Bill > HB117

This bill establishes the Governor's Task Force on the Governance of Early Childhood Education and Care, a temporary body designed to address challenges in Texas's early childhood education system. The task force will consist of a steering committee composed of key state agency leaders and additional members including educators, representatives from Head Start and health services, and stakeholders with early childhood education expertise. The task force's primary responsibilities include examining governance and operational challenges in early childhood education, developing standards for high-quality prekindergarten programs, reviewing the functions of relevant state agencies (Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission), and considering methods to redesign and improve early childhood program administration. The steering committee will specifically work to align goals, metrics, and data systems across agencies. By December 1, 2026, the task force is required to submit policy and budget recommendations aimed at improving participant engagement, operational efficiency, child care capacity, and kindergarten readiness. The task force will be administratively attached to the Texas Education Agency, which will cover its administrative costs, and will be automatically abolished on September 1, 2027. Implementation of the task force is contingent on specific legislative funding, and the bill will take effect either immediately with a two-thirds legislative vote or on September 1, 2025.