Bill Summary - New Bills Only
85th Legislature – Regular Session
February 13, 2017
With less than a month until the March 10th bill filing deadline, Moak, Casey & Associates is now tracking
543 of the 2,747 bills filed through February 12, 2017. We are also entering a new phase of the 85th
Legislative Session. Senate and House committees will begin meeting on a regular basis, which means
that we will start sending out weekly reports on upcoming bill hearings. These updates will include the
meeting time, the bills to be discussed, and our MCA summary.
Contents
Administration and Governance ................................................................................................................... 1
Assessment and Accountability .................................................................................................................... 4
Charter .......................................................................................................................................................... 5
Curriculum and Programs ............................................................................................................................. 5
Discipline ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
Economic Development ................................................................................................................................ 8
Facilities and Transportation ........................................................................................................................ 8
Finance .......................................................................................................................................................... 9
P-16, Higher Ed Initiatives ............................................................................................................................. 9
Personnel, Certification, & PD .................................................................................................................... 10
Property Tax ................................................................................................................................................ 11
Reporting and Transparency ....................................................................................................................... 11
Retirement and Benefits ............................................................................................................................. 11
School Athletic Programs ............................................................................................................................ 12
State Government....................................................................................................................................... 12
State Revenue ............................................................................................................................................. 13
Technology, Textbooks and IMA................................................................................................................. 13
Administration and Governance
HB 1556
Gonzalez,
Mary(D)
Remarks:
Relating to the appointment of foster parents and other qualified persons to serve as
educational decision-makers for certain children in the conservatorship of the
Department of Family and Protective Services.
As filed: This bill would allow a foster parent to make school-related decisions on
behalf of his/her foster child with special needs. The parent would be required to
attend special training to qualify. The bill also outlines the steps a school district
should take to identify a surrogate parent (who must also undergo training to
qualify) if the foster parent is not willing or able to serve this role.
This act would take effect Sept. 1, 2017.
HB 1569
Ashby,
Trenton(R)
Remarks:
HB 1596
Lozano,
Jose(R)
Remarks:
HB 1627
Springer,
Drew(R)
Remarks:
HB 1669
King,
Tracy(D)
Remarks:
HB 1670
Vo,
Hubert(D)
Relating to the disclosure to public schools of certain records of students placed in
residential facilities.
As filed: This bill requires residential placement facilities to share school records,
behavioral history, and arrest records or indictments with school districts or openenrollment charter schools. Effective date: If the bill receives a two-thirds vote in
each chamber, it would be effective immediately; otherwise, September 1, 2017.
Relating to itemizing certain public notice expenditures in political subdivision
budgets.
As filed: This bill requires that political subdivisions include line item amounts in
proposed budgets for the costs of publishing public notices. Effective date: If the bill
receives a two-thirds vote in each chamber, it would be effective immediately;
otherwise, September, 1, 2017.
Relating to the exemption of certain school districts from the placement and use of
video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms or other settings providing special
education services.
As filed; This bill exempts school districts with less than 5,000 students located in
counties with less than 100,000 population from the requirement to place cameras
in special education classrooms at the request of parents or staff members. Effective
date: If the bill receives a two-thirds vote in each chamber, it would be effective
immediately; otherwise, September 1, 2017.
Relating to appeals and complaints arising from school laws brought by parents and
public school students.
As filed: If the commissioner determines that an appeal brought by a parent or
student against a school district is frivolous, the commissioner may order the parent
or student to pay the district's reasonable attorney's fees. Effective date: September
1, 2017.
Relating to enrollment in public schools by a child without a parent, guardian, or
other person with legal control of the child under a court order.
Remarks:
As filed: This bill repeals the requirement that student be enrolled by a parent or
guardian. Effective date: If the bill receives a two-thirds vote in each chamber, it
would be effective immediately; otherwise, September 1, 2017.
HB 1687
Bohac,
Dwayne(R)
Relating to an agreement between parents and classroom teachers of public school
students.
