84R10480 MEW-F
 
  By: Taylor of Galveston S.B. No. 1898
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to revocation of a charter for an open-enrollment charter
  school and procedures for the disposition of property owned by a
  charter school after revocation or surrender of a charter.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 12.116, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a), (c), and (d) and adding Subsections (e)
  and (f) to read as follows:
         (a)  The commissioner shall adopt an informal review
  procedure to be used for revoking the charter of an open-enrollment
  charter school or for reconstituting the governing body of the
  charter holder as authorized by Section 12.115.
         (c)  A decision by the commissioner to revoke a charter is
  subject to review by the State Office of Administrative
  Hearings.  Notwithstanding Chapter 2001, Government Code:
               (1)  the State Office of Administrative Hearings shall
  conduct a revocation review hearing and issue a final decision not
  later than the 90th day after the date that the notice of hearing is
  filed with the State Office of Administrative Hearings;
               (2)  the administrative law judge shall uphold a
  decision by the commissioner to revoke a charter unless the judge
  finds the decision is arbitrary and capricious or clearly
  erroneous; and
               (3) [(2)]  a decision of the administrative law judge
  under this subsection is final and may not be appealed.
         (d)  If the commissioner issues a decision to revoke
  [revokes] the charter of an open-enrollment charter school, the
  commissioner may:
               (1)  manage the school until alternative arrangements
  are made for the school's students; [and]
               (2)  assign operation of one or more campuses formerly
  operated by the charter holder who held the revoked charter to a
  different charter holder who consents to the assignment; or
               (3)  appoint a board of managers under Section 12.1165
  or an agent of the commissioner to close the operations of the
  school and manage the disposition of the state's personal and real
  property in the possession of the charter holder.
         (e)  If the commissioner decides to manage the school under
  Subsection (d)(1), the commissioner may:
               (1)  allow the existing governing body of the school to
  manage the school, under the commissioner's direction, until the
  conclusion of the academic school year;
               (2)  appoint a board of managers under Section 12.1165;
  or 
               (3)  appoint an individual to serve as the agent of the
  commissioner.
         (f)  The commissioner shall transfer to the charter school
  liquidation account established under Section 12.269 any funds
  received by the charter holder under Section 12.106 that remain
  after the operations of the school are closed under this section.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 12, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 12.1165 and 12.1166 to read as follows:
         Sec. 12.1165.  BOARD OF MANAGERS FOR OPERATION OR
  DISSOLUTION. (a) If the commissioner issues a decision to revoke
  the charter of an open-enrollment charter school, the commissioner
  may appoint a board of managers and a charter superintendent to:
               (1)  manage the school under Section 12.116(d)(1); or
               (2)  close the operations of the school under Section
  12.116(d)(3). 
         (b)  The commissioner may designate an individual member of
  the board of managers to submit to the agency any required data,
  reports, or other information necessary to close the operations of
  the school.
         (c)  The board of managers may exercise all of the powers and
  duties assigned to a governing body of a charter holder by any
  statute or rule.
         (d)  If the governing body of a charter holder is managing a
  school under Section 12.116(e)(1), the governing body's powers are
  terminated on the effective date of the commissioner's appointment
  of the board of managers.
         (e)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, the
  board of managers may amend the school's budget. The board of
  managers may use cash on hand received by the former charter holder
  under Section 12.106 or any allocation of state funding due to the
  former charter holder under Section 12.106 to close the operations
  of the school. Actions taken under this subsection are subject to
  the approval of the commissioner.
         (f)  A person who serves on the board of managers or as a
  charter superintendent under this section acts on behalf of the
  commissioner and is entitled to:
               (1)  sovereign immunity; and
               (2)  representation by the attorney general for any act
  or omission taken while acting in the person's official capacity.
         (g)  The board of managers shall continue to operate until
  dissolved by the commissioner. Members of the board of managers and
  a charter superintendent serve at the discretion of the
  commissioner and may be replaced by the commissioner at any time.
         (h)  Except as otherwise provided, this chapter applies to a
  school governed by a board of managers in the same manner this
  chapter applies to any other charter school.
         Sec. 12.1166.  COMPENSATION OF BOARD OF MANAGERS AND CHARTER
  SUPERINTENDENT. (a)  The commissioner may authorize compensation
  for a member of a board of managers or a charter superintendent
  appointed under Section 12.1165.
