S.B. No. 702
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the continuation and functions of the Prepaid Higher
  Education Tuition Board.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 54.603, Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 54.603.  SUNSET PROVISION. The Prepaid Higher
  Education Tuition Board is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code
  (Texas Sunset Act).  Unless continued in existence as provided by
  that chapter, the board is abolished [and the programs established
  under this subchapter and under Subchapters G and H terminate]
  September 1, 2033 [2021].
         SECTION 2.  Section 54.610, Education Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  The [A] training program must [established under this
  section shall] provide the person with information [to the member]
  regarding:
               (1)  the law governing [enabling legislation that
  created the] board operations;
               (2)  the programs, functions, rules, and budget of
  [operated by] the board;
               (3)  the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking
  authority [role and functions] of the board;
               (4)  [the rules of the board, with an emphasis on the
  rules that relate to disciplinary and investigatory authority;
               [(5)  the current budget for the board;
               [(6)]  the results of the most recent formal audit of
  the board;
               (5) [(7)]  the requirements of [the]:
                     (A)  laws relating to open meetings, public
  information, [law, Chapter 551, Government Code;
                     [(B)  open records law, Chapter 552, Government
  Code; and
                     [(C)]  administrative procedure, and disclosing
  conflicts [law, Chapter 2001, Government Code;
               [(8)  the requirements of the conflict] of interest;
  [laws] and
                     (B)  other laws applicable to members of a state
  policy-making body in performing their duties [relating to public
  officials]; and
               (6) [(9)]  any applicable ethics policies adopted by
  the board or the Texas Ethics Commission.
         (d)  The executive director of the board shall create a
  training manual that includes the information required by
  Subsection (b).  The executive director shall distribute a copy of
  the training manual annually to each board member.  Each board
  member shall sign and submit to the executive director a statement
  acknowledging that the member received and has reviewed the
  training manual.
         SECTION 3.  Section 54.617(e), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (e)  The board shall periodically notify the complaint
  parties of the status of the complaint until final disposition
  unless the notice would jeopardize an investigation.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter F, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 54.6181 to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.6181.  ADVISORY COMMITTEES. (a)  The board by rule
  may establish advisory committees to make recommendations to the
  board on programs, rules, and policies administered by the board.
         (b)  In establishing an advisory committee under this
  section, the board shall adopt rules, including rules regarding:
               (1)  the purpose, role, responsibility, goals, and
  duration of the committee;
               (2)  the size of and quorum requirement for the
  committee;
               (3)  qualifications for committee membership;
               (4)  appointment procedures for members;
               (5)  terms of service for members;
               (6)  training requirements for members;
               (7)  policies to avoid conflicts of interest by
  members;
               (8)  a periodic review process to evaluate the
  continuing need for the committee; and
               (9)  policies to ensure the committee does not violate
  any provision of Chapter 551, Government Code, applicable to the
  board or the committee.
         (c)  Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to an
  advisory committee created by the board.
         SECTION 5.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b) of
  this section, Section 54.610, Education Code, as amended by this
  Act, applies to a member of the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition
  Board appointed before, on, or after the effective date of this Act.
         (b)  A member of the Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board
  who, before the effective date of this Act, completed the training
  program required by Section 54.610, Education Code, as that law
  existed before the effective date of this Act, is only required to
  complete additional training on the subjects added by this Act to
  the training program required by Section 54.610, Education Code.  A
  board member described by this subsection may not vote, deliberate,
  or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the board
  held on or after December 1, 2021, until the member completes the
  additional training.
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 702 passed the Senate on
  April 6, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 702 passed the House on
  May 19, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 133, Nays 13, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor