BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1639

By: Martinez

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been reported that public school districts with a certain combination of governing board election policies are unable to bring those policies into compliance with state law because they lack the authority to make the necessary local changes. H.B. 1639 seeks to address this issue by authorizing independent school district boards to make specified changes to members' terms and board election dates.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1639 amends the Education Code to add a temporary provision set to expire January 1, 2030, authorizing the board of trustees of an independent school district, not later than December 31, 2024, to adopt a resolution changing the length of the terms of its trustees. The bill requires the resolution to provide for staggered terms of either three or four years and to specify the manner in which the transition from the length of the former term to the modified term is made, requires the transition to begin with the first regular election for trustees that occurs after the board adopts the resolution, and requires a trustee who serves on the date the resolution is adopted to serve the remainder of that term.

H.B. 1639 amends the Election Code to add a temporary provision set to expire January 1, 2025, authorizing the governing body of a district, not later than December 31, 2024, to change the date on which it holds its general election for officers to the November uniform election date if the district holds that general election on another date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.