         (b)  The commissioner shall establish the terms of
  compensation provided under Subsection (a).
         (c)  The commissioner shall use funds of the former school
  due or received under Section 12.106 for compensation of a charter
  superintendent or a member of a board of managers. 
         (d)  If funds described by Subsection (c) are not available
  or the commissioner determines that the circumstances require, the
  commissioner may use available agency funds for compensation under
  this section, provided that the use of the available funds for that
  purpose is not prohibited by other law.
         (e)  If the commissioner determines that the amount
  appropriated for purposes of the Foundation School Program exceeds
  the amount to which school districts are entitled under Chapters 42
  and 46, the commissioner may authorize the comptroller to transfer
  funds from the Foundation School Program to the agency's
  administrative account for compensation as provided by this
  section.
         SECTION 3.  Section 12.128, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (c-1), (c-2), and (f) to read as follows:
         (c-1)  In supervising the disposition of property under
  Subsection (c)(2), the commissioner may:
               (1)  file a suit for receivership under Subchapter G;
  or
               (2)  seek a court of competent jurisdiction to declare
  the property to be state property and order the property to be
  titled in the name of the state.
         (c-2)  If the commissioner obtains a court declaration
  described by Subsection (c-1)(2):
               (1)  the General Land Office shall:
                     (A)  sell any real property through any method
  available to the General Land Office; and
                     (B)  transfer any proceeds of the sale of the real
  property to the charter school liquidation account established
  under Section 12.269; and
               (2)  the Texas Facilities Commission shall transfer any
  proceeds from the sale of property disposed of under Chapter 2175,
  Government Code, into the charter school liquidation account
  established under Section 12.269.
         (f)  The proceeds of the sale of property under Subsection
  (c-2) are not subject to the requirements of the General
  Appropriations Act or statutory requirements or rules related to
  the general revenue fund.
         SECTION 4.  Chapter 12, Education Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter G to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G. CHARTER SCHOOL RECEIVERSHIP AND LIQUIDATION
         Sec. 12.251.  PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is to
  aid the commissioner in carrying out the commissioner's duty to
  supervise the disposition of public property of a charter school
  that ceases to operate. This subchapter shall be liberally
  construed to permit the commissioner, acting as a receiver, to
  promptly dispose of public property to preserve state funds.
         Sec. 12.252.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Former charter school" means a charter school
  that may no longer function as a charter school under this chapter
  or Chapter 39 because the school's charter has been revoked or
  surrendered.
               (2)  "Liquidation order" means a final order entered by
  the receivership court approving the receiver's disposition of all
  public property and closing the receivership.
               (3)  "Proposed disposition plan" means a plan presented
  by the receiver to the court that accounts for the disposition of
  all assets in the possession of a former charter school.
               (4)  "Receiver" means the commissioner, acting in an
  official capacity to take possession, assume control, and dispose
  of public property of a former charter school. The term includes a
  special deputy receiver.
               (5)  "Receivership order" means a court order by which
  the court assumes jurisdiction, opens a receivership proceeding,
  and appoints the commissioner as the receiver for the assets of a
  former charter school.
               (6)  "Special deputy receiver" means a person appointed
  by or acting under a contract with the commissioner as a receiver on
  the commissioner's behalf.
         Sec. 12.253.  RECEIVERSHIP; JURISDICTION AND VENUE. (a) If
  the commissioner revokes or accepts the surrender of the charter of
  a charter school, the commissioner may determine that a
  receivership is warranted to conserve or dispose of public property
  over which the commissioner assumes control or possession under
  this chapter or Chapter 39.
         (b)  At the request of the commissioner, the attorney general
  shall bring an action in a Travis County district court to appoint a
  receiver to liquidate the assets of a former charter school or a
  charter school that has otherwise ceased to operate. 
         (c)  A court does not have jurisdiction over any receivership
  proceeding for a charter school commenced on behalf of a person
  other than the commissioner.
         (d)  Not later than the 30th day after the date the attorney
  general brings an action to appoint a receiver under this section,
  the court shall enter a receivership order opening the receivership
  proceeding.
