S.B. No. 1365
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to public school organization, accountability, and fiscal
  management.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1. STATE AND LOCAL ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE
         SECTION 1.01.  Section 7.055, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner's power
  to delegate ministerial and executive functions under Subsection
  (b)(5) is a valid delegation of authority. 
         SECTION 1.02.  Section 11.151(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  Except as provided by Sections 39A.201 and 39A.202, the
  [The] trustees as a body corporate have the exclusive power and duty
  to govern and oversee the management of the public schools of the
  district. All powers and duties not specifically delegated by
  statute to the agency or to the State Board of Education are
  reserved for the trustees, and the agency may not substitute its
  judgment for the lawful exercise of those powers and duties by the
  trustees.
         SECTION 1.03.  Section 11.1511(a), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In addition to powers and duties under Section 11.151 or
  other law, the board of trustees of an independent school district
  has the powers and duties provided by Subsection (b), except as
  otherwise provided by Sections 39A.201 and 39A.202.
  ARTICLE 2. PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ACCOUNTABILITY
         SECTION 2.01.  Chapter 5, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Section 5.003 to read as follows:
         Sec. 5.003.  APPEAL. If an order, decision, or
  determination is described as final in Chapter 7, 11, 12, 39, or
  39A, an interlocutory or intermediate order, decision, report, or
  determination made or reached before the final order, decision, or
  determination may be appealed only as specifically authorized by
  this code or a rule adopted under this code.
         SECTION 2.02.  Sections 12.1141(b) and (d), Education Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  At the end of the term of a charter for an
  open-enrollment charter school, if a charter holder submits to the
  commissioner a petition for expedited renewal of the charter, the
  charter automatically renews unless, not later than the 30th day
  after the date the charter holder submits the petition, the
  commissioner provides written notice to the charter holder that
  expedited renewal of the charter is denied. The commissioner may
  not deny expedited renewal of a charter if:
               (1)  the charter holder has been assigned the highest
  or second highest performance rating under Subchapter C, Chapter
  39, for the three preceding school years;
               (2)  the charter holder has been assigned a financial
  performance accountability rating under Subchapter D, Chapter 39,
  indicating financial performance that is satisfactory or better for
  the three preceding school years; and
               (3)  no campus operating under the charter has been
  assigned an unacceptable [the lowest] performance rating under
  Subchapter C, Chapter 39, for the three preceding school years or
  such a campus has been closed.
         (d)  At the end of the term of a charter for an
  open-enrollment charter school, if a charter holder submits to the
  commissioner a petition for renewal of the charter, the
  commissioner may not renew the charter and shall allow the charter
  to expire if:
               (1)  the charter holder has been assigned an
  unacceptable [the lowest] performance rating under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 39, for any three of the five preceding school years;
               (2)  the charter holder has been assigned a financial
  accountability performance rating under Subchapter D, Chapter 39,
  indicating financial performance that is lower than satisfactory
  for any three of the five preceding school years;
               (3)  the charter holder has been assigned any
  combination of the ratings described by Subdivision (1) or (2) for
  any three of the five preceding school years; or
               (4)  any campus operating under the charter has been
  assigned an unacceptable [the lowest] performance rating under
  Subchapter C, Chapter 39, for the three preceding school years and
  such a campus has not been closed.
         SECTION 2.03.  Section 29.202(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  A student is eligible to receive a public education
  grant or to attend another public school in the district in which
  the student resides under this subchapter if the student is
  assigned to attend a public school campus assigned an unacceptable
  performance rating that is made publicly available under Section
  39.054 [for:
               [(1)  the student achievement domain under Section
  39.053(c)(1); and
               [(2)  the school progress domain under Section
  39.053(c)(2)].
         SECTION 2.04.  Sections 39.057 and 39.058, Education Code,
  are transferred to Subchapter A, Chapter 39, Education Code,
  redesignated as Sections 39.003 and 39.004, Education Code, and
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.003 [39.057].  SPECIAL [ACCREDITATION]
  INVESTIGATIONS. (a)  The commissioner may authorize special
  [accreditation] investigations to be conducted:
               (1)  when excessive numbers of absences of students
  eligible to be tested on state assessment instruments are
  determined;
               (2)  when excessive numbers of allowable exemptions
  from the required state assessment instruments are determined;
               (3)  in response to complaints submitted to the agency
  with respect to alleged violations of civil rights or other
  requirements imposed on the state by federal law or court order;
               (4)  in response to established compliance reviews of
  the district's financial accounting practices and state and federal
  program requirements;
               (5)  when extraordinary numbers of student placements
  in disciplinary alternative education programs, other than
  placements under Sections 37.006 and 37.007, are determined;
               (6)  in response to an allegation involving a conflict
  between members of the board of trustees or between the board and
  the district administration if it appears that the conflict
  involves a violation of a role or duty of the board members or the
  administration clearly defined by this code;
               (7)  when excessive numbers of students in special
  education programs under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, are assessed
  through assessment instruments developed or adopted under Section
  39.023(b);
               (8)  in response to an allegation regarding or an
  analysis using a statistical method result indicating a possible
  violation of an assessment instrument security procedure
  established under Section 39.0301, including for the purpose of
  investigating or auditing a school district under that section;
               (9)  when a significant pattern of decreased academic
  performance has developed as a result of the promotion in the
  preceding two school years of students who did not perform
  satisfactorily as determined by the commissioner under Section
  39.0241(a) on assessment instruments administered under Section
  39.023(a), (c), or (l);
               (10)  when excessive numbers of students eligible to
  enroll fail to complete an Algebra II course or any other advanced
  course as determined by the commissioner;
               (11)  when resource allocation practices as evaluated
  under Section 39.0821 indicate a potential for significant
  improvement in resource allocation;
               (12)  when a disproportionate number of students of a
  particular demographic group is graduating with a particular
  endorsement under Section 28.025(c-1);
               (13)  when an excessive number of students is
  graduating with a particular endorsement under Section
  28.025(c-1);
               (14)  in response to a complaint submitted to the
  agency with respect to alleged inaccurate data that is reported
  through the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS)
  or through other reports required by state or federal law or rule or
  court order and that is used by the agency to make a determination
  relating to public school accountability, including accreditation,
  under this chapter;
               (15)  when a school district for any reason fails to
  produce, at the request of the agency, evidence or an investigation
  report relating to an educator who is under investigation by the
  State Board for Educator Certification; or
               (16)  as the commissioner otherwise determines
  necessary.
