AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Published: 8:55 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Senate Bill 8 

The Texas Legislature made substantial changes to the Texas textbook adoption process, including creating a per-student instructional materials allotment and eliminating the conforming and non-conforming materials list. SB 6 created an Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) for the purchase of instructional materials, technological equipment and technology-related services. Districts will no longer be using an enrollment eligibility system but will now be using an allotment system.

Beginning September 1, 2011, the one year time limit to renew an expired license without retesting is extended. House Bill 3287 allows a person whose license is expired up to 18 months to renew without retesting. The bill also allows licenses to be renewed up to 36 months after expiration with the approval of TDLR's executive director.

May 31, 2011 - 8:00 a.m.  Both the House and Senate quickly gaveled in and out.  The Governor's call for a Special Session began today regarding legislation that is related to fiscal matters necessary for the implementation of HB 1(includes measures that will allow school districts to operate more efficiently) and legislation relating to healthcare cost containment (access to services through managed care, and the creation of economic and structural incentives to improve the quality of Medicaid services).