Remarks:
As filed: The bill creates a requirement for each district to develop a written
agreement form that states the responsibilities of students, parents, and teachers.
The agreement must be signed by students, parents, and teachers. The content of
the agreement is unstated by the bill. Effective date: If the bill receives a two-thirds
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vote in each chamber, it would be effective immediately; otherwise, September 1,
2017.
HB 1720
Phillips,
Larry(R)
Remarks:
HB 1732
Giddings,
Helen(D)
Remarks:
HB 1754
Swanson,
Valoree
(F)(R)
Remarks:
SB 754
Perry,
Charles(R)
Relating to parental notice regarding an incident of lice in a public elementary school.
As filed: This bill would require notification of parent so children with lice within 48
hours of when the school administrator or nurse becomes aware of the fact, and of
parents of children in the same classroom within 5 days. Effective date: If the bill
receives a two-thirds vote in each chamber, it would be effective immediately;
otherwise, September 1, 2017.
Relating to requiring a school district or open-enrollment charter school to report data
regarding restraints administered to, complaints filed against, citations issued to, and
arrests made of students.
As filed: This bill requires an annual report from each school district regarding
restraints administered to students, complaints filed under Section 37.145, citations
issued to students, and arrests of students. Details about the students involved in
each incident must be submitted. Effective date: If the bill receives a two-thirds
vote in each chamber, it would be effective immediately; otherwise September 1,
2017.
Relating to the placement and use of video cameras in certain self-contained
classrooms or other settings providing special education services.
As filed: This bill clarifies limits on the requirements to place cameras in special
education classrooms. Cameras would be required on the request of a parent only in
the classroom to which the parent's child is assigned, and cameras requested by
employees to a trustee would require the approval of the board of trustees.
Cameras would operate only for the year in which the request was made. Effective
date: If the bill receives a two-thirds vote in each chamber, it would be effective
immediately; otherwise, September 1, 2017.
Relating to the extension and modification of a public school district depository
contract.
Remarks:
As filed: This bill would allow a school district to extend a depository contract for
three (not two) additional two-year terms if both the bank and school district agree.
This act would take effect Sept. 1, 2017.
SB 755
Menendez,
Jose(D)
Relating to the authority of a school district to donate food to a nonprofit organization
to be served to students of the district.
Remarks:
SB 776
Rodriguez,
Jose(D)
Remarks:
As filed: This bill would allow non-profit organizations to donate unserved excess
food to schools to be served to students. This act would apply at the beginning of
the 2017-18 school year. If it receives a two-thirds vote, it would be effective
immediately; otherwise, it would take effect Sept. 1, 2017.
Relating to including in the minimum attendance requirement of a public school
student any absence of the student to participate in an extracurricular activity.
As filed: The bill would, in determining that a student has complied with the
minimum attendance requirements, not include any absence of a student from class
if the student is absent to attend an extracurricular activity. "Extracurricular activity"
would be defined as a voluntary activity sponsored by the school district and
includes preparation for and involvement in public performances, contests, athletic
competitions, demonstrations, displays, and club activities. Effective date: This bill
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takes effect immediately if passed with two-thirds approval in each house;
otherwise, the bill takes effect September 1, 2017.
Assessment and Accountability
HB 1553
Lozano,
Jose(R)
Remarks:
Relating to permitting a school district that has failed to satisfy performance
standards to partner with an institution of higher education to improve district
performance.
As filed: This bill would allow a school district that has failed to satisfy performance
standards to partner with an institution of higher education to help improve its
performance.
This act applies with the beginning of the 2017-18 school year. It would take effect
immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote; otherwise, it would take effect Sept. 1,
2017.
HB 1581
Lozano,
Jose(R)
Remarks:
HB 1650
Goldman,
Craig(R)
Remarks:
Relating to the use of individual graduation committees and other alternative
methods to satisfy certain public high school graduation requirements.
