Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HR2186 Latest Draft

Bill / Enrolled Version Filed 05/26/2019

                            H.R. No. 2186


 R E S O L U T I O N
 BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of
 Texas, 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, That House Rule 13,
 Section 9(a), be suspended in part as provided by House Rule 13,
 Section 9(f), to enable the conference committee appointed to
 resolve the differences on House Bill 3 (public school finance and
 public education; creating a criminal offense; authorizing the
 imposition of a fee) to consider and take action on the following
 matters:
 (1)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(1), is suspended to permit
 the committee to amend text not in disagreement in proposed SECTION
 1.004 of the bill, amending Section 25.084, Education Code, to read
 as follows:
 SECTION 1.004.  (a) Effective September 1, 2019, Section
 25.084(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:
 (b)  The operation of schools year-round by a district does
 not affect the amount of state funds to which the district is
 entitled under Chapter 48 [42].
 (b)  Effective September 1, 2020, Section 25.084, Education
 Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection
 (c) to read as follows:
 Explanation: The change is necessary to delay the
 implementation of certain provisions of Section 25.084, Education
 Code.
 (2)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not in disagreement in
 proposed SECTION 1.009 of the bill, in added Section 45.0032(e),
 Education Code, to read as follows:
 (e)  For the 2019 tax year, Section 48.202(f) applies to a
 district's maintenance and operations tax rate after adjusting the
 district's rate in accordance with this section.  This subsection
 expires September 1, 2020.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to determine the
 application of Section 48.202(f), Education Code, to a school
 district's maintenance and operations tax rate for the 2019 tax
 year.
 (3)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(1), is suspended to permit
 the committee to amend text not in disagreement in proposed SECTION
 1.014 of the bill, adding Section 48.0051, Education Code, to read
 as follows:
 SECTION 1.014.  Effective September 1, 2020, Subchapter A,
 Chapter 48, Education Code, as added by this Act, is amended by
 adding Section 48.0051 to read as follows:
 Explanation: The change is necessary to delay the
 implementation of Section 48.0051, Education Code.
 (4)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not in disagreement in SECTION
 1.014 of the bill, in added Section 48.0051, Education Code, to read
 as follows:
 (f)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
 use funding attributable to the incentive provided under this
 section to pay costs associated with providing academic instruction
 in a voluntary summer program for students enrolled in the district
 or school.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to allow school
 districts and open-enrollment charter schools to use certain
 funding to pay costs associated with certain summer programs.
 (5)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(1), is suspended to permit
 the committee to amend text not in disagreement in proposed SECTION
 1.015 of the bill, in transferred, redesignated, and amended
 Sections 48.006(a) and (c), Education Code, to read as follows:
 (a)  The [From funds specifically appropriated for the
 purpose or other funds available to the commissioner for that
 purpose, the] commissioner may [shall] adjust the average daily
 attendance of a school district all or part of which is located in
 an area declared a disaster area by the governor under Chapter 418,
 Government Code, if the district experiences a decline in average
 daily attendance that is reasonably attributable to the impact of
 the disaster.
 (c)  The commissioner may [shall] make the adjustment under
 [required by] this section for the two-year period following the
 date of the governor's initial proclamation or executive order
 declaring the state of disaster.
 Explanation: The changes are necessary to give the
 commissioner discretion in adjusting the average daily attendance
 of a school district located wholly or partly  in a disaster area.
 (6)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not in disagreement in
 proposed SECTION 1.019 of the bill, in added Sections 48.011(a-1),
 (b), and (d), Education Code, to read as follows:
 (a-1)  The commissioner may modify dates relating to the
 adoption of a school district's maintenance and operations tax rate
 and, if applicable, an election required for the district to adopt
 that rate as necessary to implement the changes made by H.B. 3, 86th
 Legislature, Regular Session, 2019.
 (b)  Before making an adjustment under Subsection (a) or
 (a-1), the commissioner shall notify and must receive approval from
 the Legislative Budget Board and the office of the governor.
 (d)  Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, the
 commissioner may not make an adjustment under Subsection (a) or
 (a-1).
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to permit the
 commissioner to modify dates relating to a school district's
 maintenance and operations tax rate after receiving approval from
 the Legislative Budget Board and the office of the governor until
 the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.
