79S10024 BDH-D

By:  Hochberg                                                     H.B. No. 26 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the certification of and training for school district 
financial officers.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 44, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 44.011 to read as follows:
	Sec.  44.011.  SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCIAL OFFICER; 
CERTIFICATION REQUIRED.  (a)  A school district employee 
responsible for the fiscal management of the district shall 
complete a professional certification course that includes 
professional business practices and provides recognized standards 
of professional competence for school business administrators, 
officials, and specialists in this state.
	(b)  A school district employee subject to this section shall 
attend a training session relating to the employee's responsibility 
for the fiscal management of a school district at least once each 
two-year period.  The commissioner shall determine appropriate 
subject matter for and providers of training required under this 
subsection.
	(c)  A school district employee responsible for the fiscal 
management of the district who is a certified public accountant 
under Chapter 901, Occupations Code, is exempt from this section.
	(d)  The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to 
implement this section.
	SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2006, the Texas 
Education Agency shall provide school districts with a list of 
approved certification courses and training programs for purposes 
of Section 44.011, Education Code, as added by this Act.  A school 
district financial officer employed by a school district on or 
before January 1, 2006, must:
		(1)  complete the certification course not later than 
July 1, 2006; and     
		(2)  complete the training program not later than July 
1, 2008.             
	SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2006–2007 
school year. 
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the 
legislative session.