As filed: The bill generally extends current law provisions related to individual
graduation committees (IGCs) until September 1, 2019 (i.e., the bill provides a twoyear extension). Effective date: Immediate with two-thirds votes in each house;
otherwise if passed, effective Sept. 1, 2017.
Relating to successful completion of a United States history dual credit course as an
alternative to compliance with the United States history end-of-course assessment
requirement.
As filed: This bill would exempt a student from the United States history end of
course exam if the student successfully completes an eligible United States history
dual credit course provided through an institution of higher education. Effective
date: This bill takes effect immediately if approved by two-thirds vote in each
house; otherwise the bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
HB 1690
Relating to evaluating the performance of public school districts and campuses.
Burns,
DeWayne(R)
Remarks:
As filed: This bill would change the evaluation of public school districts so that the
graduation rate would be computed in compliance with the federal Every Student
Succeeds Act (ESSA). It would change the fifth domain of the evaluation to include
wellness and physical education and community and parental involvement for
performance related to community and student engagement. It would change the
weighting of each domain such that only 25% of the performance evaluation would
be from domains one, two and three. For middle and junior high schools,
elementary campuses, and districts that include only those campuses, 10% of the
performance evaluation would be the dropout rate indicator, and then the rest of the
achievement indicators in the fourth domain would be 35%. For high school
campuses and districts that include those campuses, 10% of the performance
evaluation would be the dropout rate and 35% would apply to the remaining
applicable achievement indicators for the fourth domain. In the fifth domain, 15% of
the performance evaluation would be the wellness and physical education indicator
and 15% would be the community and parental involvement indicator. The school
district will report the results of the wellness and physical education indicator and
the community and parental involvement indicator to the agency. Effective date:
The bill would take effect immediately if it receives the approval of two-thirds of
each house, otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
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HB 1731
Relating to the inclusion of students receiving treatment in a residential facility in the
King, Ken(R) determination of dropout rates for purposes of public school accountability.
Remarks:
SB 825
Taylor,
Larry(R)
Remarks:
As filed: The bill expands exclusions of students from state dropout rate
calculations. The existing limitation, that students had to have been in a juvenile
detention facility or residential treatment center for less than 85 days, is removed.
In other words, it no longer matters how long the students were in the detention
center or residential treatment center, they are not to be counted as dropouts for
the district or campus that serves the facility unless the students would ordinarily
have been assigned there. The bill also clarifies that the exclusion applies to
students who leave residential facilities, other than juvenile detention centers and
treatment centers. Effective date: September 1, 2017.
Relating to school district discretion to administer college preparation assessment
instruments to public school students at state cost.
As filed: Rather than requiring districts to administer preliminary college preparatory
assessment instruments annually to students in eighth and tenth grades, the bill
gives districts the option to administer these tests at state cost. (It makes the
language more consistent with the students' option to take a college admissions test
in spring of eleventh or at any time in twelfth grades at state cost.) Effective date:
Applies to SY 2017-18. Takes immediate effect with two-thirds votes in each house;
otherwise if passed, effective September 1, 2017.
Charter
HB 1560
Guillen,
Ryan(D)
Remarks:
HB 1732
Giddings,
Helen(D)
Remarks:
Relating to the removal of an obsolete reference regarding open-enrollment charter
schools and the State Board of Education.
As filed: This bill removes a reference to the State Board granting open-enrollment
charters or approving charter revisions. Effective date: If the bill receives a twothirds vote in each chamber, it would be effective immediately; otherwise,
September 1, 2017.
Relating to requiring a school district or open-enrollment charter school to report
data regarding restraints administered to, complaints filed against, citations issued
to, and arrests made of students.
As filed: This bill requires an annual report from each school district regarding
restraints administered to students, complaints filed under Section 37.145,
citations issued to students, and arrests of students. Details about the students
involved in each incident must be submitted. Effective date: If the bill receives a
two-thirds vote in each chamber, it would be effective immediately; otherwise
September 1, 2017.
