BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 117
89R21576 MM-D	By: Schoolcraft (Campbell)
	Economic Development
	5/24/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

H.B. 117 amends current law relating to the establishment of the governor's task force on the governance of early childhood education and care.

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 Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, by adding Chapter 455, as follows:

CHAPTER 455. GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON GOVERNANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE

Sec. 455.001. DEFINITION. Defines "task force."

Sec. 455.002. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) Provides that the governor's task force on the governance of early childhood education and care (task force) is established to address the governance and operational challenges of the early childhood education system in this state.

(b) Provides that the task force is administratively attached to the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Sec. 455.003. MEMBERS. (a) Requires the task force to include a steering committee composed of certain members.

(b) Provides that the task force is composed of certain members.

(c) Requires the governor to appoint the chair of the task force.

(d) Provides that Chapter 2110 (State Agency Advisory Committees) does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the task force.

Sec. 455.004. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) Requires the task force to examine governance and operational challenges in the early childhood education and care system, including federal and local child-care programs and regulations governing those programs; with a focus on improving government efficiency, conduct a comprehensive review of the existing functions and responsibilities of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), TEA, and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) related to early childhood education and care; and consider methods for a large-scale redesign of the administration of early childhood programs to improve efficiency, service delivery, quality of care, and the efficient use of funding.

(b) Requires the steering committee of the task force to align goals and metrics of HHSC, TEA, and TWC to measure progress, including aligning statewide data systems and require HHSC, TEA, and TWC to complete and submit to the task force periodic progress reports and regularly refine statewide goals and strategic plans to ensure alignment with evolving early childhood education and care needs.

(c) Requires TEA, from money appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, to pay the costs of data system integration, research, and administration for the task force.

Sec. 455.005. REPORT. Requires the task force, not later than December 1, 2026, to� develop and submit to the legislature policy and budget recommendations designed to improve early childhood education and care governance that will facilitate and improve early childhood education and care participant engagement with state agencies and lead to improved operational efficiency, increased affordable child care capacity, and improved kindergarten readiness.

Sec. 455.006. EXPIRATION. Provides that the task force is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.