HBA-MPM H.B. 379 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 379 By: Garcia Public Education 4/9/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, more than 100 languages are spoken in the homes of Texas public school students. In 19992000, approximately 555,470 students of limited English proficiency (LEP) were identified in Texas. Bilingual education and English as a second language programs help these students succeed academically. The current funding formula for bilingual education and special language programs might not be adequate to cover the costs of serving the needs of LEP students in Texas. House Bill 379 increases from 0.1 to 0.2 the multiplier used to calculate the annual allotment for a school district to fund a bilingual education or special language program. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 379 amends the Education Code to increase from 0.1 to 0.2 the multiplier used to calculate the annual allotment to which a school district is entitled for each student in average daily attendance in a bilingual education or special language program. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.