HB 259 — The publication of annual financial statements by public

90R2250 PRL-D By: Curry H.B. No. 259 relating to the publication of annual financial statements by public schools.

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 12, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 12.1169 to read as follows: Sec. 12.1169. PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The governing body of an open-enrollment charter school shall take action to ensure that the school's financial statement prepared under Section 140.005, Local Government Code, is made available in the manner provided by Chapter 552, Government Code, and is posted continuously on the school's Internet website.

SECTION 2. The heading to Section 140.006, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 140.006. PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT BY [ SCHOOL, ] ROAD[ , ] OR OTHER DISTRICT.

SECTION 3. Sections 140.006(a), (d), and (e), Local Government Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) Except as provided by Subsection [ Subsections (c) and ] (e), the presiding officer of a governing body shall submit a financial statement prepared under Section 140.005 to a newspaper in each county in which the district or any part of the district is located. (d) A statement shall be published not later than two months after the date the fiscal year ends[ , except that a school district's statement shall be published not later than the 150th day after the date the fiscal year ends and in accordance with the accounting method required by the Texas Education Agency ]. (e) This section does not apply to : (1) a school district; (2) an open-enrollment charter school; or (3) an entity created under Section 52, Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.

SECTION 4. Section 140.006(c), Local Government Code, is repealed.

SECTION 5. 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, 2027.