Curriculum and Programs
HB 1547
Gonzalez,
Mary(D)
Remarks:
Relating to human sexuality education in public schools.
As filed: This bill would allow for the State Board of Education to adopt ageappropriate sex education curriculum for use in schools that includes information on
healthy sexuality and contraception beyond abstinence.
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This bill would be immediately effective with a two-thirds vote; otherwise, this act
would take effect Sept. 1, 2017.
HB 1585
Murphy,
Jim(R)
Remarks:
HB 1593
Bohac,
Dwayne(R)
Remarks:
HB 1638
Guillen,
Ryan(D)
Relating to including student input before the adoption of a major curriculum initiative
by a school district.
As filed: This bill would add student input in addition to other stakeholder input as a
requirement before adopting a major curriculum initiative in a district. Effective
date: If passed, the bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Relating to the engagement strategies included in a school district's family
engagement plan.
As filed: This bill would add programs and interventions that engage a family in
supporting a student's learning at home to a district's family engagement plan.
Effective date: If the bill does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect,
the bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Relating to statewide goals for dual credit programs provided by school districts.
Remarks:
As filed: This bill requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to jointly develop statewide goals for dual
credit programs, including early college high school programs, career and technical
education dual credit programs, and joint high school and college credit programs.
The goals must address a dual credit program's achievement of enrollment in and
acceleration through postsecondary education, performance in college-level
coursework, and the development of an effective bridge between secondary and
postsecondary education in the state. Any agreement between a school district and
a public institution of higher education to provide a dual credit program must include
specific program goals aligned with the statewide goals, establish the course credits
that may be earned under the agreement including a course equivalency to equate
high school courses with college courses and identify the number of credits that may
be earned, describe the academic supports and guidance to be provided to
participating students, establish the district's and institution's roles in the program,
state the funding sources for the courses (including tuition, transportation, and any
required fees or textbooks), and post the information each year on the district's and
the institution's respective websites. Effective date: If the bill does not receive the
necessary votes for immediate effect, it will take effect September 1, 2017.
HB 1640
Vo,
Hubert(D)
Relating to the creation of a program to assist foster care youth and former foster
care youth in accessing higher education, career information, and skills certifications.
Remarks:
As filed: This requires that the department collaborate with local workforce
development boards, foster care transition centers, community and technical
colleges, schools, and any other appropriate workforce industry resources to create
a program that assists foster care youth and former foster care youth in obtaining a
high school diploma or equivalency certificate, industry certifications, career
guidance, and information about tuition and fee waivers for institutions of higher
education that are available to foster care youth. Effective date: If passed the bill
takes effect September 1, 2017.
SB 748
Zaffirini,
Judith(D)
Remarks:
Relating to transition planning for a public school student enrolled in a special
education program.
As filed: This bill updates the language regarding transitioning of special education
students. If the student is younger than 18, other persons may be invited to
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participate in the planning by either the student's parents or the school district;
otherwise, other persons may be invited to participate by the student. The transition
planning would be part of the Individualized Education Program (IEP). Some of the
topics for transition planning to be discussed in the IEP are: Appropriate
postsecondary education including preparation for postsecondary coursework,
functional vocational evaluation, appropriate employment goals, the availability of
community settings or environments that prepare the student for postsecondary
education or training, competitive integrated employment, independent living in
coordination with the student's transition goals and objectives, facilitating the
referral to appropriate agencies for services and benefits, the use and availability of
supplementary aids, services, and other opportunities to assist the student in
developing decision-making skills, and lastly, supports and services to foster the
student's independence and self-determination. A student's admission, review, and
dismissal committee would meet annually to review any issues and if necessary,
update the student's IEP to address those issues. The commissioner shall maintain a
list of services and public benefits on the Agency's website. At least every 4 years,
the commissioner shall review and update the minimum training guidelines. The
transition and employment guide must be written in plain language and include
information regarding placement on waiting lists for public benefits available to the
student from a governmental agency. Not later than one year before the 18th
birthday of a student, the school district shall provide to the student and the
student's parents, written notice regarding the transfer of rights, information and
resources regarding guardianship, alternatives to guardianship including a supported
decision-making agreement, and other supports and services that may enable the
student to live independently and ensure that the student's IEP includes a statement
that the district provided the notice. Effective date: This bill would take effect
immediately if it receives approval of two-thirds of both houses; otherwise, the bill
takes effect September 1, 2017.