         (b)  If the agency's findings in an investigation under
  Subsection (a)(6) indicate that the board of trustees has observed
  a lawfully adopted policy that does not otherwise violate a law or
  rule, the agency may not substitute its judgment for that of the
  board.
         (c)  The commissioner may authorize special [accreditation]
  investigations to be conducted in response to repeated complaints
  submitted to the agency concerning imposition of excessive
  paperwork requirements on classroom teachers.
         (d)  Based on the results of a special [accreditation]
  investigation, the commissioner may:
               (1)  take appropriate action under Chapter 39A;
               (2)  lower the school district's accreditation status
  or a district's or campus's accountability rating; or
               (3)  take action under both Subdivisions (1) and (2).
         (e)  At any time before issuing a report with the agency's
  final findings, the commissioner may defer taking an action under
  Subsection (d) until: 
               (1)  a person who is a third party, selected by the
  commissioner, has reviewed programs or other subjects of an
  investigation under this section and submitted a report identifying
  problems and proposing solutions;
               (2)  a district completes a corrective action plan
  developed by the commissioner; or 
               (3)  the completion of actions under both Subdivisions
  (1) and (2).
         (f)  Based on the results of an action taken under Subsection
  (e), the commissioner may decline to take the deferred action under
  Subsection (d) [Regardless of whether the commissioner lowers the
  school district's accreditation status or a district's or campus's
  performance rating under Subsection (d), the commissioner may take
  action under Section 39A.002 or 39A.051 if the commissioner
  determines that the action is necessary to improve any area of a
  district's or campus's performance, including the district's
  financial accounting practices].
         Sec. 39.004 [39.058].  CONDUCT OF SPECIAL [ACCREDITATION]
  INVESTIGATIONS. (a) The agency shall adopt written procedures for
  conducting special [accreditation] investigations [under this
  subchapter], including procedures that allow the agency to obtain
  information from district employees in a manner that prevents a
  district or campus from screening the information. The agency
  shall make the procedures available on the agency Internet website.  
  Agency staff must be trained in the procedures and must follow the
  procedures in conducting the special [accreditation]
  investigation.
         (a-1)  During the pendency of a special investigation under
  this section, the agency is not required to disclose the identity of
  any witness.
         (b)  After completing a special [accreditation]
  investigation, the agency shall present preliminary findings to any
  person or entity the agency finds has violated a law, rule, or
  policy.  [Before issuing a report with its final findings, the
  agency must provide a person or entity the agency finds has violated
  a law, rule, or policy an opportunity for an informal review by the
  commissioner or a designated hearing examiner.]
         (c)  In presenting the agency's preliminary findings to a
  school district under Subsection (b), the agency:
               (1)  shall provide to the district a written report of
  the agency's preliminary findings of the investigation;
               (2)  shall provide to the district any evidence relied
  on by the agency in making the preliminary findings;
               (3)  shall disclose to the district the identity of any
  witness whose statements the agency relied on in making the
  preliminary findings; and
               (4)  may not include recommended sanctions or
  interventions.
         (d)  A written report of preliminary findings under
  Subsection (c) and all associated materials produced by the agency
  in support of the report are excepted from public disclosure as
  audit working papers of the agency under Section 552.116,
  Government Code. A school district may publicly release a report of
  preliminary findings only if the release is approved by an
  affirmative vote of the board of trustees of the district.
         (e)  Unless otherwise provided by law, all evidence
  collected by the agency in connection with a special investigation,
  including witness statements and videos of agency interviews, are
  confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552,
  Government Code, except that evidence described by this section may
  be disclosed:
               (1)  to a person with a legitimate interest in the
  investigation; or
               (2)  in connection with an administrative or other
  legal proceeding brought under this title.
         (f)  Not later than 30 days after the date on which the board
  of trustees of the school district receives the written report of
  the preliminary findings under Subsection (c), the board of
  trustees of a school district may accept the agency's findings or
  respond in writing to the agency.
         (g)  The agency shall consider any response submitted by the
  board of trustees of the school district under Subsection (f)
  before providing the board of trustees of a school district a final
  report in writing that includes proposed sanctions or
  interventions.
         (h)  Before the commissioner determines to order a sanction
  or intervention based on a final report, other than a sanction or
  intervention described by Section 39.005, the commissioner or the
  commissioner's designee shall provide an informal review. An
  informal review provided under this section is not a contested case
  for purposes of Chapter 2001, Government Code.
         (i)  In conducting a special investigation under Section
  39.003, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee may
  subpoena a current or former school district employee, agent, or
  official to compel the employee, agent, or official to attend a
  deposition or produce documents reasonably necessary for the
  investigation.
         (j)  If a person fails to comply with a subpoena issued under
  Subsection (i), the commissioner, acting through the attorney
  general, may file suit to enforce the subpoena in a district court
  in this state. On a finding that good cause exists for issuing the
  subpoena, the court shall order the person to comply with the
  subpoena and the court may punish a person who fails to obey the
  court order.
         (k)  A court may not enjoin a special investigation conducted
  under this section prior to the conclusion of the special
  investigation.
         (l)  A school district must exhaust the administrative
  remedies provided under this subchapter before appealing the
  findings or final recommendations of a special investigation
  conducted under this section to a court.
         SECTION 2.05.  Subchapter A, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 39.005, 39.006, and 39.007 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 39.005.  HEARING FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION. (a) This
  section applies to a school district that is the subject of a
  special investigation conducted under Section 39.003 that resulted
  in a final report in which the agency recommends the appointment of
  a board of managers, alternative management of a campus, or closure
  of the district or a district campus.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), not later than 15
  days after the date on which the board of trustees of the school
  district receives the final report of a special investigation under
  Section 39.004(g), a board of trustees of a school district to which
  this section applies may request a hearing if the board of trustees
  disagrees with the final report or a sanction or intervention
  recommended by the agency in the report.
         (c)  A school district and the agency may agree in writing to
  extend the time period for requesting a hearing under Subsection
  (b) by not more than an additional 30 days.
