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.