SRC-JRN S.B. 1359 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1359 By: West Education 4-5-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the commissioner of education is required to appoint a hearing officer to determine timeliness in matters relating to teachers requesting a hearing regarding the teacher's proposed termination. Because there may be a lack of clarity in the law regarding the timeliness in which the commissioner may rule on a teacher's hearing, some local school districts may spend unnecessary fees in order for a teacher's case to receive a hearing. This bill requires the commissioner to exercise final jurisdiction involving disputes relating to timeliness of teacher appeals. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1359 requires the commissioner of education to exercise final jurisdiction involving disputes relating to timeliness of teacher appeals. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 21.253, Education Code, to require the commissioner of education to exercise final jurisdiction involving disputes relating to timeliness of teacher appeals. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1997-1998 school year. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.