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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates/Conflicts with/Companion to/Relates to

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

State Department of Education

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Education Committee substitute for SB 6 and SB12 creates the Education Accountability Task Force and provides for its membership and duties. The bill has an emergency clause.

Significant Issues

The task force has 23 members which must be formed using the following criteria:

1. Four members of the House of Representatives, three from the majority and one from the minority, appointed by the Speaker of the House;



2. Four members from the Senate, three from the majority and one from the minority, appointed by the Committees' Committee, or by the President Pro Tempore if in the interim after consulting the Committees' Committee;



3. Two members of the executive department, appointed by the Governor;



4. Two public members, appointed by the Governor;



5. The Superintendent of Public Instruction (or his designee);



6. The President of the State Board of Education (or his designee);



7. Nine public members representing administrators, teachers, parent-teacher organizations, and private industry, appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

The bill also provides that the appointments shall be made no later than 20 days after the effective date of this act. The Governor, with leadership concurrence, shall appoint the chairman within 14 days. Also, the Governor, Speaker, and the President Pro Tempore may appoint advisory members.

The task force may not meet less than once a month, and must develop a plan to ensure effective education program initiatives and public school accountability. The task force is required to report its findings and recommendations no later than December 15, 1999 for the consideration of the second session of the forty-fourth legislature.

The Emergency Clause makes the bill effective immediately after being signed by the Governor.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

Senate Education Committee substitute for SB 6 and SB 12 appropriates $100.0 from the Legislative Council Service cash balances to the Legislative Council Service for expenditure in fiscal years 1999 and 2000. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2000 will revert to the general fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The Legislative Council Service shall staff the task force and will coordinate any other staff assistance required from the legislative and executive agencies as needed. Payments from the appropriation shall be made upon vouchers signed by the Director of the Legislative Council Service or an appointed representative.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

Substitutes Senate Bills 6 and 12.

MW/gm