The Senate Education K-16 Committee met Thursday to hear the committee substitute for House Bill (HB) 2. The 225-page committee substitute was made public about an hour before the hearing began. The bill contains a mix of positive and negative provisions; for more details, check out this Teach the Vote post. ATPE submitted written testimony on CSHB 2. ATPE members Stephanie Stoebe and Twila Figueroa, who both serve on the ATPE Board of Directors, testified “on” the bill and expressed both praise and concerns. (Click on Stoebe’s and Figueroa’s names to watch their testimony.) CSHB 2 was left pending. 

During the hearing on HB 2, the committee paused to vote on CSHB 6 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R–McKinney) relating to discipline in public schools. The committee voted 9-1 to advance the bill to the full Senate. ATPE submitted the following written testimony in support of CSHB 6. 

For the second week in a row, the Senate Education K-16 Committee did not convene for its regular Tuesday hearing. The committee instead held a formal meeting Tuesday afternoon where it voted to advance several bills relating to public education but heard neither new bills nor public testimony.  

In addition to bills related to higher education, the following bills impacting prekindergarten through Grade 12 were advanced by committee vote to the full Senate: 

• ATPE-supported HB 120 by Rep. Keith Bell (R–Athens) would expand access to career and technical education (CTE), providing students with clear pathways to high-wage, high-demand careers. It would also increase funding for instructional facilities and programs such as P-TECH, R-PEP, and FAST while supporting rural schools and strengthening advising services. The bill would help prepare students for success beyond high school, support educators through program growth and resources, and align with Texas' workforce needs and long-term economic goals. 
• ATPE-supported HB 210 by Rep. Ryan Guillen (R–Floresville) relates to contracting with a school district or open-enrollment charter school by a vendor with whom a member of the board of trustees or governing body of the district or school or a related individual has certain business interests. This bill creates a criminal offense and was reported favorably to the full Senate on an 11-0 vote. ATPE supports HB 210 because it promotes transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in public education. By closing loopholes and prohibiting vendors from doing business with school districts when board members or their relatives have financial interests in said vendors, the bill helps protect taxpayer dollars and maintain public trust. Ensuring fair contracting practices ultimately supports a more equitable and responsible use of resources that benefits students and educators alike.  
• ATPE-supported HB 1188 by Rep. Christian Manuel (D–Nederland) would ensure students with disabilities and their families are connected to critical services earlier instead of waiting for transition planning to begin. Early referral to local intellectual and developmental disability authorities (LIDDAs) can improve educational, employment, and independent living outcomes. This proactive approach would help support the long-term success of students receiving special education services. 
• HB 3126 by Rep. Drew Darby (R–San Angelo) would allow school districts and open-enrollment charter schools that have opted to leave TRS ActiveCare a one-time opportunity to rejoin the program without waiting for the five-year sit-out period. 
• HB 1458 by Rep. Will Metcalf (R–Conroe) would expand the eligibility of who can serve in the required role of armed security officer at a public school and allow school district police departments to appoint reserve police officers.  

With just 16 days left in the session, time is of the essence to pass desperately needed school funding bills. Although last night was a big deadline for the House, with many House bills dying, the Senate has until May 28 to consider all bills on second and third reading. Stay tuned to Teach the Vote.