Texas House Bill HB850

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to repeal on a periodic basis of the provisions of Titles 1 and 2 of the Education Code to provide for legislative review of the primary state statutes governing public education.

Impact

By implementing a periodic repeal of parts of the Education Code, HB850 seeks to ensure that the regulations governing public education remain relevant and effective in addressing current educational needs. The legislative review mandated by this bill would enable lawmakers to discern which provisions are worthwhile for retention, which require amendments to enhance effectiveness, and which can be entirely eliminated. This proactive approach aims to facilitate timely updates to educational statutes, thereby enhancing public education governance in Texas.

Summary

House Bill 850 proposes a systematic repeal of specific sections from Titles 1 and 2 of the Texas Education Code over a set schedule. This legislation calls for the phased repeal of numerous chapters within the Education Code, beginning with Chapters 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, and 30, and extending through to Chapter 39 by the year 2019. The core intention behind this bill is to prompt the legislature to thoroughly evaluate and potentially amend the existing laws governing public education in Texas.

Contention

While proponents of HB850 argue that repealing outdated or ineffective provisions can lead to improved education policies, some critics voice concerns regarding the potential disruption this may cause to existing educational frameworks. The fear is that sudden changes in legislation could lead to confusion among educators, students, and administrators as they adapt to evolving regulations. Additionally, critics might question the capacity of the Texas Education Agency and the Legislative Budget Board to perform such an extensive review effectively, raising concerns about the thoroughness and pace of the evaluation process.