         (d)  If a board of trustees of a school district requests a
  hearing under Subsection (b), the hearing shall be conducted by the
  State Office of Administrative Hearings unless the district and the
  agency agree in writing to the appointment of another qualified
  person to conduct the hearing.
         (e)  Except as otherwise provided by this subchapter, a
  hearing conducted under this section is a contested case under
  Chapter 2001, Government Code.
         (f)  A hearing conducted under this section shall be held at
  the administrative offices of the school district that requested
  the hearing or at another location within the geographic boundaries
  of the district agreed to by the district and the agency, unless the
  district and the agency agree in writing to a different location.
         (g)  To protect the privacy of a witness who is a child, the
  hearing examiner or the person conducting the hearing may:
               (1)  close the hearing to receive the testimony of the
  witness; or
               (2)  order that the testimony or a statement of the
  witness be presented using the procedures prescribed by Article
  38.071, Code of Criminal Procedure.
         (h)  Not later than 90 days after the date on which the school
  district requests a hearing under Subsection (b), the hearing
  examiner or the person conducting the hearing shall issue and
  submit to the commissioner findings of fact and conclusions of law.
  The hearing examiner or the person conducting the hearing may not
  issue a recommendation for relief.
         (i)  A hearing conducted under this section may not be held
  on a Saturday, Sunday, or state or federal holiday, unless agreed to
  by the school district that requested the hearing and the agency.
         Sec. 39.006.  COMMISSIONER DETERMINATION. (a) After a
  hearing is conducted under Section 39.005, the commissioner shall
  provide an opportunity for the agency and the school district to
  present oral argument to the commissioner regarding the
  disagreement that formed the basis of the hearing. The
  commissioner shall provide the agency and the district with equal
  time for oral argument.
         (b)  After hearing any oral argument presented under
  Subsection (a), the commissioner shall issue a written decision to
  the school district that contains:
               (1)  findings of fact;
               (2)  conclusions of law; and
               (3)  sanctions, interventions, or other actions
  authorized by law.
         (c)  In determining the written decision under Subsection
  (b), the commissioner shall consider:
               (1)  the record of the hearing conducted under Section
  39.005;
               (2)  the findings of fact and conclusions of law issued
  by the hearing examiner or the person conducting the hearing under
  Section 39.005(h); and
               (3)  the oral arguments presented under Subsection (a).
         (d)  The commissioner may accept, reject, or amend the
  conclusions of law issued by the hearing examiner or the person who
  conducted the hearing under Section 39.005 regarding the
  interpretation of a provision of this code.
         (e)  The commissioner may not reject or amend a finding of
  fact issued by the hearing examiner or the person who conducted the
  hearing under Section 39.005, unless the commissioner, after
  reviewing the record, determines that a finding of fact is not
  supported by substantial, admissible evidence.
         (f)  The commissioner shall provide in writing the legal
  basis and reason for any amendment or rejection of a finding of fact
  or conclusion of law made by the hearing examiner or the person who
  conducted the hearing under Section 39.005.
         Sec. 39.007.  JUDICIAL APPEAL. (a) Notwithstanding Chapter
  2001, Government Code, a school district may only appeal a decision
  made by the commissioner under Section 39.006 in accordance with
  this section.
         (b)  A school district may appeal a decision made by the
  commissioner under Section 39.006 to:
               (1)  a district court with jurisdiction in the county
  in which the school district's central administrative offices are
  located; or
               (2)  a district court in Travis County, if agreed to by
  the school district and the commissioner.
         (c)  A school district must file an appeal under this section
  not later than 30 days after the date on which the district received
  the written decision of the commissioner under Section 39.006(b).
         (d)  The filing of an appeal under this section does not
  affect or stay the enforcement of the commissioner's written
  decision issued under Section 39.006(b).
         (e)  A court hearing an appeal under this section shall
  review the decision issued by the commissioner under Section
  39.006(b) under the substantial evidence rule as provided by
  Subchapter G, Chapter 2001, Government Code, after examining:
               (1)  the evidentiary record of the hearing conducted
  under Section 39.005;
               (2)  the findings of fact issued by the hearing
  examiner or the person that conducted the hearing under Section
  39.005; and
               (3)  any amendment or rejection of a finding of fact
  made by the commissioner under Section 39.006.
         (f)  A court hearing an appeal under this section may not
  take additional evidence.
         (g)  A court hearing an appeal under this section may review
  any amendment to or rejection of a finding of fact made by the
  commissioner. If the court determines that the amendment or
  rejection was not supported by substantial evidence, the court
  shall reject the commissioner's amended finding of fact and
  consider instead the original finding issued by the hearing
  examiner or the person who conducted the hearing under Section
  39.005.
         (h)  Notwithstanding Section 2001.174, Government Code, the
  court may not reverse or remand a decision issued by the
  commissioner under Section 39.006(b) based on a procedural error or
  irregularity made by the commissioner, an agency investigator, or
  the hearing examiner or the person who conducted the hearing under
  Section 39.005, unless the court determines that the procedural
  error or irregularity is likely to have caused an erroneous
  decision by the commissioner.
         SECTION 2.06.  Section 39.054, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsections (a), (a-3), and (b-1) and adding Subsections
  (a-4) and (a-5) to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (a-4), the [The]
  commissioner shall adopt rules to evaluate school district and
  campus performance and assign each district and campus an overall
  performance rating of A, B, C, D, or F. In addition to the overall
  performance rating, the commissioner shall assign each district and
  campus a separate domain performance rating of A, B, C, D, or F for
  each domain under Section 39.053(c). An overall or domain
  performance rating of A reflects exemplary performance. An overall
  or domain performance rating of B reflects recognized performance.
  An overall or domain performance rating of C reflects acceptable
  performance. An overall or domain performance rating of D reflects
  performance that needs improvement. An overall or domain
  performance rating of F reflects unacceptable performance. A
  district may not receive an overall or domain performance rating of
  A if the district includes any campus with a corresponding overall
  or domain performance rating of D or F. If a school district has
  been approved under Section 39.0544 to assign campus performance
  ratings and the commissioner has not assigned a campus an overall
  performance rating of D or F, the commissioner shall assign the
  campus an overall performance rating based on the school district
  assigned performance rating under Section 39.0544. [A reference in
  law to an acceptable rating or acceptable performance includes an
  overall or domain performance rating of A, B, C, or D or performance
  that is exemplary, recognized, or acceptable performance or
  performance that needs improvement.]
