HBA-JRA H.B. 144 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 144
By: Thompson
Public Education
3/12/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

According to a national survey by the American Federation of Teachers, the
average salary of a teacher in the United States was $38,436 for the
1996-97 school year and $37,594 for the 1995-96 school year.  In Texas, the
average salary of a teacher was $32,426 for the 1996-97 school year and
$31,400 for the 1995-96 school year.  Texas ranks 38th in the country for
teachers' pay.  Increasing teachers' and librarians' salaries may make
these positions more attractive and thereby improve the state's ability to
attract and retain good teachers.  H.B. 144 increases teachers' and
librarians' salaries by $6,000 per year. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 21.402, Education Code, by amending Subsection
(a) and adding Subsection (g), as follows: 

(a)  Makes conforming changes.

(g)  Provides that, beginning with the 1999-2000 school year, a school
district must pay each classroom teacher or full-time librarian a minimum
annual salary of at least $6,000 more than the minimum annual salary a
person with a comparable level of experience received during the 1998-1999
school year.  Provides that, in subsequent years, a school district must
pay at least the amount required by this subsection unless the computation
required in Subsection (a) results in a greater amount, in which case the
district must pay at least the greater amount. 

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.