House Bill No. 172 proposes the establishment of a fine arts allotment within the public school finance system in Texas. The bill introduces a new section, Section 48.116, to the Education Code, which stipulates that school districts will receive an annual allotment for each student in average daily attendance enrolled in approved fine arts education courses for grades 6 through 12. The allotment is calculated as a percentage of the basic allotment, specifically multiplied by 0.008. The Texas Education Agency is tasked with approving the fine arts courses that qualify for this allotment, which must include subjects such as music, art, theater, and dance, and require students to receive a minimum of 225 minutes of instruction per week.

Additionally, the agency is required to publish an annual list of the approved fine arts courses. This initiative aims to enhance the availability and quality of fine arts education in Texas schools, ensuring that students have access to essential knowledge and skills in the arts. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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