Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB702 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	S.B. No. 702
	1	+	By: Paxton, et al. S.B. No. 702
	2	+	(Paddie)
2	3
3	4
	5	+	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
4	6		AN ACT
5	7		relating to the continuation and functions of the Prepaid Higher
6	8		Education Tuition Board.
7	9		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
8	10		SECTION 1. Section 54.603, Education Code, is amended to
9	11		read as follows:
10	12		Sec. 54.603. SUNSET PROVISION. The Prepaid Higher
11	13		Education Tuition Board is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code
12	14		(Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by
13	15		that chapter, the board is abolished [and the programs established
14	16		under this subchapter and under Subchapters G and H terminate]
15	17		September 1, 2033 [2021].
16	18		SECTION 2. Section 54.610, Education Code, is amended by
17	19		amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
18	20		follows:
19	21		(b) The [A] training program must [established under this
20	22		section shall] provide the person with information [to the member]
21	23		regarding:
22	24		(1) the law governing [enabling legislation that
23	25		created the] board operations;
24	26		(2) the programs, functions, rules, and budget of
25	27		[operated by] the board;
26	28		(3) the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking
27	29		authority [role and functions] of the board;
28	30		(4) [the rules of the board, with an emphasis on the
29	31		rules that relate to disciplinary and investigatory authority;
30	32		[(5) the current budget for the board;
31	33		[(6)] the results of the most recent formal audit of
32	34		the board;
33	35		(5) [(7)] the requirements of [the]:
34	36		(A) laws relating to open meetings, public
35	37		information, [law, Chapter 551, Government Code;
36	38		[(B) open records law, Chapter 552, Government
37	39		Code; and
38	40		[(C)] administrative procedure, and disclosing
39	41		conflicts [law, Chapter 2001, Government Code;
40	42		[(8) the requirements of the conflict] of interest;
41	43		[laws] and
42	44		(B) other laws applicable to members of a state
43	45		policy-making body in performing their duties [relating to public
44	46		officials]; and
45	47		(6) [(9)] any applicable ethics policies adopted by
46	48		the board or the Texas Ethics Commission.
47	49		(d) The executive director of the board shall create a
48	50		training manual that includes the information required by
49	51		Subsection (b). The executive director shall distribute a copy of
50	52		the training manual annually to each board member. Each board
51	53		member shall sign and submit to the executive director a statement
52	54		acknowledging that the member received and has reviewed the
53	55		training manual.
54	56		SECTION 3. Section 54.617(e), Education Code, is amended to
55	57		read as follows:
56	58		(e) The board shall periodically notify the complaint
57	59		parties of the status of the complaint until final disposition
58	60		unless the notice would jeopardize an investigation.
59	61		SECTION 4. Subchapter F, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
60	62		amended by adding Section 54.6181 to read as follows:
61	63		Sec. 54.6181. ADVISORY COMMITTEES. (a) The board by rule
62	64		may establish advisory committees to make recommendations to the
63	65		board on programs, rules, and policies administered by the board.
64	66		(b) In establishing an advisory committee under this
65	67		section, the board shall adopt rules, including rules regarding:
66	68		(1) the purpose, role, responsibility, goals, and
67	69		duration of the committee;
68	70		(2) the size of and quorum requirement for the
69	71		committee;
70	72		(3) qualifications for committee membership;
71	73		(4) appointment procedures for members;
72	74		(5) terms of service for members;
73	75		(6) training requirements for members;
74	76		(7) policies to avoid conflicts of interest by
75	77		members;
76	78		(8) a periodic review process to evaluate the
77	79		continuing need for the committee; and
78	80		(9) policies to ensure the committee does not violate
79	81		any provision of Chapter 551, Government Code, applicable to the
80	82		board or the committee.
81	83		(c) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to an
82	84		advisory committee created by the board.
83	85		SECTION 5. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
84	86		this section, Section 54.610, Education Code, as amended by this
85	87		Act, applies to a member of the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition
86	88		Board appointed before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
87	89		(b) A member of the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board
88	90		who, before the effective date of this Act, completed the training
89	91		program required by Section 54.610, Education Code, as that law
90	92		existed before the effective date of this Act, is only required to
91	93		complete additional training on the subjects added by this Act to
92	94		the training program required by Section 54.610, Education Code. A
93	95		board member described by this subsection may not vote, deliberate,
94	96		or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the board
95	97		held on or after December 1, 2021, until the member completes the
96	98		additional training.
97	99		SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
98		-	______________________________ ______________________________
99		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
100		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 702 passed the Senate on
101		-	April 6, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
102		-	______________________________
103		-	Secretary of the Senate
104		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 702 passed the House on
105		-	May 19, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 133, Nays 13, one
106		-	present not voting.
107		-	______________________________
108		-	Chief Clerk of the House
109		-	Approved:
110		-	______________________________
111		-	Date
112		-	______________________________
113		-	Governor