House Sponsors: LANG-FOWLER-FORBY-HOWARD-KENNER, GRANBERG, MAY, SCULLY, FLOWERS, COLLINS, JONES,LOU, O'BRIEN, RYAN, CURRY,JULIE, DAVIS,MONIQUE, CROTTY, MCKEON, FEIGENHOLTZ, MENDOZA, YARBROUGH, MILLER, NOVAK, SMITH,MICHAEL, BOLAND, BRADLEY AND OSTERMAN. Short description: FUND EDUCATION FIRST ACT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Creates the Fund Education First Act. Beginning with fiscal year 2002, and in each fiscal year thereafter, provides that until the sum of State and federal spending for elementary and secondary education for the fiscal year represents 50% of the total revenues that the State Superintendent of Education estimates are available from local, State, and federal sources for elementary and secondary education for that fiscal year, the amount appropriated by the General Assembly from general funds for educational programs for that fiscal year shall be at least equal to the sum of (1) 51% of total new general funds available for spending from certain sources during that fiscal year, plus (2) the total amount appropriated from general funds for educational programs during the preceding fiscal year. Requires the Governor, beginning with fiscal year 2003, to include in his or her annual budget an allocation for education that conforms to the provisions of the Fund Education First Act. Effective immediately. FISCAL NOTE (State Board of Education) It is difficult to determine the exact fiscal impact. It is unclear what revenues available for spending means, particular- ly the growth due to "budgeted program growth and decline ... excluding State retirement contributions". Currently, the gen- eral interpretation of "education" includes retirement contri- butions. It is unclear whether this language actually changes that or not. Moreover, the 2/3 and 1/3 split is one that is often referenced but rarely put into practice in exactly that proportion. Recently, elementary and secondary programs have received a greater share than this allocation would have pro- vided. STATE MANDATES NOTE (State Board of Education) Same as SBE fiscal note. STATE DEBT NOTE (Economic and Fiscal Commission) HB 81 would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: JAN-07-2003 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status