 (7)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not in disagreement in
 proposed SECTION 1.021 of the bill, in transferred, redesignated,
 and amended Section 48.051, Education Code, to read as follows:
 (d)  In this section, "compensation" includes benefits such
 as insurance premiums.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to include benefits in
 the definition of "compensation."
 (8)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not in disagreement in
 proposed SECTION 1.024 of the bill, in added Section 48.101,
 Education Code, to read as follows:
 (d)  Instead of the allotment under Subsection (b) or (c)(1),
 a school district that has fewer than 300 students in average daily
 attendance and is the only school district located in and operating
 in a county is entitled to an annual allotment for each student in
 average daily attendance based on the following formula:
 AA = ((1,600 - ADA) X .00047) X BA
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to provide an
 allotment for school districts with fewer than 300 students in
 average daily attendance that are the only district located in and
 operating in a county.
 (9)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(1), is suspended to permit
 the committee to amend text not in disagreement in proposed SECTION
 1.025 of the bill, in transferred, redesignated, and amended
 Section 48.102(h), Education Code, to read as follows:
 (h)  At least 55 percent of the funds [Funds] allocated under
 this section[, other than an indirect cost allotment established
 under State Board of Education rule,] must be used in the special
 education program under Subchapter A, Chapter 29.
 Explanation: The change is necessary to require a certain
 percentage of funding provided by the special education allotment
 to be used for a special education program under Subchapter A,
 Chapter 29, Education Code.
 (10)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(4), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not included in either the
 house or senate version of the bill by adding the following new
 language to proposed SECTION 1.031 of the bill:
 Sec. 48.1101.  STUDY ON ALTERNATIVE CAREER READINESS
 MEASURES FOR SMALL AND RURAL DISTRICTS.  (a)  The agency shall
 conduct a study on alternative career readiness measures for small
 and rural school districts to determine if annual graduates
 demonstrate career readiness under Section 48.110(f)(2)(B).
 (b)  Not later than January 1, 2021, the agency shall submit
 to the legislature a report on the results of the study and any
 recommendations for legislative or other action.
 (c)  This section expires September 1, 2021.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to require a study on
 alternative career readiness measures for small and rural school
 districts to determine if annual graduates demonstrate career
 readiness.
 (11)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not in disagreement in
 proposed SECTION 1.031 of the bill, in added Section 48.112(g),
 Education Code, to read as follows:
 (g)  A district is entitled to receive an increased allotment
 under this section in the amount necessary for reimbursement for
 any fees paid under Section 21.3521.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to permit a school
 district to receive an allotment in an amount necessary for
 reimbursement for fees paid under Section 21.3521, Education Code.
 (12)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not in disagreement in
 proposed SECTION 1.038 of the bill, in transferred, redesignated,
 and amended Section 48.202, Education Code, to read as follows:
 (f-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (f), for the 2019-2020
 school year, the reduction of a school district's tax rate required
 under Subsection (f) applies to the district's total enrichment tax
 rate under Section 45.0032(b) minus eight cents. This subsection
 expires September 1, 2020.
 Explanation:  The addition is necessary to determine the
 portion of a school district's enrichment tax rate to which the
 reduction required under Section 48.202(f-1), Education Code,
 applies for the 2019-2020 school year.
 (13) House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not in disagreement in
 proposed SECTION 1.040 of the bill, in transferred, redesignated
 and amended Section 48.256, Education Code, to read as follows:
 (d)  This subsection applies to a school district in which
 the board of trustees entered into a written agreement with a
 property owner under Section 313.027, Tax Code, for the
 implementation of a limitation on appraised value under Subchapter
 B or C, Chapter 313, Tax Code. For purposes of determining "DPV"
 under Subsection (a) for a school district to which this subsection
 applies, the commissioner shall exclude a portion of the market
 value of property not otherwise fully taxable by the district under
 Subchapter B or C, Chapter 313, Tax Code, before the expiration of
 the subchapter. The comptroller shall provide information to the
 agency necessary for this subsection. A revenue protection payment
 required as part of an agreement for a limitation on appraised value
 shall be based on the district's taxable value of property for the
 preceding tax year.
 (e)  Subsection (d) does not apply to property that was the
 subject of an application under Subchapter B or C, Chapter 313, Tax
 Code, made after May 1, 2009, that the comptroller recommended
 should be disapproved. [A school district must raise its total
 local share of the Foundation School Program to be eligible to
 receive foundation school fund payments.]
