1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing a legislative study group to review the 
1.3 	legislative auditor's 2016 report on kindergarten through grade 12 teacher 
1.4 	licensure and consider how to implement the recommendations; requiring a 
1.5 	report from the Board of Teaching.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP ON EDUCATOR LICENSURE.
 1.8 	(a) A 12-member legislative study group on educator licensure is created to review 
1.9 	the 2016 "Minnesota Teacher Licensure" report prepared by the Office of the Legislative 
1.10 	Auditor on teacher licensing and submit a written report by February 1, 2017, to the 
1.11 	legislature recommending how to restructure Minnesota's teacher licensure system by 
1.12 	consolidating all teacher licensure activities into a single state entity to ensure transparency 
1.13 	and consistency or, at a minimum, by clarifying existing teacher licensure responsibilities 
1.14 	to provide transparency and consistency. In developing its recommendations, the study 
1.15 	group is encouraged to consider the tiered licensure system recommended in the legislative 
1.16 	auditor's report, among other recommendations. The study group is encouraged to begin 
1.17 	its work by consulting with teachers currently teaching in Minnesota school districts, 
1.18 	charter schools, and nonpublic schools and with out-of-state teachers currently licensed or 
1.19 	seeking a license in Minnesota. The study group is encouraged to identify and include in 
1.20 	its report any statutory changes needed to implement the study group recommendations.
1.21 	(b) The legislative study group on educator licensure includes:
1.22 	(1) six duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives, 
1.23 	three appointed by the speaker of the house and three appointed by the house of 
1.24 	representatives minority leader, one of whom must be the current chair of the house of 
1.25 	representatives Education Innovation Policy Committee; and
2.1 	(2) six duly elected and currently serving senators, three appointed by the senate 
2.2 	majority leader and three appointed by the senate minority leader, one of whom must be 
2.3 	the current chair of the senate Education Committee.
2.4 	Only duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives or the 
2.5 	senate may be study group members.
2.6 	(c) The appointments must be made by June 1, 2016, and expire February 2, 2017. If 
2.7 	a vacancy occurs, the leader of the caucus in the house of representatives or senate to which 
2.8 	the vacating study group member belonged must fill the vacancy. The chair of the house of 
2.9 	representatives Education Innovation Policy Committee shall convene the first meeting of 
2.10 	the study group. The study group shall elect a chair or cochairs from among the members 
2.11 	at the first meeting. The study group must meet periodically. The Legislative Coordinating 
2.12 	Commission shall provide technical and administrative assistance upon request.
2.13 	(d) In reviewing the legislative auditor's report and developing its recommendations, 
2.14 	the study group must consult with the Board of Teaching, the licensing division of the 
2.15 	Department of Education, the Minnesota Board of School Administrators, and interested 
2.16 	and affected stakeholders.
2.17 	(e) The study group expires February 2, 2017, unless extended by law.

2.18 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.

2.19 	Sec. 2. BOARD OF TEACHING REPORT.
 2.20 	The Board of Teaching must prepare and submit a written report to the education 
2.21 	committees of the legislature by February 1, 2017, listing all statutory and rule requirements 
2.22 	on teacher preparation, examinations, and training applicable to candidates for teacher 
2.23 	licensure, by type of license and all statutory and rule requirements on continuing 
2.24 	education applicable to teachers seeking to renew a full professional teaching license.

2.25 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.