SRC-MWN S.B. 207 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 207 77R2703 BDH-DBy: Bivins Education 2/9/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Section 21.254(e), Texas Education Code, provides that parties involved in a teacher termination/suspension hearing are authorized to agree on the selection of a certified hearing examiner. Such agreement is only permitted, however, in instances in which the examiner is not on the commissioner's list of certified hearing examiners. As proposed, S.B. 207 allows parties involved in a teacher termination/suspension hearing to come to an agreement on the selection of a certified hearing examiner even in those instances in which the examiners name appears on the commissioner's list. 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 21.254(e), Education Code, to authorize the parties by agreement to select a hearing examiner from the list maintained by the commissioner of education under Subsection (a) or a person who is not certified to serve as a hearing examiner, after the teacher receives the notice of the proposed action. Authorizes a person who is not a certified hearing examiner to be selected only if the person is licensed to practice law in this state. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.