Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas House Bill HB154

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to authorization for a school district board of trustees to adopt or remove term limits.

Impact

If enacted, this bill could result in varying term limit policies across different school districts, leading to an inconsistency in how trustees are governed statewide. Some districts may opt to impose term limits, which could encourage fresh perspectives and prevent entrenchment, while others may choose to eliminate limits, allowing for experienced board members to remain in leadership roles for extended periods. This variability could have implications for educational policies and initiatives at the local level, depending on the stability and experience of the trustees in those districts.

Summary

House Bill 154 proposes an amendment to Section 11.0591 of the Education Code, allowing independent school district boards of trustees in Texas to establish or eliminate term limits for their members. Specifically, the bill empowers these boards to decide through a resolution whether to limit how many terms the trustees may serve or to remove any such limitations altogether. This alteration provides greater autonomy to school boards and can significantly influence the governance and continuity of leadership in school districts across the state.

Contention

The discussion surrounding HB 154 may involve differing views on governance and accountability within school districts. Proponents of term limits argue that they promote democratic principles and prevent the concentration of power, while opponents might contend that eliminating term limits could lead to improved oversight and continuity in policy implementation. The bill could spark debates on the best practices for educational governance and the proper balance between stability and change in leadership.

Companion Bills

TX HB930

Duplicate Relating to authorization for a school district board of trustees to adopt or remove term limits.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.