 Explanation:  The addition is necessary to determine "DPV"
 for a school district that has entered into an agreement for the
 implementation of a limitation on appraised value under Subchapter
 B or C, Chapter 313, Tax Code.
 (14) House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(1), is suspended to permit
 the committee to amend text not in disagreement in proposed SECTION
 1.041 of the bill, in added Sections 48.257(a) and (b), Education
 Code, to read as follows:
 (a)  Subject to Subsection (b), if a school district's tier
 one local share under Section 48.256 exceeds the district's
 entitlement under Section 48.266(a)(1) less the district's
 distribution from the state available school fund, the district
 must reduce the district's tier one revenue level in accordance
 with Chapter 49 to a level not to exceed the district's entitlement
 under Section 48.266(a)(1) less the district's distribution from
 the state available school fund.
 (b)  This subsection applies only to a school district to
 which Subsection (a) applies. If a district's maintenance and
 operations tax collections from the tax rate described by Section
 45.0032(a) for the current tax year minus the required reduction in
 a district's tier one revenue level under Subsection (a) results in
 an amount that is less than the amount of the district's entitlement
 under Section 48.266(a)(1) less the district's distribution from
 the state available school fund, the agency shall adjust the amount
 of the reduction required in the district's tier one revenue level
 under Subsection (a) up to the amount of local funds necessary for
 the district's entitlement under Section 48.266(a)(1) less the
 district's distribution from the state available school fund.
 Explanation:  The change is necessary to determine the amount
 by which a school district is required to reduce the district's
 local revenue level under Section 48.257(a), Education Code, to a
 level not to exceed the district's entitlement less the district's
 distribution from the state available school fund.
 (15)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(4), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not included in either the
 house or senate version of the bill by adding the following new
 SECTION to proposed ARTICLE 1 of the bill:
 SECTION 1.046.  Subchapter G, Chapter 48, Education Code, as
 added by this Act, is amended by adding Section 48.302 to read as
 follows:
 Sec. 48.302.  SUBSIDY FOR HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY
 EXAMINATION FOR CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS. (a) In this section,
 "commission" means the Texas Workforce Commission.
 (b)  The agency shall enter into a memorandum of
 understanding with the commission for the agency to transfer to the
 commission funds specifically appropriated to the agency for the
 commission to provide to an individual who is 21 years of age or
 older a subsidy in an amount equal to the cost of taking one high
 school equivalency examination administered under Section 7.111.
 (c)  The commission shall adopt rules to implement the
 subsidy program described by Subsection (b), including rules
 regarding eligibility requirements.
 Explanation:  The addition is necessary to provide for a
 subsidy for certain individuals to take a high school equivalency
 examination.
 (16)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(4), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not included in either the
 house or senate version of the bill by adding proposed SECTION 1.061
 to the bill, amending Section 403.302(d), Government Code, to read
 as follows:
 SECTION 1.061.  Section 403.302(d), Government Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (d)  For the purposes of this section, "taxable value" means
 the market value of all taxable property less:
 (1)  the total dollar amount of any residence homestead
 exemptions lawfully granted under Section 11.13(b) or (c), Tax
 Code, in the year that is the subject of the study for each school
 district;
 (2)  one-half of the total dollar amount of any
 residence homestead exemptions granted under Section 11.13(n), Tax
 Code, in the year that is the subject of the study for each school
 district;
 (3)  the total dollar amount of any exemptions granted
 before May 31, 1993, within a reinvestment zone under agreements
 authorized by Chapter 312, Tax Code;
 (4)  subject to Subsection (e), the total dollar amount
 of any captured appraised value of property that:
 (A)  is within a reinvestment zone created on or
 before May 31, 1999, or is proposed to be included within the
 boundaries of a reinvestment zone as the boundaries of the zone and
 the proposed portion of tax increment paid into the tax increment
 fund by a school district are described in a written notification
 provided by the municipality or the board of directors of the zone
 to the governing bodies of the other taxing units in the manner
 provided by former Section 311.003(e), Tax Code, before May 31,
 1999, and within the boundaries of the zone as those boundaries
 existed on September 1, 1999, including subsequent improvements to
 the property regardless of when made;
 (B)  generates taxes paid into a tax increment
 fund created under Chapter 311, Tax Code, under a reinvestment zone
 financing plan approved under Section 311.011(d), Tax Code, on or
 before September 1, 1999; and
 (C)  is eligible for tax increment financing under
 Chapter 311, Tax Code;
 (5)  the total dollar amount of any captured appraised
 value of property that:
