After issuing the hearing notice on Monday, May 19, the committee added two additional bills later that afternoon. See below.
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 will begin meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, to hear testimony on the following bills, which have all been passed by the House:
HB 121 King – This bill relates to public school safety, including the commissioning of peace officers by TEA, the composition of the board of directors of the Texas School Safety Center, public school safety and security requirements and resources, and the reporting of child abuse or neglect by public school employees. The bill mandates comprehensive safety measures for schools, including the development of emergency operation plans, enhanced communication systems, and mandatory safety audits. It also establishes protocols for mental health support and the inclusion of specialized personnel in threat assessments.
HB 126 Tepper et al. – The bill regulates the compensation and professional representation of student athletes in intercollegiate athletic programs at certain higher education institutions. It establishes guidelines for earning compensation through name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, while ensuring compliance with institutional and athletic association rules.
HB 322 Guillen et al. – The bill expands the scope of the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program to include funding for technology solutions and infrastructure necessary for CTE programs. It also specifies the use of grants for high-demand occupation training and dual credit courses.
Bill added after original hearing notice posted:
HB 367 Menéndez – The bill would amend the Education Code to provide a standardized process for excusing absences of students with severe or life-threatening illnesses. It mandates the adoption of a specific form for medical certification and limits the documentation requirements for such absences.
HB 1178 Cunningham et al. – The bill introduces a temporary educator certification for individuals certified in other states. It establishes eligibility criteria, including holding a valid out-of-state certification and a bachelor’s degree, and sets expiration terms for the temporary certification.
HB 1481 Fairly et al. – Relating to school district and open-enrollment charter school policies regarding student use of personal communication devices. The bill mandates school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to establish policies regulating student use of personal communication devices during school hours, with exceptions for specific educational or health-related needs.
HB 2243 Oliverson et al. – The bill establishes the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention to address issues affecting teacher satisfaction and retention rates. It outlines the commission’s structure, responsibilities, and operational guidelines.
HB 2310 Ordaz et al. – The bill mandates the development of a strategic plan to enhance early learning and educational opportunities for young children with disabilities in Texas. It involves collaboration among state agencies to identify barriers, propose policy changes, and implement strategies for inclusion in educational settings.
HB 2674 Cook et al. – The bill prohibits the regulation of homeschool programs by TEA, the State Board of Education, or any educational institution described in the Education Code. It specifies that no rules should be made that increase regulation on educational programs defined under Section 29.916(a)(1).
HB 3062 Guerra et al. – The bill mandates public higher education institutions in Texas to provide research-based instruction on fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness to new undergraduate students, starting from the 2026 fall semester.
HB 3627 Tepper et al. – The bill proposes amendments to the Education Code to allow the chair of the State Board of Education to employ personnel necessary for board operations, with these employees receiving state employment benefits and being directly accountable to the chair. It also mandates that TEA provide administrative support services to the board.
Bill added after original hearing notice posted:
HB 5515 Buckley
The bill would regulate the pricing and delivery of instructional materials for Texas public schools, ensuring fair pricing and transparency in shipping costs. It mandates publishers to align prices with the lowest offered in the U.S., prohibits inflated shipping charges, and enforces quality and factual accuracy standards.
