Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 1; Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 8 and Title 49.

This bill requires a confirmation vote by the general assembly for the position of commissioner of education, provides a process for the general assembly to remove the commissioner from office, and requires the commissioner to submit a strategic plan to the state board of education for approval. Under present law, the governor appoints the commissioner of education. This bill makes that appointment subject to confirmation by the general assembly. If the general assembly is not in session when the governor appoints the commissioner, then the commissioner's appointment will be effective unless the appointment is not confirmed during the next regular session of the general assembly. If either house fails to confirm the commissioner's appointment within 90 calendar days after the general assembly next convenes in regular session following the appointment, then the commissioner's appointment terminates on the day following the 90 days. This bill authorizes the general assembly to remove the commissioner from office by approving a joint resolution by a 2/3 vote in the senate and house of representatives. This bill requires the commissioner to develop a strategic plan for the department of education that outlines the education policy goals and objectives of the department. Once the commissioner's appointment has been confirmed by the general assembly, the commissioner must submit the plan to the state board of education for approval before the plan is implemented. This bill states the intent of the general assembly that this bill be given retroactive application, so that: (1) The commissioner of education serving at the time this bill becomes law will be subject to confirmation by joint resolution of the senate and house in order to continue serving as chief executive of the department; and (2) The commissioner must submit any strategic plan developed for the department, that is being implemented on the day this bill becomes law, to the state board of education for approval in order for the department to continue implementing the plan.