SRC-JRN S.B. 1653 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1653
By: Nelson
Education
4-11-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

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

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 12.054, Education Code, as follows:

Sec. 12.054. AUTHORITY UNDER CHARTER.  Provides that a campus or program
for which a charter is granted under this subchapter is delegated certain
powers and duties. Provides that a campus or program retains certain
authority to operate in accordance with Section 12.059, rather than
Section 12.058.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 12C, Education Code, by adding Section 12.058,
as follows: 

Sec. 12.058. APPLICATION.  Requires the local school board (board) to
approve or deny an application to establish a charter campus or program on
campus by the 60th day after the date of the filing of the application.
Authorizes the applicant to either amend the proposal to address the
board's objections and resubmit the proposal to the board or to appeal the
decision of the board to the commissioner of education (commissioner), if
the charter is not approved.  Sets forth the actions the board may take
regarding the amended proposal. Requires the commissioner to approve or
deny the charter application by the 45th day after the date of the receipt
of the charter application, if an application is submitted to the
commissioner in accordance with this subchapter.  Sets forth provisions
regarding the approval of the charter application.  Requires the board of
trustees of a charter campus or program on campus, on receiving a charter
from a board or the commissioner, to be deemed to be public agents
authorized by the State of Texas to supervise and control the charter
campus or program on campus, subject to terms of the charter. 

Sec. 12.059. CONTENT.  Redesignated from Section 12.058.

Sec. 12.060. FORM.  Redesignated  from Section 12.059.

Sec. 12.061. CHARTER GRANTED.  Redesignated from Section 12.060.

 Sec. 12.062. REVISION.  Redesignated from Section 12.061.


Sec. 12.063. BASIS FOR PLACEMENT ON PROBATION OR REVOCATION. Redesignated
from Section 12.062. 

Sec. 12.064. PROCEDURE FOR PLACEMENT ON PROBATION OR REVOCATION.
Redesignated from Section 12.063. 

Sec. 12.065. ADMISSION.  Redesignated from Section 12.064.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.