SRC-TAG H.B. 860 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 860 78R448 BDH-DBy: McReynolds (Shapiro) Education 5/22/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law permits school districts to use non-instructional days for planning and preparation or staff development. Site-based decision-making committees have the authority to approve the content of staff development instruction, but are not authorized to decide the number of non-instructional days dedicated to staff development. These committees are closely connected to faculty members, and possess an understanding of whether non-instructional days should be used for planning and preparation or staff development. Providing the committees with the authority to decide the number of days to devote to staff development enables schools to develop comprehensive, high-quality instruction for staff development. H.B. 860 provides for the site-based decision-making committee's approval of the use of educators' non-instructional days on campuses that receive exemplary status under Chapter 39. 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 11.253(e), Education Code, to require the campus-level committee to approve the use of educators' days of service for which instruction is not required, if the campus is rated exemplary under Chapter 39. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.