BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 769
	By: Davis, Sarah et al. (Campbell)
	Education
	5/14/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Reports indicate that in recent years public school districts have made severance payments to terminated superintendents totaling millions of dollars. Since these payments come at direct cost to school districts and students, there are concerns that greater transparency and accountability is needed with respect to these situations. H.B. 769 seeks to address these concerns by requiring school districts to request commissioner approval of certain severance payments.

H.B. 769 amends current law relating to the termination of the contract of a superintendent of a school district based on malfeasance.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the commissioner of education is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 11.201, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends �Section 11.201(c), Education Code, as follows:

(c) Prohibits the board of trustees of an independent school district from making any severance payment if the superintendent's contract was terminated for cause under Section 21.211 (Termination or Suspension) or not renewed for cause or if the superintendent resigned in lieu of termination or nonrenewal for cause.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.

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