By: Menéndez S.B. No. 1309 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to eligibility requirements for issuance of a teaching certificate to an applicant who holds a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor teaching certification. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 21.052, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 21.052. CERTIFICATION OF EDUCATORS FROM OUTSIDE JURISDICTION [THE STATE]. SECTION 2. Section 21.052, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: (a) The board may issue a certificate to an educator who applies for a certificate and: (1) holds[: [(A)] a degree issued by: (A) an institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency or group that is recognized by a nationally recognized accreditation board; or (B) [a degree issued by] an institution located in a foreign country, if the degree is equivalent to a degree described by Paragraph (A); (2) holds: (A) an appropriate certificate or other credential issued by another state or country; or (B) a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps instructor teaching certification issued by the United States Department of Defense, United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, or United States Marine Corps; and (3) performs satisfactorily on: (A) the examination prescribed under Section 21.048; or (B) if the educator holds a certificate or other credential issued by another state or country, an examination similar to and at least as rigorous as that described by Paragraph (A) administered to the educator under the authority of that state. (a-1) For purposes of Subsection (a)(1), the board may not impose on an applicant who holds a teaching certification described by Subsection (a)(2)(B) requirements described by Section 21.050 in connection with the degree requirement. SECTION 3. 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, 2015.