By: Bettencourt, et al. S.B. No. 1365
 
  (Huberty, Dutton, King of Hemphill, Murphy, Oliverson)
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
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.  FINAL AND UNAPPEALABLE. In this title, if an
  order, decision, or determination is described as final and
  unappealable, an interlocutory or intermediate order, decision, or
  determination made or reached before the final order, decision, or
  determination may be appealed only if 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.  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 any [appropriate] action under Chapter 39A,
  regardless of any requirements applicable to the action that are
  provided by that chapter;
               (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).
         (g)  Section 39A.301 applies to an action taken under
  Subsection (d)(1) in the same manner as that section applies to an
  action taken under Chapter 39A [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)  If the agency determines that it is necessary to
  protect the welfare of the witness, the agency may classify the
  identity of a witness as confidential and not subject to disclosure
  to the district or under Chapter 552, Government Code.
         (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 the commissioner's designee [a designated hearing
  examiner].
         (c)  An informal review under this section is not a contested
  case for purposes of Chapter 2001, Government Code.
         SECTION 2.04.  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, except as
  provided by Section 39.0543, or performance that is exemplary,
  recognized, or acceptable performance or performance that needs
  improvement, except as provided by Section 39.0543. A reference in
  law to an unacceptable performance rating includes an overall or
  domain performance rating of F and, as provided by Section 39.0543,
  D 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 of 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 2.05.  Subchapter C, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 39.0543 to read as follows:
         Sec. 39.0543.  NEEDS IMPROVEMENT OR UNACCEPTABLE
  PERFORMANCE RATING. (a) A reference in law to an acceptable
  performance or acceptable performance rating 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.
         (a-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)  improvement required, academically unacceptable,
  or F is considered to be a rating of F.
         (a-2)  Subsection (a-1) and this subsection expire September
  1, 2027.
         (b)  A reference in law to an unacceptable performance or
  unacceptable performance rating includes a performance rating of D
  if the rating does not satisfy Subsection (a).
         SECTION 2.06.  Subchapter C, Chapter 39, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 39.0545 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)); 
               (2)  to which the most recent performance rating
  assigned, other than a "Not Rated" rating, is a D, F, or performance
  that needs improvement; and
               (3)  is not subject to the appointment of a board of
  managers under Section 39A.117(b).
         (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)  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.
         (f)  This section expires September 1, 2027.
         SECTION 2.07.  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 2.08.  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 2.09.  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 2.10.  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 2.11.  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(a) 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 2.12.  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 2.13.  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 2.14.  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 2.15.  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 2.16.  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(a);
               (2)  an unacceptable performance rating includes:
                     (A)  a rating of improvement required,
  academically unacceptable, or F; or
                     (B)  a rating of D that meets the requirements of
  Section 39.0543(b); 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, Acts of the 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;
               (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; and
               (3)  order the appointment of a board of managers under
  Section 39A.111 to the school district or charter school for each
  campus that is determined under Subdivision (1) to have been
  assigned an unacceptable performance rating for five or more school
  years.
         (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 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
  as provided by 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.
         (b)  The following interventions 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 an unacceptable performance rating; and
               (2)  is not considered a break in consecutive school
  years of an unacceptable performance rating.
         (d)  Interventions or sanctions implemented prior to the
  intervention pause under Subsection (a) shall continue during the
  school year for which actions under Subsection (b) are paused.
         (e)  This section does not apply to a commissioner action
  based on performance or reasons not listed as interventions under
  Subsection (b).
         SECTION 2.17.  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 2.18.  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 2.19.  Section 39A.301, Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 39A.301.  REVIEW OF SANCTIONS BY STATE OFFICE OF
  ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS. (a)  A school district or
  open-enrollment charter school must appeal under this section if
  the district or school [that] intends to challenge a decision by the
  commissioner under Section 39.003 or 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; or
               (3)  appoint a board of managers to the district or
  school under Section 39A.202 [must appeal the decision under this
  section].
         (b)  A challenge under this section to a decision by the
  commissioner described by Subsection (a) is subject to review by
  the State Office of Administrative Hearings.  Notwithstanding
  [under this section is under the substantial evidence rule as
  provided by Subchapter G,] Chapter 2001, Government Code:
               (1)  the[.  The] commissioner shall adopt procedural
  rules for a challenge under this section;
               (2)  [.
         [(c)  Notwithstanding other law:
               [(1)] the State Office of Administrative Hearings shall
  conduct an expedited review of a challenge under this section;
               (3)  the administrative law judge shall uphold a
  decision by the commissioner described by Subsection (a) unless the
  judge finds the decision is arbitrary and capricious or clearly
  erroneous;
               (4)  in reviewing any discretionary decisions made by
  the commissioner, the administrative law judge may not substitute
  the judge's judgment for that of the commissioner;
               (5) [(2)]  the administrative law judge shall issue a
  final order not later than the 30th day after the date on which the
  hearing is finally closed;
               (6) [(3)]  the decision of the administrative law judge
  is final and may not be appealed; and
               (7) [(4)]  the decision of the administrative law judge
  may set an effective date for an action under this section.
         SECTION 2.20.  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, except as provided by
  Section 39A.301.
         SECTION 2.21.  Section 39A.0545, Education Code, is
  repealed.
         SECTION 2.22.  (a)  Sections 39.003 and 39.004, Education
  Code, as redesignated and amended by this Act, apply to a special
  investigation authorized or initiated before, on, or after the
  effective date of 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 2.23.  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 2.24.  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)  public school accountability and special
  investigations under Subchapters A, B, C, D, and J, Chapter 39, and
  Chapter 39A;
                     (Q)  options for local revenue levels in excess of
  entitlement under Chapter 49;
                     (R)  a bond or other obligation or tax rate under
  Chapters 43, 45, and 48; and
                     (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)  public school accountability and special
  investigations under Subchapters A, B, C, D, F, and J, Chapter 39,
  and Chapter 39A; and
                     (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)  public school accountability and special
  investigations under Subchapters A, B, C, D, F, G, and J, Chapter
  39, and Chapter 39A;
                     (M)  the requirement under Section 21.006 to
  report an educator's misconduct;
                     (N)  intensive programs of instruction under
  Section 28.0213;
                     (O)  the right of a school employee to report a
  crime, as provided by Section 37.148;
                     (P)  bullying prevention policies and procedures
  under Section 37.0832;
                     (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;
                     (R)  the right under Section 37.0151 to report to
  local law enforcement certain conduct constituting assault or
  harassment;
                     (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);
                     (T)  establishment of residency under Section
  25.001;
                     (U) [(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;
                     (V) [(T)]  the early childhood literacy and
  mathematics proficiency plans under Section 11.185; and
                     (W) [(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.