H.B. No. 117         AN ACT   relating to the establishment of the governor's task force on the   governance of early childhood education and care.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 455 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 455. GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON GOVERNANCE OF EARLY   CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE          Sec. 455.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "task force"   means the governor's task force on the governance of early   childhood education and care established under this chapter.          Sec. 455.002.  ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The governor's task   force on the governance of early childhood education and care is   established to address the governance and operational challenges of   the early childhood education system in this state.           (b)  The task force is administratively attached to the Texas   Education Agency.          Sec. 455.003.  MEMBERS. (a) The task force shall include a   steering committee composed of the following members:                (1)  the executive commissioner of the Health and Human   Services Commission;                 (2)  the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency;                 (3)  the chair of the Texas Workforce Commission;                (4)  relevant division directors designated by the   individuals described by Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3); and                (5)  the Texas Education Agency's inter-agency deputy   director of early childhood support.          (b)  The task force is composed of the following members:                (1)  one public school teacher certified to teach   prekindergarten;                (2)  one certified teacher who is employed by a private   child-care facility or prekindergarten program;                (3)  a representative from the Texas Head Start State   Collaboration Office appointed by the governor;                (4)  a representative from the Department of State   Health Services appointed by the governor;                (5)  two representatives from the Texas Early Learning   Council designated by the steering committee described by   Subsection (a); and                (6)  at least two but not more than five individuals   with knowledge of early childhood education and care or experience   as a direct operator of an early childhood education and care   program, including business and community leaders, representatives   of nonprofit organizations, and other relevant stakeholders,   appointed by the governor.          (c)  The governor shall appoint the chair of the task force.           (d)  Chapter 2110 does not apply to the size, composition, or   duration of the task force.          Sec. 455.004.  POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:                (1)  examine governance and operational challenges in   the early childhood education and care system, including federal   and local child-care programs and regulations governing those   programs;                (2)  develop and recommend standards for high quality   prekindergarten programs, including programs under Subchapter E-1,   Chapter 29, Education Code;                (3)  with a focus on improving government efficiency,   conduct a comprehensive review of the existing functions and   responsibilities of the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas   Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission related to early   childhood education and care; and                (4)  consider methods for a large-scale redesign of the   administration of early childhood programs to improve efficiency,   service delivery, quality of care, and the efficient use of   funding.          (b)  The steering committee of the task force shall:                (1)  align goals and metrics of the Health and Human   Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce   Commission to measure progress, including aligning statewide data   systems; and                (2)  require the Health and Human Services Commission,   Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission to complete   and submit to the task force periodic progress reports and   regularly refine statewide goals and strategic plans to ensure   alignment with evolving early childhood education and care needs.          (c)  From money appropriated or otherwise available for the   purpose, the Texas Education Agency shall pay the costs of data   system integration, research, and administration for the task   force.          Sec. 455.005.  REPORT.  Not later than December 1, 2026, the   task force shall develop and submit to the legislature policy and   budget recommendations designed to improve early childhood   education and care governance that will:                (1)  facilitate and improve early childhood education   and care participant engagement with state agencies; and                (2)  lead to improved operational efficiency,   increased affordable child care capacity, and improved   kindergarten readiness.          Sec. 455.006.  EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and   this chapter expires September 1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  An entity to which Chapter 455, Government Code,   as added by this Act, applies is required to implement a provision   of this Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically   for that purpose.  If the legislature does not appropriate money   specifically for that purpose, an entity may, but is not required   to, implement a provision of this Act using other money available   for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 117 was passed by the House on April   17, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 103, Nays 40, 2 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 117 on May 30, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 110, Nays 23,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 117 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 25, Nays   6.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor