June 2021 Committee on School Initiatives Item 4
Approval of 2021-2025 Rule Review Plan for State Board of Education
June 25, 2021
COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL INITIATIVES: ACTION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION: CONSENT
SUMMARY: This item presents for approval the 2021-2025 Rule Review Plan for State Board of Education (SBOE) Rules. Texas Government Code (TGC), §2001.039, requires an ongoing four-year rule review of existing state agency rules, including SBOE rules. The rule review requirement in TGC, §2001.039, is designed to ensure that the reason for initially adopting or readopting a rule continues
to exist.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY: TGC, §2001.039.
TGC, §2001.039, requires a state agency to review and consider for readoption each of its rules.
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION: In response to statute, the SBOE conducted reviews of its rules in 1991-1993, 1995-1996, 1997-2001, 2001-2005, 2005-2009, 2009-2013, 2013-2017, and 2017-2021.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND JUSTIFICATION: Senate Bill 178, 76th Texas Legislature, 1999, amended the TGC by adding §2001.039, which requires the review of existing state agency rules. The rule review requirement in TGC, §2001.039, is designed to ensure that the reason for adopting or readopting the rule continues to exist. In order to implement and comply with the statutory rule review requirements, the SBOE adopted rule review plans for the 1997-2001, 2001-2005, 2005-2009, 2009-2013, 2013-2017, and 2017-2021 cycles.
The proposed 2021-2025 SBOE rule review plan reflected in Attachment I repeats the cycle of review that was conducted during the 2017-2021 SBOE rule review plan with the addition of new rules that took effect subsequent to the adoption of that plan and the removal of rules that were repealed or are scheduled to be presented for repeal. In accordance with Texas Education Code, §28.002(m), and as was the case with previous rule review plans, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) are exempt from the rule review requirement and are not included in the proposed 2021-2025 plan. Although the TEKS will not be reviewed as part of the rule review process, the SBOE conducts a review of the curriculum content on a schedule determined by the SBOE designed to align the adoption of textbook proclamations with amendments to the TEKS.
Once approved by the SBOE, the rule review plan for SBOE rules will continue to appear on an ongoing basis in the information pages of the SBOE agenda. Any necessary modifications to the plan will appear in the information pages of the SBOE agenda along with the ongoing report. The rule review plan will also be posted on the agency's website and updated if necessary.
Report on the 2017-2021 SBOE Rule Review Plan. An ongoing report on the 2017-2021 SBOE rule review plan has been included in the information pages of each agenda since its approval in 2016. The 2017-2021 reviews resulted in changes to some SBOE rules to update and clarify provisions and align the rules with current practice. Attachment III includes a report on the 2017-2021 SBOE rule review plan, including changes generated as a result of the reviews.
Rule Review Procedures. Secretary of State rules specify the following two-step review process to implement the rule review requirement in TGC, §2001.039:
1. a Notice of Proposed Review (Intention to review) that announces a public comment period for comments on whether the reason for adopting or readopting the rules continues to exist (see example in Attachment II); and
2. a Notice of Adopted Review (Readoption) that summarizes the public comments received, if any, in response to the notice of proposed review and provides a response to each comment (see examples in Attachment II).
The rule review process for SBOE rules is illustrated in this item using three examples. These examples present the following points: (1) if no amendments are recommended to rules under review, the item presenting the adoption of the review will complete the rule review process and no further action will be necessary; and (2) if amendments are recommended to rules under review, the item presenting the adoption of the review will complete the rule review process and the amendments will be presented as a separate item under the standard rulemaking process.
Example 1. Rule Review with No Changes
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January SBOE Meeting |
SBOE Committee |
A discussion item is included in the agenda that briefly describes the rule and specifies that no changes are being recommended. |
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After the SBOE meeting, staff files the Notice of Proposed Review (see Attachment II). |
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April SBOE Meeting |
SBOE Committee and Full SBOE
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An action item is included in the agenda that presents a summary of comments received, if any, from the Notice of Proposed Review. The SBOE authorizes filing the Notice of Adopted Review, noting that no changes are being proposed to the rule as a result of the review. |
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After the SBOE meeting, staff files the Notice of Adopted Review that states the rule will continue to exist without changes (see Attachment II). |
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END OF REVIEW PROCESS |
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Example 2. Rule Review with Changes
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January SBOE Meeting |
SBOE Committee |
A discussion item is included in the agenda that briefly describes the rule, outlines issues to be considered, and specifies anticipated changes to the rule. |
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After the SBOE meeting, staff files the Notice of Proposed Review (see Attachment II). |
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April SBOE Meeting |
SBOE Committee and Full SBOE |
Separate action items are included in the agenda: one that presents comments received, if any, from the Notice of Proposed Review and one that provides the SBOE the opportunity to propose amendments for first reading and filing authorization. The SBOE authorizes filing the Notice of Adopted Review and approves the proposed amendments for first reading and filing authorization. |
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After the SBOE meeting, staff files the proposed amendments. Staff also files the Notice of Adopted Review that states the rule will continue to exist and changes are being proposed (see Attachment II). |
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END OF REVIEW PROCESS |
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June SBOE Meeting |
SBOE Committee and Full SBOE |
An action item is included in the agenda that presents the proposed amendments for second reading and final adoption, which includes a summary of comments, if any, on the proposed amendments. |
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After the SBOE meeting, staff files the adopted amendments. |
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END OF AMENDMENT PROCESS |
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Example 3. Repeal of Rule under Review
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January SBOE Meeting |
SBOE Committee and Full SBOE |
An action item is included in the agenda that presents the proposed repeal of the rule for first reading and filing authorization. |
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After the SBOE meeting, staff files the proposed repeal. No Notice of Proposed Review required for repeals. |
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April SBOE Meeting |
SBOE Committee and Full SBOE |
An action item is included in the agenda that presents the proposed repeal of the rule for second reading and final adoption. |
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After the SBOE meeting, staff files the adopted repeal. |
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END OF REPEAL PROCESS |
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PUBLIC AND STUDENT BENEFIT: The ongoing rule review process will ensure that SBOE rules remain current and valid and that the reasons for adopting or readopting the rules continue to exist. This process also provides an opportunity for the public to comment on the SBOE rules under review.
MOTION TO BE CONSIDERED: The State Board of Education:
Approve the proposed 2021-2025 Rule Review Plan for State Board of Education Rules.
Staff Members Responsible:
Cristina De La Fuente-Valadez, Director, Rulemaking
Lynette Smith, Program Specialist, Rulemaking
Attachment I:
Proposed 2021-2025 Rule Review Plan for State Board of Education
Attachment II:
Sample Notices of Proposed and Adopted Review
Attachment III:
Report on the 2017-2021 SBOE Rule Review Plan