Bill Caption

Relating to requiring the posting of certain information on an open-enrollment charter school's Internet website regarding the school's governing body.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Current law requires open-enrollment charter schools to list the names of the members of their governing body on their respective websites.

HB 2987 would further require open-enrollment charter schools to include on their websites the following additional information about the members of their governing body: relevant biographical information, disclosure of a substantial interest in certain business entities, and whether those business entities contract with the school, the total number of members, the manner in which members are selected, the terms of service of each member, and the total number of years each member has served.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports HB 2987 which supports limited government by placing appropriate disclosure requirements on public open-enrollment charter schools.

We recommend amending this legislation to limit the biographical information that must be required to be disclosed in order to protect board member privacy. It is our understanding that the author is amenable to such an amendment.