otherwise interlocutory injunction or a permanent injunction on the grounds of the constitutionality or unconstitutionality, or other validity or invalidity, under the state or federal constitution of all or any part of Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, as added by this Act, or Chapter 230, Insurance Code, as added by this Act.
(e) There is a direct appeal to the Texas Supreme Court from an order, however characterized, of a trial court granting or denying a temporary or otherwise interlocutory injunction or a permanent injunction on the grounds of the constitutionality or unconstitutionality, or other validity or invalidity, under the state or federal constitution of all or any part of Subchapter J, Chapter 29, Education Code, as added by this Act, or Chapter 230, Insurance Code, as added by this Act.
(f) The direct appeal is an accelerated appeal.
(g) This section exercises the authority granted by Section 3-b, Article V, Texas Constitution.
(h) The filing of a direct appeal under this section will automatically stay any temporary or otherwise interlocutory injunction or permanent injunction granted in accordance with this section pending final determination by the Texas Supreme Court, unless the supreme court makes specific findings that the applicant seeking such injunctive relief has pleaded and proved that:
(1) the applicant has a probable right to the relief it seeks on final hearing; and
(2) the applicant will suffer a probable injury that is imminent and irreparable, and that the applicant has no other adequate legal remedy.
(i) An appeal under this section, including an interlocutory, accelerated, or direct appeal, is governed, as applicable, by the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, including Rules 25.1(d)(6), 26.1(b), 28.1, 28.3, 32.1(g), 37.3(a)(1), 38.6(a) and (b), 40.1(b), and 49.4.
ARTICLE 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 4.01. Except as otherwise provided by this Act:
(1) 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; and
(2) if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.