89R10937 MM-D     By: Schoolcraft H.B. No. 117       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   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 commissioner 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)  a representative from the Texas Head Start State   Collaboration Office appointed by the governor;                (2)  a representative from the Department of State   Health Services appointed by the governor;                (3)  representatives from the Texas Early Learning   Council designated by the steering committee described by   Subsection (a); and                (4)  individuals with knowledge of or experience with   early childhood education and care, 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)  To the extent of a conflict with this chapter, Chapter   2110 does not apply to 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)  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;                (3)  assess the need for a large-scale redesign of the   administration of early childhood programs to improve service   delivery, quality of care, and the efficient use of funding;                (4)  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                (5)  require the Health and Human Services Commission,   Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission to complete   periodic progress reports and regularly refine statewide goals and   strategic plans to ensure alignment with evolving early childhood   education and care needs and collaboration with the Texas Early   Learning Council.          (b)  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 lead to 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.  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.