BILL ANALYSIS
By: Shapiro
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Current law does not provide for a clearinghouse of information relating to free, low cost, and/or energy-efficient energy, water, and maintenance measures and programs available to school districts. As proposed, S.B. 961 requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to establish on its website a clearinghouse of information to help school districts identify private entities offering measures and programs designed to conserve energy and water, reduce maintenance costs, and achieve cost savings. The bill authorizes TEA to include in the clearinghouse any information it deems relevant and requires that the information be made available in a manner that permits easy access by school districts and the public.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 44, Education Code, by adding Section 44.902, as follows:
Sec. 44.902. ENERGY AND WATER CONSERVATION CLEARINGHOUSE. (a) Requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to establish a clearinghouse of information relating to energy and water conservation measures and programs that are appropriate for school districts.
(b) Requires TEA to take certain actions relating to energy and water conservation.
(c) Authorizes TEA to include in the clearinghouse any information it determines to be relevant to energy and water conservation for school districts.
(d) Requires TEA to make the information described by this section available on its Internet website in a manner that permits school districts and interested members of the public to easily obtain the information.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, a provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.