BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1972 89R5103 AND-F By: Middleton Education K-16 4/14/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT School district boards of trustees have broad authority to adopt rules and policies governing district operations. However, concerns have arisen that some school boards may impose restrictions that limit the ability of individual trustees to express their views on district matters, potentially undermining transparency and accountability. Trustees are elected officials who serve as representatives of their communities and have a duty to communicate openly with constituents about their views and decisions on school district issues. Restricting this communication can hinder public trust and reduce the effectiveness of local governance. S.B. 1972 prohibits school district boards of trustees from adopting or enforcing any rule, bylaw, or policy that restricts a trustee's ability to share their opinion on board decisions or any other school district matter. This ensures that trustees can freely communicate their perspectives without facing institutional limitations. As proposed, S.B. 1972 amends current law relating to a limitation on rules, bylaws, and policies adopted by a school district's board of trustees. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 11.151(d), Education Code, to prohibit the trustees of an independent school district from adopting or enforcing a rule, bylaw, or any other policy that restricts a trustee's ability to share the trustee's opinion on a matter voted on by the board of trustees or any other school district matter. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1972
89R5103 AND-F By: Middleton
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1972
89R5103 AND-F
By: Middleton
Education K-16
4/14/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
School district boards of trustees have broad authority to adopt rules and policies governing district operations. However, concerns have arisen that some school boards may impose restrictions that limit the ability of individual trustees to express their views on district matters, potentially undermining transparency and accountability.
Trustees are elected officials who serve as representatives of their communities and have a duty to communicate openly with constituents about their views and decisions on school district issues. Restricting this communication can hinder public trust and reduce the effectiveness of local governance.
S.B. 1972 prohibits school district boards of trustees from adopting or enforcing any rule, bylaw, or policy that restricts a trustee's ability to share their opinion on board decisions or any other school district matter. This ensures that trustees can freely communicate their perspectives without facing institutional limitations.
As proposed, S.B. 1972 amends current law relating to a limitation on rules, bylaws, and policies adopted by a school district's board of trustees.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 11.151(d), Education Code, to prohibit the trustees of an independent school district from adopting or enforcing a rule, bylaw, or any other policy that restricts a trustee's ability to share the trustee's opinion on a matter voted on by the board of trustees or any other school district matter.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.