Several K-12 bills were added to the hearing agenda after the original hearing notice was released. See below.
The Senate Committee on Education K-16 will begin meeting at 9:45 a.m. Thursday, May 22, to hear testimony on a mix of bills on K-12 and higher education that have been passed by the Senate. The following K-12 bills are on the agenda:
HB 4 Buckley, et al. (Senate sponsor: Bettencourt) – This is the engrossed version of the major school accountability and assessment bill. Read the House Research Organization analysis of the bill.
Bill added after original hearing notice posted:
HB 20 Gates (Senate sponsor: Schwertner) – This bill would establish the Applied Sciences Pathway program, which would integrate high school education with vocational training by enabling students to earn both a high school diploma and a certificate in high-demand industries.
HB 610 Leo Wilson, et al. (Senate sponsor: Paxton) – The bill limits severance payments for superintendents in independent school districts to a maximum of six months’ salary and benefits, down from the previous limit of one year. It also mandates reporting of severance payment terms to the commissioner of education and adjusts Foundation School Program funds to reflect any excess payments.
HB 1868 Leo Wilson, et al. (Senate sponsor: Zaffirini) – This bill relates to a study on changes to performance tier funding for dual credit or dual enrollment courses under the public junior college state finance program and the capacity of the state’s workforce to teach dual credit or dual enrollment courses. The bill introduces performance tier funding based on measurable outcomes.
HB 2598 Button, et al. (Senate sponsor: Zaffirini) – The bill redefines and standardizes the licensing and practice of school psychologists in Texas, aligning their credentials and practices with nationally recognized standards.
Bill added after original hearing notice posted:
HB 3372 (Metcalf) – The bill would regulate the activities of school district administrators by prohibiting them from engaging in personal services or receiving financial benefits from entities that have business dealings with their school district or are involved in educational services. It introduces penalties for violations and repeals a related section of the Education Code.
HB 3629 Noble, et al. (Senate sponsor: Zaffirini) – The bill prohibits individuals required to register as sex offenders from serving as trustees on the boards of Texas ISDs. This restriction applies to terms beginning or vacancies occurring after the bill’s effective date.
Bill added after original hearing notice posted:
HB 4236 Fischer (Senate sponsor: Bettencourt) – The bill establishes a task force to evaluate the property value study conducted by the comptroller of public accounts, aiming to assess its impacts, administrative burdens, and effectiveness. The task force would explore alternative methods for determining taxable property values to ensure equitable financial aid distribution for public education. Recommendations would be submitted to state leadership by November 1, 2026, with the task force dissolving by June 1, 2027.
Bill added after original hearing notice posted:
HB 4623 Little (Senate sponsor: Paxton) – The bill establishes liability for public schools and their professional employees for certain injuries to students, including sexual misconduct, failure to report abuse, and other negligent acts. It waives governmental and official immunity for such cases, allowing for legal actions and damages against schools and employees.
HB 4687 Gervin-Hawkins, et al. (Senate sponsor: Bettencourt) – The bill extends immunity from liability to charter school campuses, programs, and their governing bodies, aligning their legal protections with those of traditional public school districts.
