TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY POWERS AND DUTIES.

(a) The agency shall perform the educational functions provided by Subsection (b).

(b)(1) The agency shall administer and monitor compliance with education programs required by federal or state law, including federal funding and state funding for those programs.

(2) The agency shall conduct research, analysis, and reporting to improve teaching and learning.

(3) The agency shall conduct hearings involving state school law at the direction and under the supervision of the commissioner.

(4) The agency shall establish and implement pilot programs established by this title.

(5) The agency shall carry out the duties relating to the investment capital fund under Section 7.024.

(6) The agency shall develop and implement a teacher recruitment program as provided by Section 21.004.

(7) The agency shall carry out duties under the Texas Advanced Placement Incentive Program under Subchapter C, Chapter 28.

(8) The agency shall carry out powers and duties relating to community education as required under Subchapter H, Chapter 29.

(9) The agency shall develop a program of instruction in driver education and traffic safety as provided by Section 29.902.

(10) The agency shall carry out duties assigned under Section 30.002 concerning children who have visual impairments, are deaf or hard of hearing, or are deaf-blind.

(11) The agency shall carry out powers and duties related to regional day school programs for the deaf as provided under Subchapter D, Chapter 30.

(12) The agency shall establish and maintain an electronic information transfer system as required under Section 32.032, maintain and expand telecommunications capabilities of school districts and regional education service centers as required under Section 32.033, and establish technology demonstration programs as required under Section 32.035.

(13) The agency shall review school district budgets, audit reports, and other fiscal reports as required under Sections 44.008 and 44.010 and prescribe forms for financial reports made by or for school districts to the commissioner or the agency as required under Section 44.009.

(14) The agency shall cooperate with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in connection with the Texas partnership and scholarship program under Subchapter Q, Chapter 61.

(c) The agency may enter into an agreement with a federal agency concerning a project related to education, including the provision of school lunches and the construction of school buildings. Not later than the 30th day before the date the agency enters into an agreement under this subsection concerning a new project or reauthorizing a project, the agency must provide written notice, including a description of the project, to:

(1) the governor;

(2) the Legislative Budget Board; and

(3) the presiding officers of the standing committees of the senate and of the house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over the agency.