SB 802
Seliger,
Kel(R)
Remarks:
SB 826
Taylor,
Larry(R)
Remarks:
Relating to a study and report regarding best practices in the provision of dual credit
courses by public institutions of higher education and the transfer of course credit.
As filed: By September 1, 2018, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is to
prepare a report to the legislature about best practices in ensuring that dual credit
courses provided by an institution of higher education (IHE), and courses
transferred to an IHE for course credit, are accepted as credits towards a degree
program at the IHE. The study must evaluate the articulation agreements through
which IHEs provide dual credit courses to school district students, or that govern
transfer of course credit between IHEs, and identify the IHEs that are implementing
the best practices identified by the study. The provisions in the bill expire on Sept.
1, 2019. Effective date: Takes immediate effect with two-thirds votes in each house;
otherwise if passed, effective Sept. 1, 2017.
Relating to the sequencing of required English language arts courses and
mathematics courses in schools.
As filed: The bill eliminates requirements that students complete English I-III before
being able to take an advanced English course, and eliminates requirements that
students take Algebra I and geometry before taking an advanced mathematics
course. Effective date: Applies beginning with SY 2017-18. Takes immediate effect
with two-thirds votes in each house; otherwise if passed, effective Sept. 1, 2017.
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Discipline
HB 1592
Bohac,
Dwayne(R)
Remarks:
HB 1732
Giddings,
Helen(D)
Remarks:
Relating to the punishment of certain assaults committed against employees of
primary and secondary schools.
As filed: This bill elevated certain criminal offenses to the level of felonies if the
victim of the crime is an employee of a private or public elementary or secondary
school engaged in performing duties within the scope of employment or in
retaliation for the employee's performance of duties within the scope of
employment. Effective date: September 1, 2017.
Relating to requiring a school district or open-enrollment charter school to report data
regarding restraints administered to, complaints filed against, citations issued to, and
arrests made of students.
As filed: This bill requires an annual report from each school district regarding
restraints administered to students, complaints filed under Section 37.145, citations
issued to students, and arrests of students. Details about the students involved in
each incident must be submitted. Effective date: If the bill receives a two-thirds
vote in each chamber, it would be effective immediately; otherwise September 1,
2017.
Economic Development
HB 1618
Smithee,
John(R)
Remarks:
HB 1674
Murphy,
Jim(R)
Remarks:
Relating to the limitation on the amount of supplemental payments that a person may
agree to provide to a school district or any other entity on behalf of a school district
under the Texas Economic Development Act.
As filed: The bill raises the limit on the total dollar amount limiting payments under
Chapter 313 value limitation agreements to $75,000. Effective date: September 1,
2017.
Relating to the Texas Economic Development Act.
As filed: Allows for a single unified project in contiguous school districts to have a
single value limitation and investment amount (project is considered to be located in
district with highest industrial value). Also states that Comptroller should verify
compliance (employment, wage, value data) of a random sample of at least 33
percent of projects. Effective date: September 1, 2017.
Facilities and Transportation
HB 1759
Smithee,
John(R)
Remarks:
Relating to the authority of an independent school district to contract with a county
for the design, improvement, or construction of an instructional facility or stadium or
other athletic facility.
As filed: This bill authorizes a school district to contribute to a county project to
design, improve, or construct instructional facilities or athletic facilities. A written
agreement must be entered into. Effective date: If the bill receives a two-thirds vote
in each chamber, it would be effective immediately; otherwise, September 1, 2017.
