By: Sanford, Talarico H.B. No. 4186
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a committee to recommend a framework to
  incorporate digital teaching and learning in public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 39, Education Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter O to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER O. NEXT GENERATION COMMISSION ON DIGITAL LEARNING
         Sec. 39.601.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "commission"
  means the Next Generation Commission on Digital Learning.
         Sec. 39.602.  NEXT GENERATION COMMISSION ON DIGITAL
  LEARNING. (a) The Next Generation Commission on Digital Learning
  is established to develop and make recommendations for establishing
  a framework for the incorporation of digital teaching and learning
  in public schools.
         (b)  The commission is composed of 15 members, consisting of
  the following:
               (1)  four members appointed by the governor;
               (2)  three members appointed by the lieutenant
  governor;
               (3)  three members appointed by the speaker of the
  house of representatives;
               (4)  a representative designated by the chair of the
  senate committee on education;
               (5)  a representative designated by the chair of the
  senate committee on higher education;
               (6)  a representative designated by the chair of the
  house of representatives public education committee;
               (7)  a representative designated by the chair of the
  house of representatives committee on higher education; and
 
               (8)  a member of the State Board of Education, as
  designated by the chair of that board.
         (c)  In making appointments under Subsections (b)(1), (2),
  and (3), the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the
  house of representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the
  commission includes at least one of each of the following
  representatives:
               (1)  a parent of or person standing in parental
  relation to a student enrolled in the public school system;
               (2)  an educator in the public school system;
               (3)  an educator in a school district that is a
  participant in the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium under
  Section 7.0561;
               (4)  a member of the business community;
               (5)  a member of the civic community;
               (6)  a leader in digital teaching and learning; and
               (7)  a leader in researching the impact of digital
  teaching and learning on student performance.
         Sec. 39.603.  PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall
  designate the presiding officer of the commission.
         Sec. 39.604.  COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of
  the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the
  commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and
  necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties.
         Sec. 39.605.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDING.
  (a)  Staff members of the agency shall provide administrative
  support for the commission.
         (b)  Funding for the administrative and operational expenses
  of the commission shall be provided by appropriation to the agency
  for that purpose.
         Sec. 39.606.  RECOMMENDATIONS. The commission shall develop
  recommendations under this subchapter to:
               (1)  provide a funding proposal to present to the
  legislature for digital teaching and learning in elementary and
  secondary schools that includes funding to:
                     (A)  improve student outcomes through the use of
  digital teaching and learning technology; and
                     (B)  provide high-quality professional learning
  for educators to improve student outcomes through the use of
  digital teaching and learning technology;
               (2)  develop a framework for effective statewide
  deployment of digital teaching and learning materials in elementary
  and secondary schools; and
               (3)  develop and implement strategies that assist
  school districts in the adoption and implementation of digital
  teaching and learning materials.
         Sec. 39.607.  REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2020, the
  commission shall prepare and deliver a report to the governor and
  the legislature that recommends statutory changes to develop a
  framework to incorporate digital teaching and learning in public
  schools.
         Sec. 39.608.  PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a)  
  The commission may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill its
  duties under this subchapter.
         (b)  The commission is subject to Chapters 551 and 552,
  Government Code.
         Sec. 39.609.  COMMISSION ABOLISHED; EXPIRATION OF
  SUBCHAPTER. (a)  The commission is abolished January 1, 2021.
         (b)  This subchapter expires January 1, 2021.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the
  legislative session.