BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 2285
88R19563 DIO-F	By: Noble (Paxton)
	Education
	5/17/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Due to the costly nature of holding an election, an independent school district may wish to change the terms of office for its board of trustees to align with other local or state elections. This change may be helpful in districts located in suburban counties that have experienced a lot of growth in the past few years, but current law does not provide for such a change without state approval. 

H.B. 2285 would authorize the board of trustees of certain independent school districts to adopt a resolution to change the terms of office for trustees on the district board. 

H.B. 2285 amends current law relating to the authority of certain independent school districts to change the terms for members of the districts' board of trustees.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 11.059, Education Code, by adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g), as follows:

(e) Authorizes the board of trustees, not later than December 31, 2023, to adopt a resolution changing the length of the terms of its trustees. Requires that the resolution provide for staggered terms of either three or four years and specify the manner in which the transition from the length of the former term to the modified term is made. Requires that the transition begin with the first regular election for trustees that occurs after the board adopts the resolution, and requires a trustee who serves on the date the resolution is adopted to serve the remainder of that term.

(f) Authorizes a resolution under Subsection (e) to only be adopted by a board of trustees of an independent school district:

(1) with a central administrative office located in a county with a population of more than 1 million but less than 1.25 million; and

(2) in which a municipality with a population of 4,500 or less is located.

(g) Provides that Subsections (e) and (f) and this subsection expire January 1, 2029.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.