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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the Texas Commission on Federal Special Education Law |
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and Funding. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 29, Education Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter M to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER M. TEXAS COMMISSION ON FEDERAL SPECIAL EDUCATION LAW AND |
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FUNDING |
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Sec. 29.501. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "commission" |
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means the Texas Commission on Federal Special Education Law and |
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Funding. |
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Sec. 29.502. COMMISSION. (a) The commission is |
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established to study and make recommendations regarding this |
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state's approach to special education and compliance with the |
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 |
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et seq.). |
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(b) The commission is composed of seven members, appointed |
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as follows: |
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(1) one member with an interest in special education |
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appointed by the governor; |
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(2) three senators appointed by the lieutenant |
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governor; and |
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(3) three representatives appointed by the speaker of |
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the house of representatives. |
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(c) In making appointments under Subsection (b), the |
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governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of |
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representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the membership of |
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the commission, to the extent possible, reflects the ethnic and |
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geographic diversity of this state. |
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Sec. 29.503. PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall |
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designate the presiding officer of the commission. |
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Sec. 29.504. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of |
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the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the |
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commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and |
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necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties. |
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Sec. 29.505. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDING. (a) The |
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agency shall provide administrative support for the commission. |
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(b) Funding for the administrative and operational expenses |
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of the commission shall be provided by legislative appropriation |
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made to the agency for that purpose. |
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(c) The agency: |
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(1) may procure goods and services to support the |
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commission's work, including research and consulting services; and |
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(2) in procuring goods and services for the commission |
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under Subdivision (1): |
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(A) is not required to comply with any |
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procurement law or procedure that applies to procurements by state |
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agencies, including Chapters 2155 and 2254, Government Code, |
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provided that the agency uses a procurement method that provides |
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the best value to the state given any applicable time constraints; |
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and |
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(B) may, but is not required to, consider the |
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best value standards provided by Sections 2155.074(b) and (b-1), |
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Government Code. |
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(d) The agency may not execute a contract for a good or |
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service for the commission unless the members of the commission |
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approve the contract by a majority vote. |
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Sec. 29.506. STUDY AND RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The |
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commission shall conduct a study to: |
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(1) analyze the most effective statutory framework, |
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procedural safeguards, and practice approaches for public schools |
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to provide an appropriate education to students with disabilities; |
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(2) identify any provision of the Individuals with |
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Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.) that: |
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(A) imposes an unreasonable burden on |
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implementing protections and educational initiatives for students |
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with disabilities; and |
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(B) does not effectively improve outcomes for |
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students with disabilities; and |
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(3) analyze the resources provided and used for and |
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controlled by compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities |
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Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.). |
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(b) Based on the study under Subsection (a), the commission |
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shall develop recommendations for state policy to provide the most |
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effective supports for students with disabilities and the most |
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positive state and local fiscal, student, and operational impacts |
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if this state refused to comply with a requirement of the |
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 |
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et seq.). |
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Sec. 29.507. REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2028, the |
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commission shall submit to the governor and the legislature a |
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report regarding the commission's recommendations under Section |
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29.506. |
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Sec. 29.508. PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) |
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The commission may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill the |
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commission's duties under this subchapter. |
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(b) The commission is not subject to Chapter 551, Government |
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Code. |
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Sec. 29.509. EXPIRATION. The commission is abolished and |
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this subchapter expires January 1, 2029. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |