87R229 MEW-F

By: Collier H.B. No. 301

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a certain requirement for an open-enrollment charter school's initial application or expansion amendment.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 12.110, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) to read as follows:

(c-1) As part of the application procedure, the commissioner shall require a letter of community support or opposition from the state representative who represents the district where the proposed school is to be located. The letter must:

(1) be on the state representative's letterhead;

(2) be signed by the state representative;

(3) identify the specific school; and

(4) state clear support for or opposition to the proposed school.

(c-2) The letter required under Subsection (c-1) may be submitted separately or with the application form, provided that it must be received not later than the deadline for the application.

SECTION 2. Section 12.114, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsections (e) and (f) to read as follows:

(e) If the open-enrollment charter school requests approval of an expansion amendment authorizing a new school location, the commissioner shall require a letter of community support or opposition from the state representative who represents the district where the new school is to be located. The letter must:

(1) be on the state representative's letterhead;

(2) be signed by the state representative;

(3) identify the specific new school; and

(4) state clear support for or opposition to the proposed new school.

(f) The letter required under Subsection (e) may be submitted separately or with the request for approval of the expansion amendment, provided that it must be received not later than the date specified by the commissioner.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.