 (A)  is within a reinvestment zone:
 (i)  created on or before December 31, 2008,
 by a municipality with a population of less than 18,000; and
 (ii)  the project plan for which includes
 the alteration, remodeling, repair, or reconstruction of a
 structure that is included on the National Register of Historic
 Places and requires that a portion of the tax increment of the zone
 be used for the improvement or construction of related facilities
 or for affordable housing;
 (B)  generates school district taxes that are paid
 into a tax increment fund created under Chapter 311, Tax Code; and
 (C)  is eligible for tax increment financing under
 Chapter 311, Tax Code;
 (6)  the total dollar amount of any exemptions granted
 under Section 11.251 or 11.253, Tax Code;
 (7)  the difference between the comptroller's estimate
 of the market value and the productivity value of land that
 qualifies for appraisal on the basis of its productive capacity,
 except that the productivity value estimated by the comptroller may
 not exceed the fair market value of the land;
 (8)  the portion of the appraised value of residence
 homesteads of individuals who receive a tax limitation under
 Section 11.26, Tax Code, on which school district taxes are not
 imposed in the year that is the subject of the study, calculated as
 if the residence homesteads were appraised at the full value
 required by law;
 (9)  a portion of the market value of property not
 otherwise fully taxable by the district at market value because
 of[:
 [(A)]  action required by statute or the
 constitution of this state, other than Section 11.311, Tax Code,
 that, if the tax rate adopted by the district is applied to it,
 produces an amount equal to the difference between the tax that the
 district would have imposed on the property if the property were
 fully taxable at market value and the tax that the district is
 actually authorized to impose on the property, if this subsection
 does not otherwise require that portion to be deducted; [or
 [(B)     action taken by the district under
 Subchapter B or C, Chapter 313, Tax Code, before the expiration of
 the subchapter;]
 (10)  the market value of all tangible personal
 property, other than manufactured homes, owned by a family or
 individual and not held or used for the production of income;
 (11)  the appraised value of property the collection of
 delinquent taxes on which is deferred under Section 33.06, Tax
 Code;
 (12)  the portion of the appraised value of property
 the collection of delinquent taxes on which is deferred under
 Section 33.065, Tax Code; and
 (13)  the amount by which the market value of a
 residence homestead to which Section 23.23, Tax Code, applies
 exceeds the appraised value of that property as calculated under
 that section.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to remove from the
 definition of "taxable value" a portion of the market value of
 certain property.
 (17)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(4), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not included in either the
 house or senate version of the bill by adding proposed SECTION
 1A.001 to the bill, amending Section 13.054, Education Code, to
 read as follows:
 SECTION 1A.001.  Effective September 1, 2020, Section
 13.054, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (f) and
 adding Subsection (f-1) to read as follows:
 (f)  For five years beginning with the school year in which
 the annexation occurs, a school district shall receive additional
 funding under this subsection or Subsection (h). The amount of
 funding shall be determined by multiplying the lesser of the
 enlarged district's local fund assignment computed under Section
 48.256 [42.252] or the enlarged district's total cost of tier one by
 a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of students
 residing in the territory annexed to the receiving district
 preceding the date of the annexation and the denominator of which is
 the number of students residing in the district as enlarged on the
 date of the annexation, and multiplying the resulting product by
 the quotient of the enlarged district's maximum compressed tax
 rate, as determined under Section 48.2551, for the current school
 year divided by the receiving district's maximum compressed tax
 rate, as determined under Section 48.2551, for the year in which the
 annexation occurred.
 (f-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (f), for an annexation
 that occurred before September 1, 2019, for five years beginning
 with the school year in which the annexation occurs, a school
 district shall receive additional funding under this subsection or
 Subsection (h). The amount of funding shall be determined by
 multiplying the lesser of the enlarged district's local fund
 assignment computed under Section 48.256 or the enlarged district's
 total cost of tier one by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
 number of students residing in the territory annexed to the
 receiving district preceding the date of the annexation and the
 denominator of which is the number of students residing in the
 district as enlarged on the date of the annexation, and dividing the
 receiving district's maximum compressed tax rate, as determined
 under Section 48.2551. This subsection expires September 1, 2021.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to determine an
 additional amount of funding to which a district to which territory
 is annexed under Section 13.054, Education Code, is entitled
 beginning September 1, 2020.
