AN ACT

 1-1     relating to a study project involving the use of computer networks

 1-2     in public schools.

 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 32, Education Code, is

 1-5     amended by adding Section 32.037 to read as follows:

 1-6           Sec. 32.037.  COMPUTER NETWORK STUDY PROJECT.  (a)  The

 1-7     agency shall develop a study project to determine the costs and

 1-8     benefits of using computer networks, including the Internet, in

 1-9     public schools.  The commissioner shall determine the issues to be

1-10     studied in the project, but the issues must include the possibility

1-11     of delivering, through a computer network, updated supplements to

1-12     textbooks under Chapter 31.

1-13           (b)  An advisory committee shall be appointed to assist the

1-14     agency in the study project.  The commissioner shall appoint to the

1-15     advisory committee agency personnel, textbook publishers,

1-16     educators, students, and technology experts.  The presiding

1-17     officers of the senate and the house of representatives shall each

1-18     appoint two members of the legislature to serve on the advisory

1-19     committee.

1-20           (c)  The study must be:

1-21                 (1)  conducted using a group of school districts

1-22     selected by the agency to provide a geographically,

1-23     demographically, and economically balanced sample;

 2-1                 (2)  designed to yield results with statewide

 2-2     applications; and

 2-3                 (3)  coordinated with the State Board of Education's

 2-4     long-range technology plan adopted under Section 32.001, including

 2-5     standards for computer literacy adopted under Section 32.001(a)(3).

 2-6           (d)  The commissioner shall appoint a subcommittee to

 2-7     investigate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of developing

 2-8     electronic textbooks that may be used by students who are blind or

 2-9     have other disabilities.

2-10           (e)  The agency shall report the results of the study project

2-11     to the 76th Legislature not later than February 1, 1999.

2-12           (f)  This section expires September 1, 1999.

2-13           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the

2-14     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

2-15     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

2-16     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

2-17     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,

2-18     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its

2-19     passage, and it is so enacted.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 294 passed the Senate on

         March 13, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that

         the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 29, 1997, by the

         following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 294 passed the House, with

         amendment, on May 28, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 136,

         Nays 0, two present not voting.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

         Approved:

         _______________________________

                     Date

         _______________________________

                   Governor