Bill Text: TX HB4322 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of a STEM and computer science strategic advisory committee.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-21 - Referred to Public Education [HB4322 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB4322-Introduced.html

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88R14244 DIO-F
By: Dutton H.B. No. 4322

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a STEM and computer science
strategic advisory committee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 28.0181 to read as follows:
Sec. 28.0181. STEM AND COMPUTER SCIENCE STRATEGIC ADVISORY
COMMITTEE. (a) In this section:
(1) "Advisory committee" means the STEM and computer
science strategic advisory committee established under this
section.
(2) "STEM" means science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics.
(b) The agency shall establish the STEM and computer science
strategic advisory committee as a permanent advisory committee to
the agency to:
(1) develop and provide recommendations for
increasing STEM and computer science instruction and participation
in public schools; and
(2) facilitate stronger connections to workforce
development opportunities.
(c) The advisory committee is composed of at least 11
members. The members must include:
(1) two members appointed by the governor;
(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives;
(4) one member appointed by the chair of the senate
committee with primary jurisdiction over primary and secondary
education;
(5) one member appointed by the chair of the senate
committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education;
(6) one member appointed by the chair of the house of
representatives committee with primary jurisdiction over primary
and secondary education;
(7) one member appointed by the chair of the house of
representatives committee with primary jurisdiction over higher
education;
(8) one member appointed by the chair of the State
Board of Education; and
(9) any other members added by the advisory committee
in a manner determined by the committee in the committee's
discretion.
(d) In appointing members to the advisory committee, the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives shall coordinate appointments to ensure that the
six individuals appointed to the advisory committee collectively by
those officers include:
(1) two educators who teach in a public school and are
certified in a subject related to STEM or computer science;
(2) one parent or person standing in parental relation
to a student enrolled in a public school;
(3) two individuals employed by an employer in the
STEM or computer science industry with at least one location in this
state; and
(4) one faculty member of an institution of higher
education.
(e) The governor shall designate a member of the advisory
committee as the presiding officer of the advisory committee to
serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor.
(f) The advisory committee may hold public meetings.
(g) Members of the advisory committee are not entitled to
compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in fulfilling committee duties.
(h) The agency shall appoint an agency employee to support
the advisory committee.
(i) Not later than January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the
advisory committee shall submit to the governor and the legislature
a report that includes recommended changes to state law, including
funding proposals and timelines for the implementation of the
recommended changes. The report shall include recommendations that
are intended to:
(1) increase the number of teachers certified in a
STEM-related field and teachers certified in computer science;
(2) increase the number of public high schools
offering STEM and computer science courses;
(3) increase the number of high school students
enrolled in STEM and computer science courses;
(4) encourage the enrollment of diverse student
populations in STEM and computer science courses; and
(5) expand STEM and computer science learning
opportunities, including computer programming, computer coding,
cybersecurity, and computational thinking, in public schools.
SECTION 2. Section 5, Chapter 1149 (H.B. 2984), Acts of the
86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019, is repealed.
SECTION 3. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the appropriate persons, as provided by Section
28.0181(c), Education Code, as added by this Act, shall appoint
members to the STEM and computer science strategic advisory
committee.
SECTION 4. 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, 2023.