HBA-JRA H.B. 850 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 850
By: Dutton
Public Education
3/12/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In December, 1996, the Comptroller of Public Accounts noted in a
performance review that teachers' salaries in Texas are 20 percent lower
than those of comparable jobs.  A recent study conducted by the National
Education Association ranked Texas 36th nationally for average public
school teacher salary in 1995-1996, which may be a factor in high turnover
among Texas teachers.  H.B. 850 increases the minimum salary for classroom
teachers and full-time librarians to at least $50,000. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority previously delegated to the commissioner of education is modified
in SECTION 4 (by repealing Section 21.403, Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 21.401, Education Code, to provide that an
educator employed under a 10-month contract must provide a minimum of 187
days of service, rather than a minimum number of 187 days as determined by
a specified formula.  Deletes expiration date (September 1, 1999) of
Subsection (a).  Deletes existing text of Subsection (c).  Redesignates
existing Subsection (d) to Subsection (c). 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 21.402, Education Code, as follows:

Sec. 21.402.  New title:  MINIMUM SALARY FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS AND
FULL-TIME LIBRARIANS.  Provides that a school district must pay each
classroom teacher or full-time librarian at least $50,000 annually, rather
than a minimum monthly salary based on the employee's level of experience
determined by a specified formula.  Deletes existing Subsections (a)-(f).  

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 30.102(b), Education Code, to make conforming
changes. 

SECTION 4.  Repealer:  Section 21.403, Education Code (Placement on Minimum
Salary Schedule), concerning a minimum salary schedule for teachers and
requiring the commissioner of education to adopt rules for determining a
teacher's or librarian's experience for placement on the minimum salary
schedule. 

SECTION 5.  Makes application of this Act prospective to the 1999-2000
school year. 

SECTION 6.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.