81R8589 EAH-D
By: Patrick H.B. No. 2261
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing a select committee to review the manner in
which textbooks for use in public schools are funded, adopted, and
purchased.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 31, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 31.004 to read as follows:
Sec. 31.004. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires December 31,
2011.
SECTION 2. Chapter 31, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter G to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER G. SELECT COMMITTEE ON TEXTBOOK FUNDING, ADOPTION, AND
PURCHASE
Sec. 31.301. SELECT COMMITTEE ON TEXTBOOK FUNDING,
ADOPTION, AND PURCHASE. (a) The Select Committee on Textbook
Funding, Adoption, and Purchase is established to conduct a
comprehensive review of the manner in which textbooks are funded,
adopted, and purchased.
(b) The committee is composed of nine members appointed as
follows:
(1) the presiding officers of the standing committees
of each house of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over
public education;
(2) the presiding officer of the senate committee with
primary jurisdiction over finance, or the member of the senate
designated by that presiding officer;
(3) the presiding officer of the house of
representatives committee with primary jurisdiction over
appropriations, or the member of the house of representatives
designated by that presiding officer;
(4) one member of the house of representatives
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(5) one member of the senate appointed by the
lieutenant governor;
(6) one public member appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives;
(7) one public member appointed by the lieutenant
governor; and
(8) one public member appointed by the governor.
(c) Committee members appointed under Subsections
(b)(6)-(8) must have knowledge of the public education system and
the textbook funding, adoption, and purchase process.
Sec. 31.302. CO-CHAIRS; COMMITTEE MEETINGS. (a) The
presiding officers described by Section 31.301(b)(1) serve as
co-chairs of the committee.
(b) Committee meetings shall be held at the call of the
co-chairs.
Sec. 31.303. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. (a) A member
of the committee is entitled to reimbursement for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in performing committee duties.
(b) A legislative member of the committee is entitled to
reimbursement from the appropriate fund of the house of the
legislature in which the member serves.
(c) A member other than a legislative member is entitled to
reimbursement from funds appropriated to the committee.
Sec. 31.304. COMMITTEE STAFF. Staff members of the
standing committees described by Section 31.301(b)(1) shall serve
as the staff of the committee.
Sec. 31.305. OBJECTIVES OF REVIEW. (a) The committee
shall conduct a comprehensive review of the textbook funding,
adoption, and purchase process.
(b) A review under this section must include a thorough
study of:
(1) each element of the textbook funding, adoption,
and purchase process prescribed by this chapter;
(2) the extent to which relevant materials are aligned
with curriculum requirements adopted by the State Board of
Education;
(3) the methods available for providing instructional
materials and content in traditional print format and digital
format; and
(4) the methods available to improve funding,
including alternative methods for funding technology for the
delivery of instructional content.
(c) The committee shall conduct public hearings throughout
the state and solicit testimony about the textbook funding,
adoption, and purchase process from parents of public school
students and other interested persons. At least one public hearing
must be held at a public school during a time that public school
students are able to attend the hearing.
(d) The commissioner shall ensure that the committee has
access to any documentation and agency personnel the committee
requests.
(e) The Legislative Budget Board, comptroller, state
auditor, and any other state agency, official, or personnel shall
cooperate with the committee in carrying out its duties under this
subchapter.
(f) The committee may coordinate the review under this
subchapter with any other legislative review or study, as
appropriate.
Sec. 31.306. REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1, 2010,
the committee shall provide a report that:
(1) states the findings of the review conducted under
this subchapter; and
(2) includes any recommendations for statutory
changes.
(b) The report must be approved by a majority of the
committee members. A member who disagrees with any part of the
report may attach a dissenting statement to the report.
SECTION 3. (a) Officers required to make appointments to
the Select Committee on Textbook Funding, Adoption, and Purchase,
as established under Subchapter G, Chapter 31, Education Code, as
added by this Act, shall make appointments to that committee as soon
as possible after the effective date of this Act.
(b) The Select Committee on Textbook Funding, Adoption, and
Purchase shall hold an organizational meeting not later than
October 1, 2009.
SECTION 4. 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, 2009.