         Sec. 12.254.  RECEIVERSHIP ORDER. (a) A receivership order
  shall:
               (1)  appoint the commissioner and any successor in
  office as the receiver for the former charter school; and 
               (2)  direct the receiver to take possession of the
  property of the former charter school and administer the property
  subject to this subchapter.
         (b)  The receiver may request that the receivership court
  appoint a single judge to supervise the receivership and hear any
  cases or controversies arising out of or related to the
  receivership.
         (c)  The rights and liabilities of all persons interested in
  the assets of the former charter school become fixed as of the date
  of entry of the court's receivership order.
         Sec. 12.255.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF RECEIVER. (a) The
  receiver may assume or reject any executory contract or unexpired
  lease of the former charter school.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, the receiver is
  authorized to liquidate by sale or contract for sale any real
  property owned by a former charter school to satisfy debts of the
  school and return public property and proceeds to the state.
         (c)  The receiver may dispose of the former charter school's
  property using provisions for:
               (1)  the disposal of surplus and salvage property under
  Chapter 2175, Government Code; or
               (2)  the sale of real property under Section
  12.128(c-2).
         (d)  If the receiver disposes of real property under
  Subsection (c)(2), the receivership court shall assume sole
  jurisdiction of the transfer of title.
         (e)  The receiver shall dispose of any property determined to
  be held in trust or any federal property in compliance with
  applicable law.
         Sec. 12.256.  APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAWS.  (a)  Any law
  governing the procurement of goods and services by the state does
  not apply to a contract entered into by the commissioner as a
  receiver. This section does not waive any immunity or create a
  cause of action against the state.
         (b)  A receiver appointed under this subchapter may not be
  required to pay any filing, recording, transcript, or
  authentication fee to any public officer in the state.
         Sec. 12.257.  SPECIAL DEPUTY RECEIVER; OTHER EMPLOYMENT.
  (a) The receiver may appoint or contract with one or more special
  deputy receivers to act for the receiver under this subchapter and
  employ or contract with legal counsel, actuaries, accountants,
  appraisers, consultants, clerks, assistants, and other personnel
  necessary to assist in the liquidation of the former charter
  school's assets.
         (b)  A special deputy receiver has all powers of the receiver
  granted by this subchapter, unless specifically limited by the
  receiver, and serves at the pleasure of the receiver.
         (c)  A special deputy receiver or other person with whom the
  receiver contracts under this section may act on behalf of the
  commissioner only in the commissioner's capacity as receiver.
         (d)  The receiver may determine the reasonable compensation
  for any special deputy, employee, or contractor and pay
  compensation in accordance with Section 12.262.
         Sec. 12.258.  PERFORMANCE BOND REQUIRED. The receiver shall
  execute a bond to ensure the proper performance of the receiver's
  duties under this subchapter in an amount to be set by the court.
         Sec. 12.259.  ASSETS OF FORMER CHARTER SCHOOL. (a) The
  receiver or a special deputy receiver shall take possession of all
  student records, books, papers, electronic data, personal and real
  property, and other assets purchased or acquired, wholly or partly,
  with state funds of a former charter school.
         (b)  If a record or asset described under Subsection (a) is
  in the possession of a special deputy receiver, the receiver may
  review that asset promptly on request made to the special deputy
  receiver.
         (c)  A receiver or special deputy receiver is required to
  comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20
  U.S.C. Section 1232g).
         Sec. 12.260.  IMMUNITY, INDEMNIFICATION, AND
  REPRESENTATION. (a) The commissioner is entitled to immunity for
  all acts taken as a receiver. A special deputy receiver is entitled
  to immunity to the same extent as the commissioner acting as a
  receiver.
         (b)  If any legal action is commenced against the receiver or
  a special deputy receiver, whether against the receiver or special
  deputy receiver personally or in their official capacity, resulting
  from an alleged act, error, or omission of the receiver or special
  deputy receiver arising out of or by reason of their duties or
  employment, the receiver or special deputy receiver is indemnified
  for all expenses, attorney's fees, judgments, settlements,
  decrees, or amounts due and owing or paid in satisfaction of or
  incurred in the defense of the legal action, unless it is determined
  on a final adjudication on the merits that the alleged act, error,
  or omission of the receiver or special deputy receiver giving rise
  to the claim:
               (1)  did not arise out of or by reason of the receiver's
  or special deputy receiver's duties or employment; or
               (2)  was caused by intentional or wilful and wanton
  misconduct.