         (a-3)  Not later than August 15 of each year, the following
  information [performance ratings of each district and campus] shall
  be made publicly available as provided by rules adopted under this
  section:
               (1)  the performance ratings for each school district
  and campus; and
               (2)  if applicable, the number of consecutive school
  years of unacceptable performance ratings for each district and
  campus.
         (a-4)  Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner may
  assign a school district or campus an overall performance rating of
  "Not Rated" if the commissioner determines that the assignment of a
  performance rating of A, B, C, D, or F would be inappropriate
  because: 
               (1)  the district or campus is located in an area that
  is subject to a declaration of a state of disaster under Chapter
  418, Government Code, and due to the disaster, performance
  indicators for the district or campus are difficult to measure or
  evaluate and would not accurately reflect quality of learning and
  achievement for the district or campus;
               (2)  the district or campus has experienced breaches or
  other failures in data integrity to the extent that accurate
  analysis of data regarding performance indicators is not possible;
               (3)  the number of students enrolled in the district or
  campus is insufficient to accurately evaluate the performance of
  the district or campus; or
               (4)  for other reasons outside the control of the
  district or campus, the performance indicators would not accurately
  reflect quality of learning and achievement for the district or
  campus.
         (a-5)  Notwithstanding any other law, an overall performance
  rating of "Not Rated" is not included in calculating consecutive
  school years of unacceptable performance ratings and is not
  considered a break in consecutive school years of unacceptable
  performance ratings for purposes of any provision of this code.
         (b-1)  Consideration of the effectiveness of district
  programs under Section 39.052(b)(2)(B) or (C):
               (1)  must:
                     (A)  be based on data collected through the Public
  Education Information Management System (PEIMS) for purposes of
  accountability under this chapter; and
                     (B)  include the results of assessments required
  under Section 39.023; and
               (2)  may be based on the results of a special
  [accreditation] investigation conducted under Section 39.003 
  [39.057].
         SECTION 2.07.  Subchapter C, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 39.0543 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.0543.  PERFORMANCE RATING REQUIRING INTERVENTION OR
  OTHER ACTION. (a) A reference in law to an acceptable performance
  rating or acceptable performance includes an overall or domain
  performance rating of A, B, or C or performance that is exemplary,
  recognized, or acceptable. A reference in law to an unacceptable
  performance rating or unacceptable performance includes an overall
  or domain performance rating of F. For the purposes of public
  reporting requirements, an overall or domain performance rating of
  D shall be referred to as performance that needs improvement.
         (b)  A reference in law to an acceptable performance rating
  or acceptable performance for a school district, open-enrollment
  charter school, district campus, or charter school campus includes
  an overall performance rating of D if, since previously receiving
  an overall performance rating of C or higher, the district, charter
  school, district campus, or charter school campus:
               (1)  has not previously received more than one overall
  performance rating of D; or
               (2)  has not received an overall performance rating of
  F.
         (b-1)  For the purposes of this section, an overall
  performance rating issued in a previous school year for a school
  district, open-enrollment charter school, district campus, or
  charter school campus of:
               (1)  met standard, academically acceptable,
  recognized, exemplary, A, B, or C is considered to be a performance
  rating of C or higher; and
               (2)  performance that needs improvement, academically
  unacceptable, or F is considered to be a rating of F.
         (b-2)  For purposes of determining whether a reference in law
  to an acceptable performance rating or acceptable performance
  includes an overall performance rating of D under Subsection (b), a
  performance rating of D assigned to a school district,
  open-enrollment charter school, district campus, or charter school
  campus prior to the 2018-2019 school year shall not be considered.
         (b-3)  Subsections (b-1) and (b-2) and this subsection
  expire September 1, 2027.
         (c)  A reference in law to an unacceptable performance rating
  or unacceptable performance includes a performance rating of D if
  the rating does not satisfy Subsection (b).
         (d)  For purposes of Subsection (b), a school district,
  open-enrollment charter school, district campus, or charter school
  campus that has never received an overall performance rating shall
  be considered to have previously received an overall performance
  rating of C or higher.
         SECTION 2.08.  Subchapter C, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 39.0545 and 39.0546 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.0545.  ALTERNATIVE METHODS AND STANDARDS FOR
  EVALUATING PERFORMANCE FOR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR.  (a)  This
  section applies to a campus:
               (1)  that meets the participation requirements for all
  students in all subject areas for the annual measurement of
  achievement under Section 1111, Every Student Succeeds Act (20
  U.S.C. Section 6311(c)(4)(E)); and
               (2)  to which the most recent performance rating
  assigned, other than a "Not Rated" rating, is a D, F, or performance
  that needs improvement.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner shall
  adopt rules to develop and implement alternative methods and
  standards for evaluating the performance for the 2020-2021 school
  year of a campus to which this section applies.  The rules adopted
  under this section must evaluate a campus under the domains of
  indicators of achievement listed in Sections 39.053(c)(1) and (2). 
         (c)  The commissioner shall review a campus to which this
  section applies under the alternative methods and standards adopted
  under Subsection (b) on the request of the school district in which
  the campus is located made by the deadline established by
  commissioner rule.
         (d)  An acceptable performance rating assigned under the
  alternative methods and standards adopted by the commissioner under
  Subsection (b) is considered a break in consecutive school years of
  unacceptable performance ratings under this code.
         (e)  If the commissioner determines that the campus would not
  be assigned an acceptable performance rating, the commissioner
  shall instead assign the campus a rating of "Not Rated."
         (f)  This section does not apply to an intervention ordered
  on the basis of consecutive school years of unacceptable
  performance ratings accrued before the effective date of this
  section.
         (g)  This section expires September 1, 2027.
         Sec. 39.0546.  COVID-19 RECOVERY ACCOUNTABILITY FOR
  2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the
  commissioner shall assign to a school district or campus a rating of
  "Not Rated" for the 2021-2022 school year, unless, after reviewing
  the district or campus under the methods and standards adopted
  under Section 39.054, the commissioner determines the district or
  campus should be assigned an overall performance rating of C or
  higher.
