The bill, H.B. No. 5089, proposes amendments to the Education Code regarding the creation of a new school district through the detachment of territory from an existing district. A key change is the definition of "board" to refer specifically to the State Board of Education. The process for initiating the detachment is revised to require a petition presented to the board, signed by at least 20% of registered voters in the area to be detached, rather than a resolution from the board of trustees of the existing districts. Additionally, the bill mandates that the board must hold a hearing on the petition's validity within 30 days of receipt.

Further amendments include the requirement for the board to adopt a rule creating the new district if all conditions are met, replacing the previous need for a commissioners court order. The bill also introduces provisions for the equitable allocation of indebtedness and personal property among the existing districts and the new district, taking into account property values and taxable values. Title to real property in the detached territory will vest in the new district, which will assume liability for any allocated outstanding indebtedness. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 13.103, Education Code 13.104, Education Code 13.105 (Education Code 13)