         (c)  Any indemnification shall first be paid from the assets
  of the former charter school. If no assets of the former charter
  school are available, the state shall indemnify the receiver or
  special deputy receiver.
         (d)  The attorney general shall represent the receiver or
  special deputy receiver:
               (1)  in all actions relating to a receivership under
  this subchapter; and
               (2)  in any suit challenging an action taken by the
  receiver or special deputy receiver in the receiver's or special
  deputy receiver's capacity as a receiver unless the conduct was
  caused by intentional or wilful and wanton misconduct.
         Sec. 12.261.  REQUESTED NOTICE. (a) On written request to
  the receiver, a person must be placed on the service list to receive
  notice of matters filed by the receiver. It is the responsibility
  of the person requesting notice to inform the receiver in writing of
  any changes in the person's address or to request that the person's
  name be deleted from the service list. The receiver may require
  that a person on the service list provide confirmation to remain on
  the service list. Any person who fails to confirm the person's
  intent to remain on the service list may be purged from the service
  list. Inclusion on the service list does not confer standing in the
  receivership proceeding to raise, appear, or be heard on any issue.
         (b)  Notice of a proposed disposition plan to a person on the
  service list must be provided as established by Section 12.265.
         Sec. 12.262.  APPROVAL AND PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. (a) The
  receiver shall submit an estimate of expenses to the receivership
  court for approval.
         (b)  The receiver may pay any expenses under contracts,
  leases, employment agreements, or other arrangements entered into
  by the former charter school before receivership from the assets of
  the former charter school. The receiver is not required to pay any
  expenses that the receiver determines are not necessary and may
  reject any contract under Section 12.257.
         (c)  The receiver may deposit former charter school funds in
  the charter school liquidation account established under Section
  12.269 and pay former charter school expenses from that account.
         (d)  If a special deputy receiver has been appointed to pay
  certain expenses and the special deputy receiver has insufficient
  funds to pay those expenses from the assets of the former charter
  school, the special deputy receiver may request that the receiver
  draw funds from the charter school liquidation account established
  under Section 12.269 to pay the expenses.
         (e)  If the receiver determines that the expenses under
  Subsection (d) are necessary, the receiver may withdraw the amount
  necessary to pay the expenses of the receivership.
         Sec. 12.263.  PRIORITIZATION AND SATISFACTION OF DEBTS. (a)
  The state, commissioner, or receiver may not be held liable for the
  debts or liabilities incurred by a former charter school.
         (b)  The receiver shall satisfy debts of a former charter
  school in accordance with a proposed disposition plan after payment
  of:
               (1)  debts to state and federal governmental entities,
  including payments to a conservator, monitor, superintendent, or
  member of a board of managers or management;
               (2)  perfected liens;
               (3)  secured debts; and
               (4)  expenses of the receivership.
         (c)  After satisfaction of the debts and expenses listed in
  Subsection (b), any remaining state assets of a former charter
  school shall be used to satisfy debts in the following priority,
  unless otherwise ordered by the receivership court:
               (1)  salary owed to non-administrative faculty and
  staff;
               (2)  unpaid, unsecured rent on leasehold;
               (3)  vendors; and
               (4)  any other debts recognized by law.
         Sec. 12.264.  PROPOSED DISPOSITION PLAN. (a) The receiver
  shall file with the court a proposed disposition plan that accounts
  for:
               (1)  the disposition of all known assets of the former
  charter school; and
               (2)  the amount of all expenses that the receiver may
  incur.
         (b)  The proposed disposition plan must specifically
  identify any property that is not considered to be public property
  under Section 12.128.
         (c)  If the commissioner appoints a special deputy receiver
  to develop the disposition plan, the special deputy receiver must
  present the plan to the commissioner for approval before filing the
  plan with the court.
         Sec. 12.265.  NOTICE OF PROPOSED DISPOSITION PLAN. (a)
  Unless the receivership court otherwise directs, the receiver shall
  give notice of the proposed disposition plan as soon as possible:
               (1)  by first class mail or electronic communication as
  permitted by the receivership court to:
                     (A)  any person known or reasonably expected to
  have a claim against the former charter school, at the person's last
  known address as indicated by the records of the former charter
  school;
                     (B)  each state and federal agency with an
  interest in the proceeding; and
                     (C)  any person on the service list under Section
  12.261; and
               (2)  by publication in a newspaper of general
  circulation in the county in which the principal place of business
  of the former charter school was located, in any county in which the
  former charter holder operated a school, and in any other location
  as the receiver deems appropriate.
