89R3771 KJE-D     By: Menéndez S.B. No. 192       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a grant program to reimburse public schools for certain   costs associated with hiring retired teachers.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 21.416 to read as follows:          Sec. 21.416.  EMPLOYED RETIREE TEACHER REIMBURSEMENT GRANT   PROGRAM. (a)  From money appropriated or otherwise available, the   commissioner shall establish and administer a grant program to   reimburse a school district, an open-enrollment charter school, the   Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf, or the Texas   School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for the increased   contributions to the Teacher Retirement System associated with   hiring a teacher who retired before September 1, 2024.          (b)  In appropriating money for grants awarded under this   section, the legislature may provide for, modify, or limit amounts   appropriated for that purpose in the General Appropriations Act,   including by:                 (1)  providing, notwithstanding Subsection (a), a date   or date range other than September 1, 2024, before which a teacher   must have retired for a school district, an open-enrollment charter   school, the Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf,   or the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to be   eligible; or                (2)  limiting eligibility to a district or school   described by Subdivision (1) that hires a retired teacher:                      (A)  who holds a certain certification;                      (B)  to teach a certain subject or grade;                       (C)  in a certain geographical area; or                      (D)  to provide instruction to certain students,   including to students with disabilities.          (c)  If the total amount of money sought by eligible   districts or schools exceeds the amount of money appropriated or   otherwise available for the purpose, the commissioner shall   prioritize awarding grants to eligible districts or schools with   the most need, beginning with districts or schools that hire a   retired teacher to teach special education or bilingual education.          (d)  A school district, an open-enrollment charter school,   the Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf, or the   Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired may use money   received under this section to make required payments under Section   825.4092, Government Code.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   school year.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.