Sec. 48.1021. SPECIAL EDUCATION ALLOTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The commissioner shall establish an advisory committee to develop and make recommendations regarding methods of financing special education under the public school finance system.

(b) The advisory committee consists of the following members appointed by the commissioner:

(1) a parent of a student eligible to participate in a school district's special education program under Section 29.003;

(2) a director of a school district's special education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29;

(3) a teacher certified in special education;

(4) a diagnostician;

(5) a licensed specialist in school psychology;

(6) a provider who provides related services, as described by Section 29.002(2);

(7) a superintendent of a school district;

(8) a member of a school district's board of trustees;

(9) a representative of a disability advocacy organization;

(10) a member of the special education continuing advisory committee under Section 29.006;

(11) a teacher certified in general education;

(12) a student eligible to participate in a school district's special education program under Section 29.003;

(13) a representative of a regional education service center; and

(14) a school district official who handles business and finance matters for the district.

(c) Not later than May 1, 2020, the advisory committee, with assistance from the Legislative Budget Board, shall submit to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over public education a report on methods of financing special education under the public school finance system. The report must include:

(1) a description of the current funding methods;

(2) an analysis of the possible implementation of a method of financing special education based on the services and supports each student receives instead of instructional arrangement;

(3) data on current special education expenditures from a representative sample of school districts; and

(4) recommendations for improvements to the current funding methods or for the implementation of new funding methods.

(d) This section expires September 1, 2021.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 943 (H.B. 3), Sec. 1.026, eff. June 12, 2019.