BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                    C.S.H.B. 1403

                                                                                                                                           By: Eissler

                                                                                                                                 Public Education

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The State Board of Education (SBOE) oversees many important public education functions.  Currently, SBOE members are not eligible to participate in the state employees group benefits program as provided by Section 1551.101(a), Insurance Code.  The bill makes SBOE members eligible to participate in the program.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

The bill amends Section 1551.101, Insurance Code, by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c)  An individual who is a member of the State Board of Education is eligible to participate in the group benefits program as provided by Subsection (a).

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2007.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

 

The original bill is significantly different from the substitute.  The original included the following provisions that are not in the substitute:

• Section 7.055(a), Education Code, is amended to read as      follows:  (a)  The commissioner has the powers and duties provided by      Subsection (b) or by another provision of law.  The commissioner shall      carry out the commissioner's powers and duties in consultation with the      board.
• Section 7.101(a), Education Code, is amended to read as      follows:  (a)  The State Board of Education is composed of 15 members      elected from districts.  Each district from which a board member is      elected is composed as provided by the court order dated November 2, 2001,      in Miller v. Cuellar, No. 3-01CV1072-G (N.D. Tex.).
• Section 7.102(b), Education Code, is amended to read as      follows:  (b)  The board has the powers and duties provided by Subsection      (c).  The board shall carry out its powers and duties with the advice and      assistance of the commissioner.
• Section 7.102(c), Education Code, is amended by adding      Subdivision (35) to read as follows:  (35)  The board may employ a      reasonable number of staff in carrying out its powers and duties under      this section.
• Section 7.105(a), Education Code, is amended to read as      follows:  (a)  Except as provided by Section 1551.101(c), Insurance Code,      a member of the board is not entitled to receive compensation.
• Section 7.106, Education Code, is amended to read as      follows:  Sec. 7.106. MEETINGS.  The board shall hold four meetings a year      in Austin, Texas, on dates determined by the presiding officer and may      hold other meetings as may be called by the presiding officer.
• Section 7.107, Education Code, is amended to read as      follows:  Sec. 7.107.  OFFICERS.  (a)  The governor, with the advice and      consent of the senate, shall appoint the presiding officer from among the      membership of the board.  The presiding officer serves a term of two      years.  (b)  At the board's first regular meeting after the election and      qualification of new members, the board shall organize, adopt rules of      procedure, and elect by separate votes an assistant presiding officer and      a secretary.  (c)  A person who serves two consecutive terms as presiding      officer is ineligible to again serve as presiding officer until six years      have elapsed since the expiration of the second term.
• Subchapter D, Chapter 7, Education Code, is amended by      adding Section 7.1075 to read as follows:  Sec. 7.1075.  COMMITTEES.  The      board may establish committees of the board, including a committee on      instruction, a committee on planning, and a committee on school finance      and the permanent school fund.