BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4186

By: Sanford

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that digital learning technologies could empower Texas' students to grasp concepts more quickly and fully, to connect theory and application more adeptly, and to engage in learning more readily while also improving instructional techniques, leveraging instructor time, and facilitating the widespread sharing of knowledge. H.B. 4186 seeks to provide these benefits by creating the Next Generation Commission on Digital Learning to develop and recommend a framework for the incorporation of digital teaching and learning in public schools.

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. 4186 amends the Education Code to establish the Next Generation Commission on Digital Learning to develop and make recommendations for establishing a framework for the incorporation of digital teaching and learning in public schools. The bill sets out the composition and appointing authorities of the 15-member commission and provides for the designation of the presiding officer and the reimbursement of members' expenses. The bill requires staff members of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide administrative support for the commission and requires funding for administrative and operational expenses to be provided by appropriation to TEA for that purpose. The bill requires the commission to develop recommendations for certain specified purposes and, not later than September 1, 2020, to prepare and deliver a report to the governor and the legislature that recommends statutory changes to develop the framework described by the bill. The bill authorizes the commission to hold public meetings as needed to fulfill its duties and subjects the commission to the state open meetings law and the state public information law. The commission is abolished and the bill's provisions expire January 1, 2021.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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