By: Taylor of Galveston  S.B. No. 1659          (In the Senate - Filed March 9, 2017; March 22, 2017, read   first time and referred to Committee on Education; May 1, 2017,   reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the   following vote:  Yeas 11, Nays 0; May 1, 2017, sent to printer.)Click here to see the committee vote     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1659 By:  Taylor of Galveston     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT     relating to the commissioner of education accepting contributions   for the public school system, adopting rules regarding grant   compliance, and establishing grants for high-quality educational   programs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 7.055(b), Education Code, is amended by   adding Subdivision (42) to read as follows:                (42)  The commissioner may accept a gift, grant,   donation, or other contribution on behalf of the public school   system or agency and, unless otherwise specified by the donor, may   use the contribution in the manner the commissioner determines.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 7, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 7.067 to read as follows:          Sec. 7.067.  GRANT COMPLIANCE. (a)  The commissioner may:                (1)  adopt rules to ensure that recipients of   state-funded grants administered by the commissioner or the agency   are in compliance with grant requirements; and                (2)  require a grant recipient to provide information   to the agency detailing grant compliance.          (b)  The commissioner may direct the agency to make a site   visit to a grant recipient to review the recipient's compliance   with grant requirements.  A review conducted under this subsection   is not subject to Section 7.028 or 39.056.          (c)  If the commissioner finds that a grant recipient is not   in compliance with grant requirements, the commissioner may:                (1)  seek the remittance of the grant funds; and                (2)  withhold funding authorized under Section 12.106   or Chapter 42 or any other state funding in an amount sufficient to   recover the grant funds provided to the recipient.          (d)  A decision of the commissioner regarding grant   compliance, including a decision to withhold funding under   Subsection (c), is final and may not be appealed.          SECTION 3.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.924 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.924.  HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM GRANTS.     (a)  The commissioner shall establish a competitive grant program   to assist school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in   implementing high-quality educational programs.          (b)  The commissioner may adopt rules on the use of grant   funds under this section, including rules determining eligibility,   award amount, and any restrictions. The commissioner may authorize   a grant recipient or a tax-exempt organization contracting with the   grant recipient to use grant funds for facility purposes and   performance-based incentives.          (c)  The commissioner may make grants under this section   using funds from available sources, including gifts, grants, and   donations accepted by the commissioner.  A decision of the   commissioner concerning the amount of funds available for a grant   is final and may not be appealed.          SECTION 4.  The commissioner of education is required to   implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates money   specifically for that purpose.  If the legislature does not   appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the commissioner   of education may, but is not required to, implement this Act using   other appropriations available for the purpose.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.     * * * * *