1. (a) The legislature may appropriate money from the foundation school fund or other sources for grants to regional education service centers. Money appropriated under this section shall be distributed to regional education service centers as:

   1. (1) competitive grants for developing and implementing innovative regional strategies or programs; or
   2. (2) emergency grants for providing adequate services under Section 8.051 to small and isolated school districts or, in extreme circumstances, other school districts.

2. (b) The commissioner may adopt rules governing:

   1. (1) the strategies, programs, and regions eligible for funding under this section; and
   2. (2) the amount of money that may be distributed to a regional education service center for a specific purpose.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Renumbered from Education Code Sec. 8.123 and amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. May 26, 1997.