Sec. 28.0181. COMPUTER SCIENCE STRATEGIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) In this section, "advisory committee" means the computer science strategic advisory committee established under this section.

(b) The agency shall establish the computer science strategic advisory committee to develop and provide recommendations for increasing computer science instruction and participation in public schools.

(c) The advisory committee is composed of at least 11 members. The members must include:

(1) two members appointed by the governor;

(2) two members appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(3) two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(4) one member appointed by the chair of the senate committee with primary jurisdiction over primary and secondary education;

(5) one member appointed by the chair of the senate committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education;

(6) one member appointed by the chair of the house of representatives committee with primary jurisdiction over primary and secondary education;

(7) one member appointed by the chair of the house of representatives committee with primary jurisdiction over higher education;

(8) one member appointed by the chair of the State Board of Education; and

(9) any other members added by the advisory committee in a manner determined by the committee in the committee's discretion.

(d) In appointing members to the advisory committee, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall coordinate appointments to ensure that the six individuals appointed to the advisory committee collectively by those officers include:

(1) three educators who teach in a public school and are certified in computer science;

(2) one parent or person standing in parental relation to a student enrolled in a public school;

(3) one person employed in the technology industry; and

(4) one faculty member of an institution of higher education.

(e) The governor shall designate a member of the advisory committee as the presiding officer of the advisory committee to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor.

(f) The advisory committee may hold public meetings.

(g) Members of the advisory committee are not entitled to compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in fulfilling committee duties.

(h) Staff members of the agency shall provide administrative support for the advisory committee.

(i) Funding for the administrative and operational expenses of the advisory committee shall be provided by appropriation to the agency for that purpose.

(j) Not later than September 1, 2020, the advisory committee shall submit to the governor and the legislature a report that includes recommended changes to state law, including funding proposals and timelines for the implementation of the recommended changes. The report shall include recommendations that are intended to:

(1) increase the number of certified computer science teachers;

(2) increase the number of public high schools offering computer science courses;

(3) increase the number of high school students enrolled in computer science courses;

(4) encourage the enrollment of diverse student populations in computer science courses; and

(5) expand computer science learning opportunities, including computer programming, computer coding, cybersecurity, and computational thinking, in public schools.

(k) The advisory committee is abolished and this section expires January 1, 2021.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1149 (H.B. 2984), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2019.