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SB 800
Seliger,
Kel(R)
Remarks:
Relating to the authority of an independent school district to contract with a county
for the design, improvement, or construction of an instructional facility or stadium or
other athletic facility.
As filed: This bill authorizes a school district to contribute to a county project to
design, improve, or construct instructional facilities or athletic facilities. A written
agreement must be entered into. Effective date: If the bill receives a two-thirds vote
in each chamber, it would be effective immediately; otherwise, September 1, 2017.
Finance
HB 1
Zerwas,
John(R)
Remarks:
HB 1673
Hinojosa,
Gina (F)(D)
General Appropriations Bill.
As filed: This is the General Appropriations Bill. It sets the level of funding for the
Foundation School Program, and includes a significant increase in the Austin yield,
and includes a contingency appropriation of $1.47 billion for school finance changes.
Several grants or programs outside the FSP receive reductions in funding, and a few
receive increases. More details were provided in separate summary documents.
Effective date: September 1, 2017.
Relating to a transportation allotment credit for school districts required to take
action to reduce wealth per student.
Remarks:
As filed: This bill would provide a credit for the transportation allotment to districts
that are required to take an action under Chapter 41 against the cost of recapture.
Effective date: September 1, 2017.
HB 1710
Frank,
James(R)
Relating to the small-sized district adjustment under the Foundation School Program.
Remarks:
As filed: This bill would gradually remove the distinction in the small district
adjustments for districts with less than 300 square miles over a period of six years,
but it would not allow that change to impact charter school funding. Effective date:
September 1, 2017.
P-16, Higher Ed Initiatives
HB 1553
Lozano,
Jose(R)
Remarks:
Relating to permitting a school district that has failed to satisfy performance
standards to partner with an institution of higher education to improve district
performance.
As filed: This bill would allow a school district that has failed to satisfy performance
standards to partner with an institution of higher education to help improve its
performance.
This act applies with the beginning of the 2017-18 school year. It would take effect
immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote; otherwise, it would take effect Sept. 1,
2017.
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SB 732
Campbell,
Donna(R)
Remarks:
SB 802
Seliger,
Kel(R)
Remarks:
Relating to the authority of public junior colleges to offer certain courses and
programs, including under agreements with independent school districts.
As filed: This bill would increase the opportunity for junior colleges partner with
school districts in providing programs for high school students by loosening or
eliminating some of the requirements for participating schools. If the bill receives a
two-thirds vote, it is effective immediately; otherwise, it would be effective Sept. 1,
2017.
Relating to a study and report regarding best practices in the provision of dual credit
courses by public institutions of higher education and the transfer of course credit.
As filed: By September 1, 2018, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is to
prepare a report to the legislature about best practices in ensuring that dual credit
courses provided by an institution of higher education (IHE), and courses
transferred to an IHE for course credit, are accepted as credits towards a degree
program at the IHE. The study must evaluate the articulation agreements through
which IHEs provide dual credit courses to school district students, or that govern
transfer of course credit between IHEs, and identify the IHEs that are implementing
the best practices identified by the study. The provisions in the bill expire on Sept.
1, 2019. Effective date: Takes immediate effect with two-thirds votes in each house;
otherwise if passed, effective Sept. 1, 2017.
Personnel, Certification, & PD
HB 1651
Oliveira,
Rene(D)
Relating to requiring a school district to reimburse classroom teachers employed by
the district for the cost of classroom supplies purchased with personal money.
Remarks:
As filed: This bill would repeal the classroom supply reimbursement program
(Section 21.414), and replace it with a provision which would allow a district to
reimburse a teacher for up to $200 of classroom supplies purchased by the teacher
with his/her own money each year. This bill would be effective at the beginning of
the 2017-18 school year. It would take immediate effect with a two-thirds vote;
otherwise, it would become effective Sept. 1, 2017.
