88(4) HB 115 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of an education savings account |
 
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program. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    The purpose of this Act is to: |
 
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                         (1)    provide additional educational options to assist |
 
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families in this state in exercising the right to direct the |
 
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educational needs of their children; and |
 
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                         (2)    achieve a general diffusion of knowledge. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding |
 
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Subchapter J to read as follows: |
 
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SUBCHAPTER J. EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM |
 
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             Sec.  29.351.    DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
 
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                         (1)    "Account" means an education savings account |
 
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established under the program. |
 
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                         (2)    "Approved educational assistance organization" |
 
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means an organization approved under Section 29.354 to support the |
 
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administration of the program. |
 
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                         (3)    "Approved education-related expense" means an |
 
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expense approved under Section 29.359. |
 
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                         (4)    "Child with a disability" means a child who is |
 
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eligible to participate in a school district's special education |
 
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program under Section 29.003. |
 
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                         (5)    "Cocurricular activity" means an activity that |
 
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directly adds value to classroom instruction and curriculum, |
 
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including an academic field trip, performance, contest, or display.   |
 
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The term does not include an athletic or other nonacademic |
 
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activity. |
 
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                         (6)    "Higher education provider" means an institution |
 
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of higher education or a private or independent institution of |
 
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higher education, as those terms are defined by Section 61.003. |
 
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                         (7)    "Parent" means a resident of this state who is a |
 
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natural or adoptive parent, managing or possessory conservator, |
 
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legal guardian, custodian, or other person with legal authority to |
 
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act on behalf of a child. |
 
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                         (8)    "Program" means the program established under this |
 
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subchapter. |
 
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                         (9)    "Program participant" means a child and a parent |
 
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of a child enrolled in the program. |
 
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             Sec.  29.352.    ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM. The comptroller |
 
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shall establish a program to provide funding for approved |
 
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education-related expenses of children participating in the |
 
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program. |
 
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             Sec.  29.353.    PROGRAM FUND. (a) The program fund is an |
 
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account in the general revenue fund to be administered by the |
 
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comptroller. |
 
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             (b)    The fund is composed of: |
 
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                         (1)    general revenue transferred to the fund; |
 
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                         (2)    money appropriated to the fund; |
 
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                         (3)    gifts, grants, and donations received under |
 
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Section 29.370; and |
 
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                         (4)    any other money available for purposes of the |
 
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program. |
 
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             (c)    Money in the fund may be appropriated only for the uses |
 
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specified by this subchapter. |
 
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             Sec.  29.354.    SELECTION OF APPROVED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE |
 
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ORGANIZATIONS. (a) An organization may apply to the comptroller |
 
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for approval as an approved educational assistance organization |
 
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during an application period established by the comptroller. |
 
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             (b)    To be eligible for approval, an organization must: |
 
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                         (1)    have the ability to perform the duties and |
 
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functions required of an approved educational assistance |
 
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organization under this subchapter; |
 
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                         (2)    be in good standing with the state; and |
 
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                         (3)    be able to assist the comptroller in administeringStatutes affected: Introduced: Education Code 22.092, Government Code 411.109 (Government Code 411, Education Code 22)
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