HF 2861

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/24/2016 04:36pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a legislative task force to review the legislative
auditor's 2016 report on kindergarten through grade 12 teacher licensure and
consider how to implement the recommendations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON KINDERGARTEN THROUGH
GRADE 12 TEACHER LICENSURE.
new text end

new text begin (a) A 12-member legislative task force on kindergarten through grade 12 teacher
licensure is created to review the 2016 report prepared by the Office of the Legislative
Auditor on the Minnesota teacher licensure program and submit a written report by
February 1, 2017, to the legislature recommending how to: restructure Minnesota's
teacher licensure system by consolidating all teacher licensure activities into a single state
entity to ensure transparency and consistency; or, at a minimum, clarify existing teacher
licensure responsibilities to provide transparency and consistency. In developing its
recommendations, the task force must consider the tiered licensure system recommended
in the legislative auditor's report, among other recommendations. The task force must
identify and include in its report any statutory changes needed to implement the task
force recommendations.
new text end

new text begin (b) The legislative task force on kindergarten through grade 12 teacher licensure
includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) six duly elected and currently serving senators, three appointed by the senate
majority leader and three appointed by the senate minority leader; and
new text end

new text begin (2) six duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives,
three appointed by the speaker of the house and three appointed by the house minority
leader.
new text end

new text begin Only duly elected and currently serving members of the senate or house of representatives
may be task force members.
new text end

new text begin (c) The appointments must be made by June 1, 2016, and expire February 2, 2017. If
a vacancy occurs, the leader of the caucus in the house of representatives or senate to which
the vacating task force member belonged must fill the vacancy. A house of representatives
member appointed by the speaker of the house shall convene the first meeting of the
task force. The task force shall elect a chair or cochairs from among the members at
the first meeting. The task force must meet periodically. The Legislative Coordinating
Commission shall provide technical and administrative assistance upon request.
new text end

new text begin (d) In reviewing the legislative auditor's report and developing its recommendations,
the task force must consult with interested and affected stakeholders, including
representatives of Education Minnesota, MinnCAN, the Minnesota Rural Education
Association, the Association of Metropolitan School Districts, the Minnesota Association
of Colleges of Teacher Education, the College of Education and Human Development at
the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the Minnesota
Private College Council, the Minnesota School Boards Association, the Minnesota
Elementary School Principals Association, the Minnesota Association of Secondary
School Principals, the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, the Minnesota
American Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Councils of Color, and Minnesota Teach
For America, among other stakeholders.
new text end

new text begin (e) The task force expires on February 2, 2017, unless extended by law.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end