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Amend CSHB 22 by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTION to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
SECTION ___. Chapter 42, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter L to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER L. TEXAS COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCE
Sec. 42.601. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "commission" means the Texas Commission on Public School Finance.
Sec. 42.602. TEXAS COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCE. (a) The Texas Commission on Public School Finance is established to develop and make recommendations for improvements to the current public school finance system or for new methods of financing public schools.
(b) The commission is composed of 15 members, consisting of the following:
(1) four members appointed by the governor;
(2) three members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) three members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
(4) the chair of the senate committee on education, or a representative designated by the chair;
(5) the chair of the senate committee on finance, or a representative designated by the chair;
(6) the chair of the house of representatives committee on public education, or a representative designated by the chair;
(7) the chair of the house of representatives committee on appropriations, or a representative designated by the chair; and
(8) a member of the State Board of Education, as designated by the chair of that board.
(c) In making appointments under Subsections (b)(1), (2), and (3), the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall coordinate to ensure that the membership of the commission reflects, to the extent possible, the ethnic diversity of this state and includes at least one of each of the following representatives:
(1) an administrator in the public school system or an elected member of the board of trustees of a school district;
(2) a member of the business community; and
(3) a member of the civic community.
Sec. 42.603. PRESIDING OFFICER. The governor shall designate the presiding officer of the commission.
Sec. 42.604. COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT. A member of the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties.
Sec. 42.605. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AND FUNDING. (a) Staff members of the agency shall provide administrative support for the commission.
(b) Funding for the administrative and operational expenses of the commission shall be provided by appropriation to the agency for that purpose.
Sec. 42.606. RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The commission shall develop recommendations under this subchapter to address issues related to the public school finance system, including:
(1) the purpose of the public school finance system and the relationship between state and local funding in that system;
(2) the appropriate levels of local maintenance and operations and interest and sinking fund tax effort necessary to implement a public school finance system that complies with the requirements under the Texas Constitution; and
(3) policy changes to the public school finance system necessary to adjust for student demographics and the geographic diversity in the state.
(b) The commission may establish one or more working groups composed of not more than five members of the commission to study, discuss, and address specific policy issues and recommendations to refer to the commission for consideration.
Sec. 42.607. REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2018, the commission shall prepare and deliver a report to the governor and the legislature that recommends statutory changes to improve the public school finance system, including any adjustments to funding to account for student demographics.
Sec. 42.608. PUBLIC MEETINGS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION. (a) The commission may hold public meetings as needed to fulfill its duties under this subchapter.
(b) The commission is subject to Chapters 551 and 552, Government Code.
Sec. 42.609. COMMISSION ABOLISHED; EXPIRATION OF SUBCHAPTER. (a) The commission is abolished January 8, 2019.
(b) This subchapter expires January 8, 2019.