SRC-MWN H.B. 660 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 660 By: Seaman (Van de Putte) Education 5/11/2001 Committee Report (Amended) DIGEST AND PURPOSE While career opportunities in industry and technology continue to develop in Texas, some school districts are decreasing their budgets for career and technology training programs. The required enrichment curriculum for school districts includes career and technology education, but most schools focus their efforts on preparing students for four year university degrees. Many students seeking employment or postsecondary career and technology training after high school may not be fully prepared for this training or employment. Texas has made progress in technology and industrial technology education through the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills program and the 2000-2002 State Plan for Career and Technology Education. H.B. 660 includes career and technology education in the objectives of public education and sets forth provisions to recognize and expand the importance of career and technology education. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 4.001(b), Education Code, to set forth the objectives of public education. SECTION 2. Amends Section 11.251(b), Education Code, to require the State Board of Education (board) to establish a procedure under which meetings are held regularly by district-and campus-level planning and decision-making committees that include certain persons. Requires the committees to include a business and industry representative without regard to whether the representative resides in the district or whether the business or industry the person represents is located in the district. Deletes reference to business. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 29F, Education Code, by adding Section 29.1821, as follows: Sec. 29.1821. CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD. (a) Provides that the Career and Technology Education Advisory Board consists of nine members appointed by the commissioner. (b) Requires the board to include certain persons. (c) Provides that a member of the board serves at the pleasure of the commissioner. (d) Prohibits a member of the board from receiving compensation or reimbursement of travel expenses. (e) Requires the board to perform certain duties. SECTION 4. Amends Chapter 29F, Education Code, by adding Section 29.187, as follows: Sec. 29.187. AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT IN CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION; PROGRAM. (a) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district, in addition to the authority granted under Section 29.183, to develop and offer a program under which a student may receive or obtain certain items. (b) Provides that an award granted under this section is not in lieu of a diploma or certificate of courseware completion issued under Section 28.025. (c) Requires the board of trustees of a school district, in developing a program under this Section, to consider the state plan for career and technology education required under Section 29.182. (d) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district to contract with an entity listed in Section 29.184(a) for assistance in developing the program or providing instruction to district students participating in the program. (e) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district to also contract with a local business or a local institution of higher education for assistance in developing or operating a program under this section. Authorizes a program to provide education in areas of technology unique to the local area. (f) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district to provide insurance to protect a business that contracts with the district under Subsection (e) against liability for a bodily injury sustained by or the death of a district student while working for the business as part of a program established under this section. Requires the amount of insurance the district provides to be reasonable considering the financial condition of the district. Requires the insurance to meet certain criteria. (g) Requires the board of trustees of a school district to submit a proposed program under this section to the commissioner in accordance with criteria established by the commissioner. SECTION 5. Amends Chapter 29F, Education Code, by adding Section 29.188, as follows: Sec. 29.188. RECOGNITION OF SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAM. Provides that the governor is encouraged to present a proclamation or certificate to each member of the business and industry community that the Texas Workforce Commission, in cooperation with the agency, determines has successfully assisted in the provision of a career and technology education program under this subchapter. SECTION 6. Amends Section 61.077(b), Education Code, to require the committee to perform certain duties. SECTION 7. Amends Section 41.123, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 41.123. WADA COUNT. Provides that for purposes of Chapter 42, students served under an agreement under this subchapter are counted only in the weighted average daily attendance of the district providing the services, except that students served under an agreement authorized by Section 41.125 are counted in a manner determined by the commissioner. SECTION 8. Amends Chapter 41E, Education Code, by adding Section 41.125, as follows: Sec. 41.125. CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. (a) Authorizes the board of trustees of a school district with a wealth per student that exceeds the equalized wealth level to reduce the district's wealth per student by executing an agreement to provide students of one or more other districts with career and technology education through a program designated as an area program for career and technology education. (b) Provides that the agreement is not effective unless the commissioner certifies that certain conditions are met. (c) Requires the board of trustees of the school district to obtain voter approval of the agreement in the manner provided by Section 41.122, except that the ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against a certain proposition. SECTION 9. Amends Chapter 301D, Labor Code, by adding Section 301.0611, as follows: Sec. 301.0611. COORDINATION OF CERTAIN AWARDS AND INCENTIVES. Requires the commission, in cooperation with the Texas Education Agency, the comptroller, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to prepare and make available to the public a list of all awards and incentives available for business participation in certain career and technology education programs. SECTION 10. Amends Section 481.156(a), Government Code, to authorize certain employers or provider to apply for a grant under this subchapter. SECTION 11. Provides that this Act takes effect September 1, 2001, except that Sections 1, 2, and 4 take effect immediately and apply beginning with the 2001-2002 school year if this Act receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. Provides that if this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, Sections 1, 2, and 4 take effect September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Deletes previously proposed SECTION 3. Renumbers As Filed SECTIONS 4 through 12 as SECTIONS 3 through 11. SECTION 11. Amends reference to Section 5 by replacing "5" with "4."