The bill, H.B. No. 1444, amends Section 31.0211(c) of the Education Code to clarify the permissible uses of funds allotted for instructional materials and technology. The amendments specify that these funds can be used to purchase various types of instructional materials, including consumable materials, bilingual education resources, college preparatory materials, supplemental materials, open educational resources, and necessary technological equipment. Notably, the bill removes the previous language that implied restrictions on purchasing instructional materials based on their approval status by the State Board of Education.

Additionally, the bill outlines allowable expenditures for training educational personnel in the effective use of instructional materials and technology, as well as for technical support and distance learning costs. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and it will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 31.0211 (Education Code 31)