89R13669 BCH-F     By: West S.B. No. 1852       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the accreditation of automotive technology courses   offered by public schools.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.195 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.195.  ACCREDITATION OF AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY COURSE   REQUIRED. (a) In this section, "institute" means the National   Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.          (b)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school   that offers to students a course related to automotive technology   shall ensure that the course is accredited by the institute.          (c)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school   shall:                (1)  submit through the agency an application for   institute accreditation; and                 (2)  comply with all applicable procedural guidelines   established by the agency or the institute.          (d)  From funds appropriated or otherwise available, the   agency shall support school districts and open-enrollment charter   schools to attain institute accreditation by paying the costs of   required training, equipment upgrades, and application fees.          (e)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may   not spend money appropriated to the district or school for a course   related to automotive technology for a state fiscal year until the   district or school submits to the agency a report certifying the   district's or school's compliance with this section during the   preceding state fiscal year.          (e-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (e), a school district or   open-enrollment charter school that has not received institution   accreditation for a course related to automotive technology may   request an extension not to exceed one year from the agency. The   agency may grant one additional extension not to exceed one year to   a school district or open-enrollment charter school that   demonstrates a good faith effort to attain institute accreditation.   This subsection expires September 1, 2028.          (f)  The agency shall prepare and submit an annual written   report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house   of representatives, and standing committees with primary   jurisdiction over education that includes information on the   progress of implementing this section.          (g)  The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to   implement this section.          SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the   commissioner of education, in consultation with the State Board of   Education, shall adopt rules to implement Section 29.195, Education   Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2026-2027   school year.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.