HB110 - Relating to the creation of the Texas Education Reform Task Force.

  89R10952 AMF-D     By: Buckley H.B. No. 110       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of the Texas Education Reform Task Force.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  DEFINITION. In this Act, "task force" means the   Texas Education Reform Task Force.          SECTION 2.  TEXAS EDUCATION REFORM TASK FORCE. (a) The task   force is established to develop and make recommendations regarding   statutory reform of the Education Code and the public school   system.          (b)  The task force consists of 13 members appointed as   follows:                (1)  four members appointed by the governor;                (2)  four members appointed by the lieutenant governor;                (3)  four members appointed by the speaker of the house   of representatives; and                (4)  a member of the State Board of Education, as   designated by the chair of that board.          (c)  The members appointed by the governor must have an   interest in public education and include at least:                (1)  one current or retired classroom teacher with at   least 10 years of teaching experience;                (2)  one member of the business community; and                (3)  one member of the civic community.          (d)  The appointments made by the lieutenant governor and the   speaker of the house of representatives must each consist of:                (1)  three members of the applicable legislative   chamber; and                (2)  an administrator in the public school system or an   elected member of the board of trustees of a school district.          (e)  In making appointments under Subsections (b)(1), (2),   and (3), the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the   house of representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the   membership of the task force reflects, to the extent possible, the   ethnic and geographic diversity of this state.          SECTION 3.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall designate   the presiding officer of the task force.          SECTION 4.  COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the   task force is not entitled to compensation for service on the task   force but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary   expenses incurred in performing task force duties.          SECTION 5.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDING. (a)  The   Texas Education Agency shall provide administrative support for the   task force.          (b)  Funding for the administrative and operational expenses   of the task force shall be provided by legislative appropriation   made to the Texas Education Agency for that purpose.          SECTION 6.  RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The task force shall   develop recommendations for statutory changes to address issues   related to the regulation of public education in this state,   including recommendations for changes that:                (1)  promote efficiency;                (2)  reduce regulatory burdens; and                (3)  return focus to educational priorities.          (b)  The task force may establish one or more working groups   composed of not more than five members of the task force to study,   discuss, and address specific statutory issues and recommendations   to refer to the task force for consideration.          SECTION 7.  REPORT. Not later than August 31, 2026, the task   force shall prepare and deliver a report to the governor and the   legislature that contains recommendations for legislative action   to improve the Education Code and the provision of public education   in accordance with that code.          SECTION 8.  PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a)  The   task force may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill its duties   under this Act.          (b)  The task force is subject to Chapters 551 and 552,   Government Code.          SECTION 9.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The Texas   Education Agency may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any   source to support the task force.          SECTION 10.  IMPLEMENTATION.  The task force is required to   implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature   appropriates money specifically for that purpose.  If the   legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that   purpose, the Texas Education Agency may, but is not required to,   support the task force using other appropriations available for   that purpose.          SECTION 11.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  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.