BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 1773 By: Bhojani Public Education Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee of a growing desire by public school students to have a more direct role in the policies and decisions that directly affect their education experience. The bill author has also informed the committee that, while school boards are responsible for making crucial decisions regarding the operation and policies of school districts, students have limited avenues to actively participate in these decisions. H.B. 1773 seeks to address this issue and foster a more inclusive and collaborative educational environment by providing for the appointment of student trustees in a nonvoting position for certain public school districts' board of trustees. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS H.B. 1773 amends the Education Code to authorize the board of trustees of a public school district, other than a district in which a school is operating under a campus turnaround plan, to appoint a student trustee in the manner and for a term prescribed by the board. The bill establishes that a student trustee is not a member of the district's board of trustees for which the student is appointed, though the student has the same powers and duties as a member, including the right to attend and participate in open meetings of the board. The bill excepts from those powers the authority to vote on any matter before the board or make or second any motion before the board. The bill establishes that the student is not counted in determining whether a quorum exists for a meeting of the board or in determining the outcome of any vote of the board. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 1773
By: Bhojani
Public Education
Committee Report (Unamended)
H.B. 1773
By: Bhojani
Public Education
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The bill author has informed the committee of a growing desire by public school students to have a more direct role in the policies and decisions that directly affect their education experience. The bill author has also informed the committee that, while school boards are responsible for making crucial decisions regarding the operation and policies of school districts, students have limited avenues to actively participate in these decisions. H.B. 1773 seeks to address this issue and foster a more inclusive and collaborative educational environment by providing for the appointment of student trustees in a nonvoting position for certain public school districts' board of trustees.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS H.B. 1773 amends the Education Code to authorize the board of trustees of a public school district, other than a district in which a school is operating under a campus turnaround plan, to appoint a student trustee in the manner and for a term prescribed by the board. The bill establishes that a student trustee is not a member of the district's board of trustees for which the student is appointed, though the student has the same powers and duties as a member, including the right to attend and participate in open meetings of the board. The bill excepts from those powers the authority to vote on any matter before the board or make or second any motion before the board. The bill establishes that the student is not counted in determining whether a quorum exists for a meeting of the board or in determining the outcome of any vote of the board.
EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2025.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The bill author has informed the committee of a growing desire by public school students to have a more direct role in the policies and decisions that directly affect their education experience. The bill author has also informed the committee that, while school boards are responsible for making crucial decisions regarding the operation and policies of school districts, students have limited avenues to actively participate in these decisions. H.B. 1773 seeks to address this issue and foster a more inclusive and collaborative educational environment by providing for the appointment of student trustees in a nonvoting position for certain public school districts' board of trustees.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 1773 amends the Education Code to authorize the board of trustees of a public school district, other than a district in which a school is operating under a campus turnaround plan, to appoint a student trustee in the manner and for a term prescribed by the board. The bill establishes that a student trustee is not a member of the district's board of trustees for which the student is appointed, though the student has the same powers and duties as a member, including the right to attend and participate in open meetings of the board. The bill excepts from those powers the authority to vote on any matter before the board or make or second any motion before the board. The bill establishes that the student is not counted in determining whether a quorum exists for a meeting of the board or in determining the outcome of any vote of the board.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2025.