Bill Text: TX HB1865 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to authorizing school districts to suspend classes on primary and general election days and requiring the commissioner of education to adjust funding for certain related absences.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-04 - Referred to Public Education [HB1865 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB1865-Introduced.html

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83R9095 PAM-D
By: Klick H.B. No. 1865

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing school districts to suspend classes on
primary and general election days and requiring the commissioner of
education to adjust funding for certain related absences.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 25, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 25.0812 to read as follows:
Sec. 25.0812. SUSPENSION OF CLASSES ON PRIMARY AND GENERAL
ELECTION DAY. (a) This section applies to elections held on the
primary election date described by Section 41.007, Election Code,
or the date for the general election for state and county officers
under Section 41.001, Election Code.
(b) A school district may suspend classes on the day of a
primary or general election. A district that intends to suspend
classes as provided by this section must notify the commissioner
not later than the first day of instruction for the school year in
which the election will be held.
(c) The authorization granted by this section does not
exempt a school district from the requirement under Section
25.081(a) for a minimum number of days of instruction. A district
may extend its school calendar to compensate for days on which
classes are suspended as provided by this section.
SECTION 2. Section 42.005, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:
(c-1) The commissioner shall adjust the average daily
attendance of a school district that suspends classes on the day of
the primary or general election as provided by Section 25.0812 and
that, on the day preceding election day, has more than the
district's average number of daily absences, so that the district
is not penalized under this section for that increase in the number
of absences.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014
school year.
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, 2013.