bill limiting districts to state-approved instructional materials

The text as introduced · 380 words

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.