         (b)  Regardless of the rating assigned under this section, if
  the commissioner would have otherwise assigned a campus an
  unacceptable performance rating, the campus is considered to be a
  campus assigned an unacceptable performance rating for purposes of
  determining a student's eligibility for a public education grant
  under Section 29.202.
         (c)  Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner shall
  take an action described by Section 39A.111(1) or (2) if a campus:
               (1)  is not assigned an overall performance rating of C
  or higher for the 2021-2022 school year; and
               (2)  has been assigned an unacceptable performance
  rating for five or more school years prior to the 2021-2022 school
  year.
         (d)  This section expires September 1, 2028.
         SECTION 2.09.  Sections 39.151(a), (b), and (e), Education
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commissioner by rule shall provide a process for a
  school district or open-enrollment charter school to challenge an
  agency decision made under this chapter relating to an academic or
  financial accountability rating that affects the district or
  school, including a determination of consecutive school years of
  unacceptable performance ratings.
         (b)  The rules under Subsection (a) must provide for the
  commissioner to appoint a committee to make recommendations to the
  commissioner on a challenge made to an agency decision relating to
  an academic performance rating or determination, including a
  determination of consecutive school years of unacceptable
  performance ratings, or financial accountability rating.  The
  commissioner may not appoint an agency employee as a member of the
  committee.
         (e)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
  not challenge an agency decision relating to an academic or
  financial accountability rating under this chapter, including a
  decision relating to a determination of consecutive school years of
  unacceptable performance ratings, in another proceeding if the
  district or school has had an opportunity to challenge the decision
  under this section.
         SECTION 2.10.  Section 39A.003, Education Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
         (d)  A conservator or management team may exercise the powers
  and duties defined by the commissioner under Subsection (a) or
  described by Subsection (c) regardless of whether the conservator
  or management team was appointed to oversee the operations of a
  school district in its entirety or the operations of a certain
  campus within the district.
         SECTION 2.11.  Section 39A.004, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 39A.004.  APPOINTMENT OF BOARD OF MANAGERS. The
  commissioner may appoint a board of managers to exercise the powers
  and duties of a school district's board of trustees if the district
  is subject to commissioner action under:
               (1)  Section 39A.001(1) [39A.001] and:
                     (A) [(1)]  has a current accreditation status of
  accredited-warned or accredited-probation;
                     (B) [(2)]  fails to satisfy any standard under
  Section 39.054(e); or
                     (C) [(3)]  fails to satisfy financial
  accountability standards as determined by commissioner rule; or
               (2)  Section 39A.001(2).
         SECTION 2.12.  Sections 39A.006(a) and (b), Education Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies:
               (1)  regardless of whether a school district has
  satisfied the accreditation criteria; and
               (2)  to a conservator or management team appointed
  under any provision of this title, regardless of the scope or any
  changes to the scope of the conservator's or team's oversight.
         (b)  If for two consecutive school years, including the
  current school year, a school district has had a conservator or
  management team assigned to the district or a district campus for
  any reason under this title, the commissioner may appoint a board of
  managers to exercise the powers and duties of the board of trustees
  of the district.
         SECTION 2.13.  Section 39A.061(b), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The commissioner may authorize a targeted improvement
  plan, [or] an updated targeted improvement plan, or a local
  improvement plan to supersede the provisions of and satisfy the
  requirements of developing, reviewing, and revising a campus
  improvement plan under Subchapter F, Chapter 11.
         SECTION 2.14.  Subchapter B, Chapter 39A, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 39A.065 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39A.065.  LOCAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. (a) A school
  district, open-enrollment charter school, district campus, or
  charter school campus that is assigned a rating of D that qualifies
  under Section 39.0543(b) shall develop and implement a local
  improvement plan.
         (b)  A local improvement plan must be presented to the board
  of trustees of the school district or governing board of the
  open-enrollment charter school.
         (c)  The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish
  requirements for a local improvement plan components and training.
  The commissioner may not require a school district or
  open-enrollment charter school to submit the local improvement plan
  to the agency.
         SECTION 2.15.  Section 39A.102, Education Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  Subject to Subsection (b-1), the [The] commissioner may
  appoint a monitor, conservator, management team, or board of
  managers to the school district to ensure and oversee
  district-level support to low-performing campuses and the
  implementation of the updated targeted improvement plan.
         (b-1)  The commissioner shall appoint a conservator to a
  school district under Subsection (b) unless and until:
               (1)  each campus in the district for which a campus
  turnaround plan has been ordered under Section 39A.101 receives an
  acceptable performance rating for the school year; or
               (2)  the commissioner determines a conservator is not
  necessary.
         SECTION 2.16.  The heading to Section 39A.110, Education
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 39A.110.  MODIFICATION OF [CHANGE IN] CAMPUS TURNAROUND
  PLAN [PERFORMANCE RATING].
         SECTION 2.17.  Section 39A.110, Education Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  The commissioner may authorize modification of an
  approved campus turnaround plan if the commissioner determines that
  due to a change in circumstances occurring after the plan's
  approval under Section 39A.107, a modification of the plan is
  necessary to achieve the plan's objectives.
         SECTION 2.18.  Section 39A.111, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 39A.111.  CONTINUED UNACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE RATING.
  If a campus is considered to have an unacceptable performance
  rating for five [three] consecutive school years [after the campus
  is ordered to submit a campus turnaround plan under Section
  39A.101], the commissioner, subject to Section 39A.112, shall
  order:
               (1)  appointment of a board of managers to govern the
  school district as provided by Section 39A.202; or
               (2)  closure of the campus.
         SECTION 2.19.  Subchapter C, Chapter 39A, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 39A.117 and 39A.118 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39A.117.  INTERVENTION FOR CERTAIN DISTRICTS OR
  CAMPUSES. (a)  For purposes of this section:
               (1)  an acceptable performance rating includes:
                     (A)  a rating of met standard, academically
  acceptable, recognized, exemplary, A, B, or C; or
                     (B)  a rating of D that meets the requirements of
  Section 39.0543(b);
               (2)  an unacceptable performance rating includes:
                     (A)  a rating of performance that needs
  improvement, academically unacceptable, or F; or
                     (B)  a rating of D that meets the requirements of
  Section 39.0543(c); and
               (3)  a rating of "Not Rated" is not considered an
  acceptable or unacceptable performance rating and may not be
  considered a break in consecutive years of unacceptable
  performance.
