By: Patrick H.B. No. 3509
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force to evaluate redistribution
of surplus textbooks owned by the State of Texas.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  DEFINITION. In this Act, "task force" means the
surplus textbook redistribution task force created under Section 2
of this Act.
       SECTION 2.  SURPLUS TEXTBOOK REDISTRIBUTION TASK FORCE. (a)
the Commissioner of Education shall select members of the surplus
textbook redistribution task force to represent the following
entities and interest groups from applicants recommended by the
following entities and interest groups:
             (1)  Texas Education Agency Division of Instructional
Materials and Educational Technology;
             (2)  State Auditors Office;
             (3)  the State Department of Information Resources;
             (4)  business officers of school districts and
open-enrollment charter schools;
             (5)  textbook publishers;
             (6)  educational material depositories; and
             (7)  professional organizations representing textbook
coordinators for school districts or open enrollment charter
schools.
       (b)  The Commissioner of Education or the Commissioner's
designee is the presiding officer of the task force.
       SECTION 3.  DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force shall
review, evaluate, and recommend methods for efficient
redistribution of surplus instructional materials among school
districts and open enrollment schools, including:
       (a)  determining best management practices to meet the goal
of maximizing use of surplus textbooks as a method to reduce the
state's cost for textbooks while speeding delivery of instructional
materials to students;
       (b)  evaluating benefits of creation of a central textbook
surplus redistribution center or regional centers;
       (c)  identifying changes in law or regulations to facilitate
the goal expressed in subsection (a).
       SECTION 4.  ASSISTANCE OF STATE AGENCIES. The task force may
request the assistance of state agencies, departments, or offices
to carry out its duties, including necessary staff support.
       SECTION 5.  PUBLIC MEETINGS. The task force may hold public
meetings as needed to fulfill its duties under this Act.
       SECTION 6.  REPORT. Not later than November 1, 2008, the task
force shall make a final report to the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, and the legislature
evaluating the issues described in Section 3 of this Act.
       SECTION 7.  EXPIRATION OF ACT AND ABOLITION OF TASK FORCE.
This Act expires and the task force is abolished on January 1, 2009.
       SECTION 8.  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 September 1, 2007.