84R2038 KKA-D
 
  By: González H.B. No. 355
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a task force to evaluate class size
  limits in public schools.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 25, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 25.116 to read as follows:
         Sec. 25.116.  TASK FORCE ON CLASS SIZE LIMITS. (a) A task
  force is established under this section to evaluate class size
  limits applicable under Section 25.112 to kindergarten through
  fourth grade classes and determine whether similar limits should be
  imposed on classes at grade levels five through eight. 
         (b)  The task force shall be composed of members appointed by
  the commissioner. In making appointments, the commissioner shall
  ensure that the task force includes teachers, school principals or
  other school administrators, superintendents or other central
  office administrators, representatives of the agency, and other
  interested persons.
         (c)  A representative of the agency designated by the
  commissioner shall serve as the presiding officer of the task
  force.
         (d)  The commissioner shall appoint the members of the task
  force not later than December 1, 2015.
         (e)  The presiding officer shall call the initial meeting of
  the task force on or before January 1, 2016. The task force shall
  meet at the times and places that the presiding officer determines
  are appropriate. The task force shall adopt rules necessary to
  fulfill the task force's duties under this section.
         (f)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
  task force.
         (g)  The task force shall evaluate:
               (1)  the effect of class sizes on student achievement,
  including students enrolled in regular education programs,
  students enrolled in special education programs under Subchapter A,
  Chapter 29, students enrolled in bilingual education and special
  language programs under Subchapter B, Chapter 29, and students who
  are educationally disadvantaged; and
               (2)  the potential financial effect of imposing class
  size limits on classes at grade levels five through eight on:
                     (A)  school districts;
                     (B)  the agency; and
                     (C)  the state budget.
         (h)  The task force shall prepare a report that includes:
               (1)  a description of the activities of the task force;
               (2)  the findings and recommendations of the task
  force, including any proposed policy recommendations; and
               (3)  any proposals for legislation or other matters the
  task force considers appropriate.
         (i)  Not later than September 1, 2017, the task force shall
  deliver the report required by Subsection (h) to the governor, the
  lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
  and the chair of the State Board of Education.
         (j)  The task force is abolished and this section expires
  December 1, 2017.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2015.