Texas House Bill HB1839

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 5/11/09

Caption

Relating to the selection by school districts of sites for new schools; providing a penalty.

Impact

The implementation of HB1839 is expected to standardize how school districts approach new school site selection, thereby enhancing accountability and promoting better environmental stewardship. By mandating a structured process, the bill aims to ensure that districts properly assess environmental factors and community feedback before finalizing site locations. This could lead to more environmentally sound school construction practices and potentially safeguard students' health by avoiding locations with known hazards.

Summary

House Bill 1839 requires school districts in Texas to develop and adopt a site selection policy prior to selecting a site for constructing a new school. The bill mandates that such policies must be filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) at least 30 days before the commencement of the site selection process. This is intended to ensure that there is a clear and transparent process that considers both public input and environmental conditions at proposed sites. The policies must also include specific criteria for evaluating potential locations, including safety, accessibility, soil condition, and air quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, HB1839 stands to impact education and infrastructure in Texas by ensuring a more regulated and community-oriented approach to school site selection. The integration of environmental assessments into the school construction process demands a higher level of planning and due diligence from school authorities, ultimately prioritizing both educational needs and public health.

Contention

As with any legislative measure, there are points of contention. Supporters of HB1839 argue that it provides necessary oversight and promotes the health and safety of students and communities. However, some critics may worry that the additional regulations could slow down the school construction process or impose an undue administrative burden on smaller school districts. Additionally, concerns about the effectiveness of public input in the site selection process may arise, questioning whether this requirement will genuinely reflect community voices or merely serve as a formality.