 (18)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(4), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not included in either the
 house or senate version of the bill by adding the following new
 language to SECTION 1A.007 of the bill:
 Sec. 48.2554.  STUDY ON DISTRICT PROPERTY TAX COMPRESSION.
 (a)  The Legislative Budget Board, in conjunction with other
 appropriate state agencies, shall study possible methods of
 providing property tax relief through the reduction of school
 district maintenance and operations taxes.  The study must
 evaluate:
 (1)  potential sources of revenue that may be used to
 reduce school district maintenance and operations taxes;
 (2)  methods of limiting increases in maintenance and
 operations tax revenue that adjust for enrollment growth,
 inflation, and other relevant factors; and
 (3)  for each method of providing property tax relief
 considered:
 (A)  any difference in anticipated benefits to
 property taxpayers based on the school district in which the
 taxpayer resides;
 (B)  the cost to the state; and
 (C)  the anticipated impact on equity in the
 public school finance system.
 (b)  Not later than September 1, 2020, the Legislative Budget
 Board shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and
 the speaker of the house of representatives a report on the results
 of the study and any recommendations for legislative or other
 action.
 (c)  This section expires September 1, 2021.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to require a study on
 methods of providing property tax relief through the reduction of
 school district maintenance and operations taxes.
 (19)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(4), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not included in either the
 house or senate version of the bill by adding proposed SECTION 2.005
 to the bill, adding Section 21.048(a-2), Education Code, to read as
 follows:
 SECTION 2.005.  Section 21.048, Education Code, is amended
 by adding Subsection (a-2) to read as follows:
 (a-2)  The board shall adopt rules that provide that in order
 to teach any grade level from prekindergarten through grade six a
 person must demonstrate proficiency in the science of teaching
 reading on a certification examination for each class of
 certificate issued by the board after January 1, 2021.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to require the State
 Board for Educator Certification to adopt rules requiring certain
 teachers to demonstrate proficiency in the science of teaching
 reading on a certification examination.
 (20)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(4), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not included in either the
 house or senate version of the bill by adding proposed SECTION 2.008
 to the bill, adding Section 21.3521, Education Code, to read as
 follows:
 SECTION 2.008.  Subchapter H, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
 amended by adding Section 21.3521 to read as follows:
 Sec. 21.3521.  LOCAL OPTIONAL TEACHER DESIGNATION SYSTEM.
 (a) Subject to Subsection (b), a school district or open-enrollment
 charter school may designate a certified classroom teacher as a
 master, exemplary, or recognized teacher for a five-year period
 based on the results from single year or multiyear appraisals that
 comply with Section 21.351 or 21.352.
 (b)  The commissioner shall establish performance and
 validity standards for each local optional teacher designation
 system. The performance standards:
 (1)  must provide a mathematical possibility that all
 teachers eligible for a designation may earn the designation; and
 (2)  may not require a district to use an assessment
 instrument adopted under Section 39.023 to evaluate teacher
 performance.
 (c)  Notwithstanding performance standards established
 under Subsection (b), a classroom teacher that holds a National
 Board Certification issued by the National Board for Professional
 Teaching Standards may be designated as recognized.
 (d)  The commissioner shall:
 (1)  ensure that local optional teacher designation
 systems:
 (A)  meet the requirements of this section; and
 (B)  prioritize high needs campuses; and
 (2)  enter into a memorandum of understanding with
 Texas Tech University to monitor the quality and fairness of local
 optional teacher designation systems.
 (e)  The agency shall develop and provide technical
 assistance for school districts and open-enrollment charter
 schools that request assistance in implementing a local optional
 teacher designation system, including assistance in prioritizing
 high needs campuses.
 (f)  A teacher has no vested property right in a teacher
 designation assigned to the teacher under this section. A teacher
 designation issued under this section is void in the determination
 that the designation was issued improperly. Subchapters C through
 H, Chapter 2001, Government Code, do not apply to the voiding of a
 teacher designation under this subsection.
 (g)  The agency shall periodically conduct evaluations of
 the effectiveness of the local optional teacher designation systems
 under this section and the teacher incentive allotment under
 Section 48.112 and report the results of the evaluations to the
 legislature. A school district or open-enrollment charter school
 that has implemented a local optional teacher designation system or
 received funds under the teacher incentive allotment shall
 participate in the evaluations.
