AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, a school district may enter into a detachment and annexation process with another school district by which territory is detached from one district and annexed to another district that is contiguous to the detached territory. Because a school district also may consolidate its territory with another district, there is concern that too few protections exist to protect a vote or agreement to consolidate school districts under the current detachment and annexation process. For example, two school districts may vote in favor of or sign an agreement to consolidate, while one of the districts may at the same time be planning to detach and annex a portion of its territory to another district, with the result that the original intent of school districts engaged in an active consolidation process may be undermined by the alterations in the territory they thought was being consolidated. H.B. 2016 seeks to establish a safeguard for school districts engaged in an active consolidation process.
H.B. 2016 amends current law relating to the receipt or consideration of a petition requesting detachment and annexation by the board of trustees of a school district after adoption of consolidation resolutions.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 13, Education Code, by adding Section 13.1521, as follows:
Sec. 13.1521. RECEIPT OR CONSIDERATION OF PETITION REQUESTING DETACHMENT AND ANNEXATION AFTER ADOPTION OF CONSOLIDATION RESOLUTIONS. Prohibits the board of trustees of each school district (board), if a resolution in favor of consolidation has been adopted by those boards of each school district proposed to be consolidated into a particular single district, from receiving or considering a petition requesting detachment and annexation under Subchapter B (Detachment; Annexation) without the consent of each of the other of those boards of trustees before consolidation, or before consolidation is disapproved at an election under Section 13.153 (Election Order; Notice).
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.