H.B. No. 276 amends the Texas Education Code to redefine the calculation of average enrollment for public school finance, shifting from a reliance on daily attendance metrics to an average of students enrolled throughout the school year. The bill introduces provisions for funding adjustments for districts experiencing significant enrollment declines, particularly those affected by military base closures or disasters. It also clarifies the responsibilities of the commissioner in adjusting enrollment figures for districts with migratory children or those impacted by calamities. The legislation aims to create a more equitable funding system by focusing on enrollment figures, which better represent student populations.

The bill includes multiple amendments to replace references to "daily attendance" with "average enrollment" across various sections of the Education Code, affecting funding calculations for charter schools, adult education programs, and other educational initiatives. It specifies that students with excused absences will be counted as present for funding purposes and allows for the inclusion of students in alternative education programs or juvenile facilities in average enrollment figures. Additionally, the bill outlines criteria for exemptions in special education programs and conditions for issuing bonds based on enrollment figures, ultimately seeking to enhance accountability and financial management within school districts while ensuring equitable funding allocation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 48.005, Education Code 7.062, Education Code 11.052, Education Code 12.106, Education Code 12.263, Education Code 13.051, Education Code 13.102, Education Code 13.283, Education Code 25.038, Education Code 25.045, Education Code 25.081, Education Code 25.087, Education Code 25.111, Education Code 25.112, Education Code 29.008, Education Code 29.014, Education Code 29.081, Education Code 29.0822, Education Code 29.184, Education Code 29.203, Education Code 29.403, Education Code 29.912, Education Code 30.003, Education Code 30.102, Education Code 33.157, Education Code 37.0061, Education Code 37.008, Education Code 39.027, Education Code 39.262, Education Code 43.001, Education Code 44.004, Education Code 45.0011, Education Code 45.006, Education Code 45.105, Education Code 45.003, Education Code 46.005, Education Code 46.006, Education Code 46.032, Education Code 48.0051, Education Code 48.006, Education Code 48.010, Education Code 48.051, Education Code 48.052, Education Code 48.101, Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.105, Education Code 48.106, Education Code 48.107, Education Code 48.108, Education Code 48.109, Education Code 48.115, Education Code 48.118, Education Code 48.152, Education Code 48.153, Education Code 48.202, Education Code 48.256, Education Code 48.2642, Education Code 48.273, Education Code 48.277, Education Code 49.001, Education Code 49.002, Education Code 49.003, Education Code 49.151, Education Code 49.153, Education Code 49.156, Education Code 49.157, Education Code 49.158, Education Code 49.201, Education Code 49.203, Education Code 49.205, Education Code 49.257, Education Code 49.258, Education Code 49.305, Education Code 49.306, Education Code 49.311, Education Code 49.354, Government Code 403.104, Government Code 1371.001, Government Code 1431.001, Local Government Code 48.005 (Education Code 29, Education Code 39, Education Code 12, Education Code 48, Education Code 37, Government Code 403, Government Code 1371, Education Code 33, Education Code 13, Education Code 25, Education Code 30, Education Code 7, Education Code 11, Education Code 46, Local Government Code 48, Education Code 44, Education Code 45, Government Code 1431, Education Code 49, Education Code 43)