JLM S.B. 1653 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


PUBLIC EDUCATION
S.B. 1653
By: Nelson (Culberson)
5-20-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, campus or campus program charters are agreements between a
local campus and the board of trustees of a school district or the
governing body of a home-rule school district in which the campus is
located.  Some state legislatures that have similar charter programs have 
provided certain powers and duties to the charter schools so that the
schools may achieve their educational mission.  S.B. 1653 allows a campus
or campus program charter to have certain powers and duties, and provides
an appeal process for campuses that are denied charters.         

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1653 allows a campus or campus program charter to have
certain powers and duties, and provides an appeal process for campuses
that are denied charters.  

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 12C, Education Code, by renumbering existing
Sections     12.058-12.064, making a conforming change in Section 12.061,
and adding   Section 12.058 as follows:               
                                                                           
  Sec. 12.058. CHARTER POLICY.  Requires each school district to adopt a
campus charter and campus program charter policy by January 1, 1998.  Sets
forth   provisions of the charter policy.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 12.054, Education Code, to make a conforming
change.      
 
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.
                                                                           
SECTION 4. Emergency clause.