         (b)  As soon as practicable after the effective date of S.B.
  1365, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, or similar
  legislation, the commissioner shall:
               (1)  determine the number of school years of
  unacceptable performance ratings occurring after the 2012-2013
  school year for each school district, open-enrollment charter
  school, district campus, or charter school campus by determining
  the number of unacceptable performance ratings assigned to each
  district, charter school, district campus, or charter school
  campus since the most recent acceptable performance rating was
  assigned to the district, charter school, district campus, or
  charter school campus; and
               (2)  use the number of school years of unacceptable
  performance ratings as the base number of consecutive years of
  unacceptable performance for which the performance rating in the
  2021-2022 school year will be added.
         (c)  Exemptions from interventions authorized under Sections
  11.174 and 28.020 and Section 5, Chapter 919 (H.B. 4205), Acts of
  the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, apply to an
  intervention ordered under this section and the commissioner shall
  make necessary modifications to an intervention ordered under this
  section in accordance with those provisions of law.
         (d)  This section may not be construed to:
               (1)  provide a school district or open-enrollment
  charter school additional remedies or appellate or other review for
  previous interventions, sanctions, or performance ratings ordered
  or assigned; or
               (2)  prohibit the commissioner from taking any action
  or ordering any intervention or sanction otherwise authorized by
  law.
         (e)  To the extent of a conflict with any other transition
  provision affecting this section, this transition provision
  prevails.
         (f)  This section expires September 1, 2027.
         Sec. 39A.118.  INTERVENTION IF ASSIGNED CERTAIN PERFORMANCE
  NEEDS IMPROVEMENT RATING. (a) Until another performance rating is
  issued, the agency may not implement the intervention or sanctions
  listed under Subsection (b) for a school district, open-enrollment
  charter school, district campus, or charter school campus, if the
  performance rating initiating the action under Subsection (b) is
  based on the first or second overall performance rating of D, since
  previously receiving a rating of C or higher.
         (a-1)  For purposes of this section, a performance rating of
  D assigned prior to the 2018-2019 school year shall not be
  considered. This subsection expires September 1, 2027.
         (b)  The following interventions or sanctions are subject to
  a pause under Subsection (a):
               (1)  revocation of a charter under Section 12.115(c);
               (2)  annexation under Section 13.054;
               (3)  change in accreditation status under rules adopted
  for accreditation under Section 39.052; and
               (4)  interventions or sanctions under Section
  39A.101(a), 39A.107(a) or (c), or 39A.111.
         (c)  The performance rating identified under Subsection (a):
               (1)  may not be included in calculating consecutive
  school years of unacceptable performance ratings; and
               (2)  is not considered a break in consecutive school
  years of unacceptable performance ratings.
         (d)  Interventions or sanctions implemented prior to a pause
  under Subsection (a) shall continue during a school year for which
  interventions or sanctions listed under Subsection (b) are paused.
         (e)  This section does not apply to a commissioner action
  based on performance or reasons not listed as interventions or
  sanctions under Subsection (b).
         (f)  For purposes of Subsection (a), a school district,
  open-enrollment charter school, district campus, or charter school
  campus that has never previously been assigned an overall
  performance rating shall be considered to have previously received
  an overall performance rating of C or higher.
         SECTION 2.20.  Section 39A.201(a), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Notwithstanding Section 11.151(b) or 11.1511(a) or any
  other provision of this code, a [A] board of managers may exercise
  all of the powers and duties assigned to a board of trustees of a
  school district by law, rule, or regulation.
         SECTION 2.21.  Section 39A.202(a), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Notwithstanding Section 11.151(b) or 11.1511(a) or any
  other provision of this code, if [If] the commissioner appoints a
  board of managers to govern a school district:
               (1)  the powers of the board of trustees of the district
  are suspended for the period of the appointment; and
               (2)  the commissioner shall appoint a district
  superintendent.
         SECTION 2.22.  Section 39A.301(a), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school
  must appeal under this section if the district or charter school 
  [that] intends to challenge a decision by the commissioner under
  this chapter to:
               (1)  close the district or a district campus or the
  charter school;
               (2)  [or to] pursue alternative management of a
  district campus or the charter school;
               (3)  appoint a board of managers to the district or
  charter school; or
               (4)  appoint a conservator or management team to the
  district or charter school [must appeal the decision under this
  section].
         SECTION 2.23.  Section 39A.116, Education Code, is
  transferred to Subchapter Z, Chapter 39A, Education Code,
  redesignated as Section 39A.906, Education Code, and amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 39A.906 [39A.116].  COMMISSIONER AUTHORITY. A
  decision by the commissioner under Chapter 39 or this chapter
  [subchapter] is final and may not be appealed unless an applicable
  provision of Chapter 39 or this chapter provides otherwise.
         SECTION 2.24.  Section 39A.0545, Education Code, is
  repealed.
         SECTION 2.25.  (a)  Sections 39.003 and 39.004, Education
  Code, as redesignated and amended by this Act, and Sections 39.005,
  39.006, and 39.007, Education Code, as added by this Act, apply to a
  special investigation authorized, initiated, opened, or finalized
  on or after the effective date of this Act.  A special investigation
  authorized or initiated by the Texas Education Agency under Section
  39.057, Education Code, before the effective date of this Act that
  is open and not finalized on the effective date of this Act, shall
  be continued as if authorized by Section 39.003, Education Code, as
  redesignated and amended by this Act, and proceed subject to
  Section 39.004, Education Code, as redesignated and amended by this
  Act, and Sections 39.005, 39.006, and 39.007, Education Code, as
  added by this Act.
         (b)  Section 39A.006, Education Code, as amended by this Act,
  applies to a conservator or management team assigned to a school
  district before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 2.26.  If this Act takes effect later than August 15,
  2021, the Texas Education Agency shall publish the consecutive
  school years of unacceptable performance ratings as required by
  Section 39.054(a-3), Education Code, as amended by this Act, for
  each school district and campus as soon as practicable after the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 2.27.  As soon as practicable after the effective
  date of this Act, the commissioner of education shall adopt rules to
  develop and implement alternative methods and standards for
  evaluating the performance of a campus for the 2020-2021 school
  year as required by Section 39.0545, Education Code, as added by
  this Act.
