STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 53rd Legislature (2012)

HOUSE BILL 2596	By:	Holland

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to schools; creating the Education Mandates Review Task Force; directing the Task Force to study certain issues and make recommendations; specifying certain issues; establishing membership; providing for cochairs, meetings, service, quorum, vacancies and staff support; directing state agencies to provide support and information; prohibiting compensation or travel reimbursement; allowing the Task Force to seek certain assistance for certain purpose; requiring the Task Force to submit certain reports; providing for noncodification; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
A.  There is hereby created until May 31, 2013, the Education Mandates Review Task Force.
B.  The Task Force shall identify, study and make a report on all state and federal laws which establish mandates for common education schools.  The Task Force shall:  
1.  Identify all laws that establish mandates for public schools in the state including the:
a.  function of each law,
b.  legal source of the law (federal, state, or other), 
c.  substance of the law, and 
d.  federal, state and local funding requirements; 
2.  Determine the current federal, state and local funding sources and amounts for implementing the identified laws which establish mandates; and  
3.  Any other relevant issues.
C.  The Task Force shall consist of nine (9) members as
follows:
1.  The State Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee; 
2.  The Secretary of Education or designee; 
3.  The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education or designee;
4.  A staff member of the Office of State Finance appointed by the Director of the Office of State Finance; 
5.  The Director of the Office of Accountability or designee; 
6.  A representative of a statewide organization representing public school superintendents, appointed by Governor; 
7.  A representative of a statewide organization representing public school teachers, appointed by the Governor; 
8.  A member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and 
9.  A member of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
D.  The member of the House of Representatives and the member of the Senate shall serve as cochairs of the Task Force.  Appointments to the Task Force shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act.  Meetings of the Task Force shall be held at the call of either cochair of the Task Force.  Members shall serve at the pleasure of their appointing authorities.  A majority of the members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum to transact business, but no vacancy shall impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all of the powers of the Task Force.  A vacancy on the Task Force shall be filled by the original appointing authority.  Staff support for the Task Force shall be provided by the staff of the House of Representatives, Senate and State Department of Education.  Other state agencies shall provide support and information as requested by the Task Force.
E.  Members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation or travel reimbursement for serving on the Task Force.
F.  The Task Force may seek the assistance of the Legislative Service Bureau or the State Board of Education to contract with an independent consultant as necessary to fulfill the duties specified in this section contingent on the availability of funds.
G.  The Task Force shall submit a preliminary report by December 31, 2012, and a final report by May 31, 2013, to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  
SECTION 2.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

53-2-8794	KB	01/12/12