86R13798 SRS-F

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) the chair of the senate committee on education, or a representative designated by the chair;

(5) the chair of the senate committee on higher education, or a representative designated by the chair;

(6) the chair of the house of representatives public education committee, or a representative designated by the chair;

(7) the chair of the house of representatives committee on higher education, or a representative designated by the chair; 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.