S.B. No. 549 proposes the establishment of a fine arts allotment within the public school finance system in Texas. The bill introduces a new section, 48.116, to the Education Code, which entitles school districts to an annual allotment based on the number of students enrolled in approved fine arts education courses for grades 6 through 12. The allotment is calculated as a multiple of the basic allotment, with different multipliers for students in various grade levels: 1.3 for grades 6-8, 1.2 for grades 9-10, and 1.1 for grades 11-12. The Texas Education Agency is tasked with approving fine arts courses that meet specific criteria, including authorization by the State Board of Education and a minimum of 225 minutes of instruction per week for full-time students.

Additionally, the bill outlines the allocation of funds under this section, mandating that at least 25% of the funds for grades 6-8 prioritize students eligible for compensatory education, while 50% of the total funds must be dedicated to fine arts education for students in grades 6-8. Furthermore, it stipulates that at least 75% of the funds allocated for grades 9-12 must be used for fine arts courses for those students. The agency is also required to publish an annual list of approved fine arts courses. This act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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