SB 777
Rodriguez,
Jose(D)
Relating to the availability of school counselors at public middle, junior high, and high
school campuses.
Remarks:
As filed: This bill would ensure that a full-time school counselor would be employed
at each middle, junior high or high school campus with more than 350 students
enrolled in a regular education program (not an alternative education program).
This bill would also allow additional state aid for school counselors to provide for
these school counselors. School districts that received funds for additional
counselors under this bill would be entitled to the aid first, then schools with the
greatest number of students at risk of dropping out of school. Schools would be
required to keep their local funds allocated to counselor programs constant. This bill
would apply with the 2017-18 school year and would take effect Sept. 1, 2018.
SB 778
Taylor,
Van(R)
Remarks:
Relating to the appointment of school marshals by public schools and the ammunition
approved for use by a school marshal serving a public school or a public junior
college.
As filed: This bill would increase school marshal presence at public and charter
schools and potentially allow for more flexibility in the type of ammunition a marshal
can carry. A school district may appoint one marshal per campus and add one
additional marshal for every 200 students in average daily attendance per campus.
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A marshal can carry "frangible duty ammunition approved for that purpose by the
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement." This change in the law would allow a
marshal to carry ammunition outside the bounds of the current law (ammunition
designed to disintegrate on impact for maximum safety and minimal danger to
others), if the law enforcement commission approved. With a two-thirds vote, the
act would take immediate effect; if the bill does not receive enough votes necessary
for immediate effect, the bill would take effect September 1, 2017.
Property Tax
HB 1679
Schofield,
Mike(R)
Remarks:
HJR 69
Schofield,
Mike(R)
Remarks:
Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of a dollar
amount or a percentage, whichever is greater, of the appraised value of a residence
homestead, a reduction of the limitation on the total amount
As filed: This bill requires that the mandatory homestead exemption be the greater
of $25,000 or 13% of the appraised value. The bill calls for appropriate adjustments
to the computation of state aid and a hold harmless provision. Effective date:
January 1, 2018, contingent on the adoption of a related constitutional amendment.
Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for an exemption from ad valorem
taxation for public school purposes of a dollar amount or a percentage, whichever is
greater, of the market value of a residence homestead.
As filed: This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to create a mandatory
13% homestead exemption, or $25,000, whichever is greater. Effective date: The
amendment would be effective upon approval, but first applies to tax year 2018.
Reporting and Transparency
HB 1658
Phelan,
Dade(R)
Remarks:
Relating to required disclosures in ballot proposition language authorizing political
subdivisions to issue bonds or impose or change a tax.
As filed: This bill would require that ballot propositions that would authorize
increases in tax rates to disclose the increase in tax burden on median homestead
value and a detailed description of the purposes for which the tax is to be increased.
The bill also required that bond propositions include certain information on
outstanding debt, debt payments, the taxes to be imposed to repay the debt, and
the estimated tax burden on a homestead o median value. Effective date:
September 1, 2017.
Retirement and Benefits
HB 1746
Meyer,
Morgan(R)
Remarks:
Relating to the eligibility for service retirement annuities from a public retirement
system of public officers or employees convicted of certain offenses.
As filed: This bill creates a statutory basis for reducing or suspending annuity
payments from public pension systems when an annuitant is convicted of certain
crimes committed in the service which qualifies the individual for membership in the
retirement system. The provisions as written apply to members whose membership
in the retirement system was based at least in part on holding an elective office.
Effective date: September 1, 2017.
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SB 788
Huffman,
Joan(R)
Remarks:
SB 789
Huffman,
Joan(R)
Remarks:
Relating to the administration of and benefits payable under the Texas Public School
Retired Employees Group Benefits Act.
As filed: This bill makes several changes to the administration of TRS-Care. It
creates a more flexible definition of health benefit plans, and requires TRS to offer a
high deductible plan, a Medicare Advantage plan, and a Medicare prescription drug
plan. It creates the basis for non-Medicare retirees to be restricted to the high
deductible plan, but appears to allow existing retirees to continue in their current
plans. Effective date: September 1, 2017, although the changes apply to the 2019
plan year.
