TO:	Honorable Jimmie Don Aycock, Chair, House Committee on Public Education
FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB65 by Nelson (Relating to a program to recognize public schools with successful student health and fitness programs.), As Engrossed

The bill would establish a healthy schools recognition program to recognize schools that successfully implemented programs that encouraged student health and fitness. The commissioner would be required to adopt rules to determine which schools qualified for recognition and the level of recognition. The bill would explicitly prohibit any funds other than gifts, grants, or donations from being used to develop or implement the program.

The bill has no direct fiscal implications for the Foundation School Program (FSP) or the operations of the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Existing agency staff would develop rules for the program, approve entities to recognize schools under the program, accept and evaluate applications, and solicit gifts, grants, or donations. If a large number of schools chose to apply for recognition through the program, the TEA might need to solicit gifts or grants in an amount sufficient to hire a full-time equivalent to administer the program.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. No new administrative costs would be required of local school districts unless the school districts chose to participate and apply for recognition. Any administrative costs might be offset by either monetary or in-kind rewards.