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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of the Interagency Literacy Council |
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for the study, promotion, and enhancement of literacy in this |
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state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 4, Labor Code, is amended by |
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adding Chapter 312 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 312. INTERAGENCY LITERACY COUNCIL |
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Sec. 312.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "council" means |
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the Interagency Literacy Council established under this chapter. |
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Sec. 312.002. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The Interagency |
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Literacy Council is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas |
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Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that |
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chapter, the council is abolished and this chapter expires |
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September 1, 2019. |
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Sec. 312.003. ESTABLISHMENT AND COMPOSITION. (a) The |
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commission shall establish the Interagency Literacy Council. The |
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council is composed of nine members as follows: |
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(1) a representative of the commission, appointed by |
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the executive director; |
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(2) a representative of the Texas Education Agency, |
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appointed by the commissioner of education; |
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(3) a representative of the Texas Higher Education |
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Coordinating Board, appointed by the commissioner of higher |
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education; and |
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(4) six public members who are leaders of the business |
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or nonprofit community engaged in literacy promotion efforts, |
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appointed by the executive director of the commission. |
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(b) The representative appointed under Subsection (a)(1) |
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shall serve as the presiding officer of the council. |
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Sec. 312.004. COMMISSION DUTIES. The commission shall |
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provide staff and resources as necessary for the operation of the |
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council. |
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Sec. 312.005. TERMS; VACANCY. (a) Members of the council |
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serve two-year terms, with the terms expiring February 1 of each |
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odd-numbered year. |
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(b) A member may be reappointed. |
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(c) A vacancy on the council shall be filled for the |
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remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as provided by |
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Section 312.003(a). |
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Sec. 312.006. MEETINGS. (a) The council shall meet in |
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person at least three times each year and may hold meetings by |
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conference call if necessary. The council shall invite |
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stakeholders to participate in at least one council meeting each |
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year and provide an opportunity for submission of oral or written |
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testimony. |
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(b) Section 551.125, Government Code, applies to a meeting |
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held by conference call under this section, except that Section |
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551.125(b), Government Code, does not apply. |
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Sec. 312.007. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. (a) A member |
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of the council may not receive compensation for service on the |
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council. |
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(b) A public member may be reimbursed for the member's |
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actual and necessary expenses for meals, lodging, and |
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transportation incurred while performing council business, subject |
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to any applicable limitation on reimbursement prescribed by the |
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General Appropriations Act. |
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Sec. 312.008. COUNCIL POWERS AND DUTIES. The council |
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shall: |
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(1) study current research to assess the adult |
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literacy needs in this state, including literacy needs relating to |
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business and finance, workforce and technology, civics, and health |
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and wellness; |
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(2) consult with key stakeholders to identify: |
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(A) barriers to improving literacy; and |
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(B) evidence-based best practices for improving |
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literacy; |
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(3) review the status of the programs and services |
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administered by each agency or entity represented on the council |
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that promote literacy in an effort to coordinate efforts, align |
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services, reduce redundancies, implement best practices, integrate |
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support services, and improve accountability; |
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(4) build existing funding streams and identify |
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additional state and federal funding sources available for the |
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promotion of literacy in this state; and |
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(5) raise literacy awareness and engage community |
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leaders in creative solution building for improving literacy in |
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this state. |
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Sec. 312.009. STATEWIDE LITERACY PLAN; REPORT. (a) The |
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council shall develop a comprehensive statewide action plan for the |
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improvement of literacy in this state, including a recommended |
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timeline for implementation. |
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(b) The council shall submit to both houses of the |
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legislature, the governor, and the Texas Workforce Investment |
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Council on or before November 1 of each even-numbered year a written |
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report on: |
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(1) the development of the council's statewide action |
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plan; |
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(2) the actions taken in furtherance of the plan; |
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(3) the areas that need improvement in implementing |
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the plan; |
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(4) any change to the plan; and |
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(5) the programs and services that address literacy |
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needs in this state. |
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Sec. 312.010. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The commission |
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may accept for the council a gift, grant, or donation from any |
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source to carry out the purposes of this chapter. |
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Sec. 312.011. RULES. The commission may adopt rules |
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necessary to implement this chapter. |
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SECTION 2. (a) The Interagency Literacy Council shall |
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submit the initial report required under Section 312.009(b), Labor |
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Code, as added by this Act, not later than November 1, 2012. |
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(b) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this |
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Act, the designated appointing officials shall appoint the members |
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to the Interagency Literacy Council established under Chapter 312, |
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Labor Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 4328 was passed by the House on May 6, |
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2009, by the following vote: Yeas 123, Nays 21, 1 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 4328 on May 23, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 2, |
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1 present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 4328 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 21, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |