SRC-PNG S.B. 1617 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1617
76R3964 JRD-DBy: Cain
Technology & Business Growth
5/5/1999
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas spent, over the 1998-99 biennium, approximately $600
million in state funds on educational technology and telecommunications
infrastructure building in addition to $50 million in federal funds.
Though Texas has made a substantial investment over the past decade in
educational technology, including a wide variety of projects, agencies, and
funding sources, the precise goal and expected result of this investment
remains unclear.  This bill would establish the Telecommunications and
Educational Technology Coordinating Council to coordinate the state's
promotion and use of educational technology. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1617 establishes the Telecommunications and Educational
Technology Coordinating Council to coordinate the state's promotion and use
of educational technology. 

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 Chapter 7A, Education Code, by adding Section 7.006, as
follows: 

Sec.  7.006.  TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY COORDINATING
COUNCIL.  Establishes the Telecommunications and Educational Technology
Coordinating Council (council) to coordinate the state's promotion and use
of educational technology.  Sets forth the agency representatives for the
council.  Requires the council to create a statewide master plan designed
to promote coordination of efforts and minimize duplication of efforts in
the state's deployment of educational technology and in educational
technology grants made to school districts and other entities.  Requires
the council to monitor the implementation of the plan and attempt to
coordinate state educational technology efforts so that funding and
services provided by the state are not duplicative and that unmet needs are
addressed.  Requires the council to promote discussions regarding issues
such as the long-term ramifications of proposed educational technology
initiatives and the best methods of meeting the educational needs of
students with educational technology. Requires the Director of Information
Resources representative to serve as presiding officer of the council.
Requires the council to meet at the call of the presiding officer or as
provided by procedural rules of the council.  Authorizes each agency
represented on the council to provide staff support to the council.
Requires the council to submit a report to the legislature on the
implementation of the statewide plan with recommendations on statutory or
other changes that require legislative action to improve the statewide plan
by a certain date. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 61C, Education Code, by adding Section 61.0761,
as follows: 

Sec.  61.0761.  TRAINING FOR USE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES.  Requires the
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (board), the Texas Education
Agency, the State Board for Educator Certification, and institutions of
higher education, under the leadership of the board, to cooperate to ensure
certain goals and standards. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
   Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. 

Amends Section 7.006, Chapter 7A, Education Code, to include the Higher
Education Coordinating Council on the council.  Requires the Director of
Information Resources representative to serve as presiding officer of the
council.    Requires the council to submit a report to the legislature on
the implementation of the statewide plan with recommendations on statutory
or other changes that require legislative action to improve the statewide
plan by a certain date. Deletes text requiring the council to select a
presiding officer from among its members.  Makes conforming changes.