         (b)  The notice of the proposed disposition plan must contain
  or provide directions for obtaining the following information:
               (1)  a statement that the former charter school has
  ceased to operate and that the commissioner has taken possession
  and assumed control of the school's assets under Section 12.128;
               (2)  a statement of the date, time, and location of any
  initial status hearing scheduled at the time the notice is sent;
               (3)  a description of the process for obtaining notice
  of matters before the receivership court; and
               (4)  any other information the receiver or the
  receivership court deems appropriate.
         (c)  If notice is given in accordance with this section, the
  distribution of property of the former charter school under this
  subchapter is conclusive with respect to all claimants, regardless
  of whether the claimant received notice.
         (d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
  the receiver has no duty to locate any person if an address is not
  found in the records of the former charter school or if mailings are
  returned to the receiver because of the inability to deliver to the
  address shown in the records of the school. If notice is not given
  to a person as provided by this subsection, notice by publication or
  actual notice received is sufficient.
         (e)  Written certification by the receiver or other
  knowledgeable person acting for the receiver that the notice was
  deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, or that the
  notice has been electronically transmitted is prima facie evidence
  of mailing and receipt of notice. All claimants shall keep the
  receiver informed of any changes of address.
         Sec. 12.266.  HEARING AND APPEAL ON DISPOSITION PLAN. (a)
  Any party objecting to the proposed disposition plan must file an
  objection specifying the grounds for the objection not later than
  the 45th day after the date of the notice of the filing of the
  proposed disposition plan or within another period as the
  receivership court may set.  An objection must also be served on the
  receiver and any other person served with the proposed disposition
  plan. An objecting party has the burden of showing why the
  receivership court should not authorize the proposed disposition
  plan or any other action proposed by the receiver.
         (b)  If no objection to the proposed disposition plan is
  timely filed, the receivership court shall enter an order approving
  the application without a hearing. The receiver may request that
  the receivership court enter an order or hold a hearing on any
  outstanding motions on an expedited basis.
         (c)  If an objection is timely filed, the receivership court
  may hold a hearing. If the receivership court approves the proposed
  disposition plan and, on a motion by the receiver, determines that
  the objection was frivolous or filed for delay or for another
  improper purpose, the receivership court shall order the objecting
  party to pay the receiver's reasonable costs and fees of defending
  the action.
         Sec. 12.267.  LIQUIDATION ORDER. (a) When the receiver has
  disposed of all assets according to the proposed disposition plan
  approved by the court, the receiver shall promptly apply to the
  receivership court for entry of a liquidation order.
         (b)  On demonstration to the court that the receiver has
  complied with the disposition plan and all assets have been
  disposed of in accordance with the plan, the court shall enter a
  liquidation order discharging the receiver and closing the
  receivership.
         (c)  A liquidation order under this subchapter is final and
  may not be appealed.
         Sec. 12.268.  DISPOSITION OF REMAINING FUNDS. After a
  liquidation order has been entered, the commissioner shall deposit
  any remaining funds from the former charter school in the charter
  school liquidation account established under Section 12.269.
         Sec. 12.269.  CHARTER SCHOOL LIQUIDATION ACCOUNT. (a) The
  commissioner shall remit to the comptroller funds received under
  Sections 12.116 and 12.128 and this subchapter for deposit in an
  interest-bearing deposit account in the Texas Treasury Safekeeping
  Trust Company to be known as the charter school liquidation
  account. Money in the account may be spent by the commissioner only
  for the purposes provided by this section.
         (b)  The charter school liquidation account shall be
  administered by the commissioner to pay the expenses incurred
  during a receivership of any former charter school.
         (c)  The commissioner shall annually review the charter
  school liquidation account and transfer any funds exceeding $2
  million to the comptroller for deposit in the charter district bond
  guarantee reserve fund established under Section 45.0571. The
  commissioner may delay a transfer under this subsection if the
  excess does not exceed $100,000.
         Sec. 12.270.  RULES. The commissioner may adopt rules
  necessary to implement this subchapter.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.