The bill proposes the establishment of the Office of Inspector General within the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to oversee and investigate the administration of public education. This new office will be responsible for detecting and preventing wrongdoing, fraud, waste, and abuse within local education agencies, including school districts and charter schools. The commissioner of the TEA will appoint an inspector general to lead the office, which will be equipped with the necessary staff and resources to conduct investigations efficiently. The office will have the authority to conduct civil and administrative investigations, receive complaints, and issue subpoenas to compel witness attendance and document production.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 39.003(a) of the Education Code to include the Office of Inspector General as a body authorized to conduct special investigations into allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse in public education administration. This amendment expands the scope of investigations that can be initiated by the commissioner, ensuring that the new office plays a critical role in maintaining accountability within the education system. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 39.003 (Education Code 39)