The bill proposes the establishment of the Office of Inspector General within the Texas Education Agency, aimed at investigating the administration of public education. It introduces a new subchapter in the Education Code, which defines key terms such as "fraud" and "local education agency," and outlines the responsibilities and powers of the office. The inspector general, appointed by the commissioner, will oversee investigations into wrongdoing, fraud, waste, and abuse within school districts and other educational entities. The office will have the authority to conduct 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 a provision that allows the Office of Inspector General 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 authorized by the commissioner, ensuring that the office can address various issues related to educational integrity and compliance. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

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