 (h)  The agency shall collect information necessary to
 implement this section. Information otherwise confidential remains
 confidential and is not subject to Chapter 552, Government Code.
 (i)  The commissioner may adopt fees to implement this
 section. A fee adopted by the agency under this section is not
 subject to Sections 2001.0045 and 2001.0221, Government Code.
 (j)  The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this
 section. A decision made by the commissioner under this section is
 final and may not be appealed.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to permit school
 districts and open-enrollment charter schools to develop local
 optional teacher designation systems.
 (21)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(1), is suspended to permit
 the committee to amend text not in disagreement in proposed SECTION
 2.011 of the bill, adding Section 25.085(i), Education Code, to
 read as follows:
 SECTION 2.011.  Effective September 1, 2020, Section 25.085,
 Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as
 follows:
 Explanation: The change is necessary to delay the
 implementation of Section 25.085(i), Education Code.
 (22)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(4), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not included in either the
 house or senate version of the bill by adding the following new
 SECTION to proposed ARTICLE 2 of the bill:
 SECTION 2.013.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
 amended by adding Section 28.0062 to read as follows:
 Sec. 28.0062.  READING STANDARDS FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH
 THIRD GRADE. (a) Each school district and open-enrollment charter
 school shall:
 (1)  provide for the use of a phonics curriculum that
 uses systematic direct instruction in kindergarten through third
 grade to ensure all students obtain necessary early literacy
 skills;
 (2)  ensure that:
 (A)  not later than the 2021-2022 school year,
 each classroom teacher in kindergarten or first, second, or third
 grade and each principal at a campus with kindergarten or first,
 second, or third grade has attended a teacher literacy achievement
 academy developed under Section 21.4552; and
 (B)  each classroom teacher and each principal
 initially employed in a grade level or at a campus described by
 Paragraph (A) for the 2021-2022 school year or a subsequent school
 year has attended a teacher literacy achievement academy developed
 under Section 21.4552 before the teacher's or principal's first
 year of placement in that grade level or campus; and
 (3)  certify to the agency that the district or school:
 (A)  prioritizes placement of highly effective
 teachers in kindergarten through second grade; and
 (B)  has integrated reading instruments used to
 diagnose reading development and comprehension to support each
 student in prekindergarten through third grade.
 (b)  The agency shall provide assistance to school districts
 and open-enrollment charter schools in complying with the
 requirements under this section.
 (c)  The agency shall:
 (1)  monitor the implementation of this section; and
 (2)  periodically report to the legislature on the
 implementation of this section and the effectiveness of this
 section in improving educational outcomes.
 (d)  The commissioner shall establish an advisory board to
 assist the agency in fulfilling the agency's duties under this
 section. Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
 advisory board.
 (e)  The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this
 section.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to provide reading
 standards for kindergarten through third grade.
 (23)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(4), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not included in either the
 house or senate version of the bill in proposed SECTION 4.001 of the
 bill by repealing Section 403.302(m), Government Code.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to repeal Section
 403.302(m), Government Code, which is no longer necessary with the
 addition of Section 48.256(e), Education Code.
 (24)  House Rule 13, Section 9(a)(3), is suspended to permit
 the committee to add text on a matter not in disagreement in
 proposed SECTION 5.002 of the bill, in the transition language, to
 read as follows:
 SECTION 5.002.  Except as otherwise provided by this Act,
 Section 26.08, Tax Code, as amended by this Act, applies beginning
 with the 2019 tax year. A school district is required to calculate
 the district's rollback tax rate for the 2019 tax year in the manner
 provided by Section 26.08, Tax Code, as amended by this Act,
 regardless of whether the district has already calculated that rate
 or adopted a tax rate for the 2019 tax year before September 1,
 2019.
 Explanation: The addition is necessary to ensure a school
 district calculates the district's rollback tax rate for the 2019
 tax year in accordance with Section 26.08, Tax Code, as amended by
 this bill.
 Huberty
 ______________________________
 Speaker of the House
 I certify that H.R. No. 2186 was adopted by the House on May
 25, 2019, by the following vote:  Yeas 139, Nays 0, 1 present, not
 voting.
 ______________________________
 Chief Clerk of the House