Relating to the administration of and benefits payable under the Texas School
Employees Uniform Group Health Coverage Act.
As filed: This bill makes several changes to the TRS ActiveCare program. It first
creates a more flexible definition for "health coverage plan". It authorizes TRS to
make available a high deductible plan, and a health savings account program. It
allows entities with 1,000 or fewer employees to make a one-time election to
discontinue participation. It discontinues the participation of entities with more than
1,000 employees on September 1, 2018, and provides for the exclusion of entities
that later have more than 1,000 employees. Effective date: September 1, 2017,
although the changes go into effect for the 2018 plan year.
School Athletic Programs
HB 1577
Lozano,
Jose(R)
Remarks:
HB 1645
Lozano,
Jose(R)
Remarks:
Relating to assignment by the University Interscholastic League of schools to districts
for purposes of competition.
As filed: This bill would forbid UIL from placing schools in a district for competition
that would require the school to travel more than 100 miles for competitions, unless
an conference of an appropriate enrollment size is not available. If the bill receives a
two-thirds vote, it will go into immediate effect; otherwise, it would take effect Sept.
1, 2017.
Relating to requiring certain school districts to adopt a policy allowing students who
participate in Special Olympics to earn a letter on that basis.
As filed: Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, this bill would allow high school
students to learn a letter for their participation in a Special Olympics event. This bill
would go into immediate effect with a two-thirds vote; otherwise, it would become
effective September 1, 2017.
State Government
SB 765
Huffines,
Donald(R)
Remarks:
Relating to providing the financial cost incurred by the Texas Education Agency as a
result of providing educational services to persons who are not lawfully present in the
United States.
As filed: This bill would require at the start of each legislative session, the Texas
Education Agency to report the money the agency spent in the previous biennium
on the education of undocumented students. Effective date: Sept. 1, 2017
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SB 806
Creighton,
Brandon(R)
Remarks:
Relating to a report concerning, and actions by certain state officers regarding,
federal money provided to this state that is subject to a coercive federal condition.
As filed: This bill would require the Legislative Budget Board to report on federal
funding that is subject to a "coercive federal condition", defined by the bill as a
prescription of the manner in which the federal money must be spent, requirements
to spend state or local money (including maintenance of effort), or matters related
to policy. The bill also establishes a policy of cooperating with other states to
terminate participation in federal programs that involve coercive federal conditions.
Effective date: If the bill receives a two-thirds vote in each chamber, it would be
effective immediately; otherwise, September 1, 2017.
State Revenue
HB 1613
Springer,
Drew(R)
Remarks:
Relating to adjustment of the rates of the franchise tax.
As filed: This bill would authorize a reduction in franchise tax rates anytime the
Comptroller's revenue estimate exceeds the constitutional spending limit. Over time,
the franchise tax could be phased out completely. Effective date: January 1, 2018.
Technology, Textbooks and IMA
HB 1556
Gonzalez,
Mary(D)
Remarks:
Relating to the appointment of foster parents and other qualified persons to serve as
educational decision-makers for certain children in the conservatorship of the
Department of Family and Protective Services.
As filed: This bill would allow a foster parent to make school-related decisions on
behalf of his/her foster child with special needs. The parent would be required to
attend special training to qualify. The bill also outlines the steps a school district
should take to identify a surrogate parent (who must also undergo training to
qualify) if the foster parent is not willing or able to serve this role.
This act would take effect Sept. 1, 2017.
SB 801
Seliger,
Kel(R)
Remarks:
Relating to the instructional material list and supplemental instructional materials
adopted by the State Board of Education.
As filed: Both regular and supplemental instructional materials must be free from
factual errors and be suitable for the subject and grade level for which they are
being considered. Effective date: September 1, 2017; applies only to instructional
material lists and supplemental instructional material adopted on or after September
1, 2017.
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