  ARTICLE 3. PUBLIC SCHOOL FISCAL MANAGEMENT
         SECTION 3.01.  Section 44.052(c), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  A trustee of a school district who votes to approve any
  expenditure of school funds in violation of a provision of this
  code, for a purpose for which those funds may not be spent, or in
  excess of the item or items appropriated in the adopted budget or a
  supplementary or amended budget commits an offense.  An offense
  under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor.
         SECTION 3.02.  Section 45.105, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (c-1) to read as
  follows:
         (c)  Local school funds from district taxes, tuition fees of
  students not entitled to a free education, other local sources, and
  state funds not designated for a specific purpose may be used for
  the purposes listed for state and county available funds and for
  purchasing appliances and supplies, paying insurance premiums,
  paying janitors and other employees, buying school sites, buying,
  building, repairing, and renting school buildings, including
  acquiring school buildings and sites by leasing through annual
  payments with an ultimate option to purchase, and, except as
  provided by Subsection (c-1), for other purposes necessary in the
  conduct of the public schools determined by the board of trustees.
  The accounts and vouchers for county districts must be approved by
  the county superintendent.  If the state available school fund in
  any municipality or district is sufficient to maintain the schools
  in any year for at least eight months and leave a surplus, the
  surplus may be spent for the purposes listed in this subsection.
         (c-1)  Funds described by Subsection (c) may not be used to
  initiate or maintain any action or proceeding against the state or
  an agency or officer of the state arising out of a decision, order,
  or determination that is final and unappealable under a provision
  of this code, except that funds may be used for an action or
  proceeding that is specifically authorized by a provision of this
  code or a rule adopted under this code and that results in a final
  and unappealable decision, order, or determination.
         SECTION 3.03.  Section 48.201, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 48.201.  PURPOSE. The purpose of the tier two component
  of the Foundation School Program is to provide each school district
  with the opportunity to provide the basic program and to supplement
  that program at a level of its own choice.  An allotment under this
  subchapter may be used for any legal purpose other than:
               (1)  capital outlay or debt service; or
               (2)  a purpose prohibited by Section 45.105(c-1) or
  another provision of this code.
         SECTION 3.04.  Section 39A.203, Education Code, is repealed.
         SECTION 3.05.  Section 44.052(c), Education Code, as amended
  by this Act, applies only to an offense committed on or after the
  effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the
  offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for
  that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was
  committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of
  the offense occurred before that date.
  ARTICLE 4.  CONFORMING AMENDMENTS
         SECTION 4.01.  Section 7.028(a), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Section 21.006(k), 22.093(l),
  22.096, 28.006, 29.001(5), 29.010(a), 38.003, or 39.003 [39.057],
  the agency may monitor compliance with requirements applicable to a
  process or program provided by a school district, campus, program,
  or school granted charters under Chapter 12, including the process
  described by Subchapter F, Chapter 11, or a program described by
  Subchapter B, C, D, E, F, H, or I, Chapter 29, or Subchapter A,
  Chapter 37, only as necessary to ensure:
               (1)  compliance with federal law and regulations;
               (2)  financial accountability, including compliance
  with grant requirements;
               (3)  data integrity for purposes of:
                     (A)  the Public Education Information Management
  System (PEIMS); and
                     (B)  accountability under Chapters 39 and 39A; and
               (4)  qualification for funding under Chapter 48.
         SECTION 4.02.  Section 12.013(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  A home-rule school district is subject to:
               (1)  a provision of this title establishing a criminal
  offense;
               (2)  a provision of this title relating to limitations
  on liability; and
               (3)  a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as
  applicable, imposed by this title or a rule adopted under this
  title, relating to:
                     (A)  the Public Education Information Management
  System (PEIMS) to the extent necessary to monitor compliance with
  this subchapter as determined by the commissioner;
                     (B)  educator certification under Chapter 21 and
  educator rights under Sections 21.407, 21.408, and 22.001;
                     (C)  criminal history records under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 22;
                     (D)  student admissions under Section 25.001;
                     (E)  school attendance under Sections 25.085,
  25.086, and 25.087;
                     (F)  inter-district or inter-county transfers of
  students under Subchapter B, Chapter 25;
                     (G)  elementary class size limits under Section
  25.112, in the case of any campus in the district that fails to
  satisfy any standard under Section 39.054(e);
                     (H)  high school graduation under Section 28.025;
                     (I)  special education programs under Subchapter
  A, Chapter 29;
                     (J)  bilingual education under Subchapter B,
  Chapter 29;
                     (K)  prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E,
  Chapter 29;
                     (L)  safety provisions relating to the
  transportation of students under Sections 34.002, 34.003, 34.004,
  and 34.008;
                     (M)  computation and distribution of state aid
  under Chapters 31, 43, and 48;
                     (N)  extracurricular activities under Section
  33.081;
                     (O)  health and safety under Chapter 38;
                     (P)  the provisions of Subchapter A, Chapter 39;
                     (Q)  public school accountability and special
  investigations under Subchapters A, B, C, D, and J, Chapter 39, and
  Chapter 39A;
                     (R) [(Q)]  options for local revenue levels in
  excess of entitlement under Chapter 49;
                     (S) [(R)]  a bond or other obligation or tax rate
  under Chapters 43, 45, and 48; and
                     (T) [(S)]  purchasing under Chapter 44.
         SECTION 4.03.  Section 12.056(b), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  A campus or program for which a charter is granted under
  this subchapter is subject to:
               (1)  a provision of this title establishing a criminal
  offense; and
               (2)  a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as
  applicable, imposed by this title or a rule adopted under this
  title, relating to:
                     (A)  the Public Education Information Management
  System (PEIMS) to the extent necessary to monitor compliance with
  this subchapter as determined by the commissioner;
                     (B)  criminal history records under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 22;
                     (C)  high school graduation under Section 28.025;
                     (D)  special education programs under Subchapter
  A, Chapter 29;
                     (E)  bilingual education under Subchapter B,
  Chapter 29;
                     (F)  prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E,
  Chapter 29;
                     (G)  extracurricular activities under Section
  33.081;
                     (H)  health and safety under Chapter 38;
                     (I)  the provisions of Subchapter A, Chapter 39;
                     (J)  public school accountability and special
  investigations under Subchapters A, B, C, D, F, and J, Chapter 39,
  and Chapter 39A; and
                     (K) [(J)]  the duty to discharge or refuse to hire
  certain employees or applicants for employment under Section
  12.1059.
         SECTION 4.04.  Section 12.104(b), Education Code, as amended
  by Chapters 262 (H.B. 1597), 464 (S.B. 11), 467 (H.B. 4170), and 943
  (H.B. 3), Acts of the 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, is
  reenacted and amended to read as follows:
         (b)  An open-enrollment charter school is subject to:
               (1)  a provision of this title establishing a criminal
  offense;
               (2)  the provisions in Chapter 554, Government Code;
  and
               (3)  a prohibition, restriction, or requirement, as
  applicable, imposed by this title or a rule adopted under this
  title, relating to:
                     (A)  the Public Education Information Management
  System (PEIMS) to the extent necessary to monitor compliance with
  this subchapter as determined by the commissioner;
                     (B)  criminal history records under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 22;
                     (C)  reading instruments and accelerated reading
  instruction programs under Section 28.006;
                     (D)  accelerated instruction under Section
  28.0211;
                     (E)  high school graduation requirements under
  Section 28.025;
                     (F)  special education programs under Subchapter
  A, Chapter 29;
                     (G)  bilingual education under Subchapter B,
  Chapter 29;
                     (H)  prekindergarten programs under Subchapter E
  or E-1, Chapter 29;
                     (I)  extracurricular activities under Section
  33.081;
                     (J)  discipline management practices or behavior
  management techniques under Section 37.0021;
                     (K)  health and safety under Chapter 38;
                     (L)  the provisions of Subchapter A, Chapter 39;
                     (M)  public school accountability and special
  investigations under Subchapters A, B, C, D, F, G, and J, Chapter
  39, and Chapter 39A;
                     (N) [(M)]  the requirement under Section 21.006
  to report an educator's misconduct;
                     (O) [(N)]  intensive programs of instruction
  under Section 28.0213;
                     (P) [(O)]  the right of a school employee to
  report a crime, as provided by Section 37.148;
                     (Q) [(P)]  bullying prevention policies and
  procedures under Section 37.0832;
                     (R) [(Q)]  the right of a school under Section
  37.0052 to place a student who has engaged in certain bullying
  behavior in a disciplinary alternative education program or to
  expel the student;
                     (S) [(R)]  the right under Section 37.0151 to
  report to local law enforcement certain conduct constituting
  assault or harassment;
                     (T) [(S)]  a parent's right to information
  regarding the provision of assistance for learning difficulties to
  the parent's child as provided by Sections 26.004(b)(11) and
  26.0081(c) and (d);
                     (U) [(T)]  establishment of residency under
  Section 25.001;
                     (V) [(T)]  school safety requirements under
  Sections 37.108, 37.1081, 37.1082, 37.109, 37.113, 37.114, 37.115,
  37.207, and 37.2071;
                     (W) [(T)]  the early childhood literacy and
  mathematics proficiency plans under Section 11.185; and
                     (X) [(U)]  the college, career, and military
  readiness plans under Section 11.186.
         SECTION 4.05.  Section 12.1162(a), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commissioner shall take any of the actions described
  by Subsection (b) or by Section 39A.001, 39A.002, 39A.004, 39A.005,
  or 39A.007, to the extent the commissioner determines necessary, if
  an open-enrollment charter school, as determined by a report issued
  under Section 39.004(b) [39.058(b)]:
               (1)  commits a material violation of the school's
  charter;
               (2)  fails to satisfy generally accepted accounting
  standards of fiscal management; or
               (3)  fails to comply with this subchapter or another
  applicable rule or law.
         SECTION 4.06.  Section 39.0302(a), Education Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  During an agency investigation or audit of a school
  district under Section 39.0301(e) or (f), a special [an
  accreditation] investigation under Section 39.003(a)(8)
  [39.057(a)(8)] or (14), a compliance review under Section
  21.006(k), 22.093(l), or 22.096, or an investigation by the State
  Board for Educator Certification of an educator for an alleged
  violation of an assessment instrument security procedure
  established under Section 39.0301(a), the commissioner may issue a
  subpoena to compel the attendance of a relevant witness or the
  production, for inspection or copying, of relevant evidence that is
  located in this state.
         SECTION 4.07.  Section 39.056(h), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (h)  The commissioner may at any time convert a monitoring
  review to a special [accreditation] investigation under Section
  39.003 [39.057], provided the commissioner promptly notifies the
  school district of the conversion.
         SECTION 4.08.  Section 39A.001, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 39A.001.  GROUNDS FOR COMMISSIONER ACTION. The
  commissioner shall take any of the actions authorized by this
  subchapter to the extent the commissioner determines necessary if:
               (1)  a school district does not satisfy:
                     (A)  the accreditation criteria under Section
  39.052;
                     (B)  the academic performance standards under
  Section 39.053 or 39.054; or
                     (C)  any financial accountability standard as
  determined by commissioner rule; or
               (2)  the commissioner considers the action to be
  appropriate on the basis of a special [accreditation] investigation
  under Section 39.003 [39.057].
         SECTION 4.09.  Sections 39A.256(a) and (b), Education Code,
  are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A board of managers appointed for an open-enrollment
  charter school [or a campus of an open-enrollment charter school]
  under this chapter or Chapter 12 has the powers and duties
  prescribed by Section 39A.201(b), if applicable, and Sections
  39A.201(a), 39A.202, [39A.203,] and 39A.206(b).
         (b)  Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the
  board of managers for an open-enrollment charter school [or a
  campus of an open-enrollment charter school] may not serve for a
  period that exceeds the period authorized by law for a board of
  managers appointed for a school district.  A board of managers
  appointed to wind up the affairs of a former open-enrollment
  charter school or campus serves until dissolved by the
  commissioner.
         SECTION 4.10.  To the extent of any conflict, this article
  prevails over another Act of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session,
  2021, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in
  enacted codes.
  ARTICLE 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 5.01.  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 September 1, 2021.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1365 passed the Senate on
  May 5, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11; and that the
  Senate concurred in House amendment on May 29, 2021, by the
  following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 11.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1365 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 26, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 111,
  Nays 34, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor