Bills: HB 102, HB 126, HB 271, HB 290, HB 300, HB 538, HB 718, HB 1022, HB 1330, HB 2110, HJR 5

Keywords: military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, tuition assistance, military, Texas State Guard, education, mandatory fees, scholarship, Texas Armed Services, student access, academic records

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1662 requires the State Board of Education, the Washington Professional Educator Standards
• services and to develop an individualized education program, or IEP, that describes the special education
• Educational placement and the provision of a free appropriate public education.
• placement, and the provision of a free appropriate public education. ...educational placement and the
• Department of Education, and it enumerates various requirements for the Secretary of Education, SEAs,

Bills: HB1662, HB1683, HB2534, HB2557, HB2594

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, military families, child stability, transitional schooling, support services, special education, parental rights, educational access, evaluation reports, disability services, unhoused

Summary: The House Education Committee met in executive session on House Bill 1662 and House Bill 1683, then moved into public hearing on House Bill 2534, House Bill 2557, and House Bill 2594. HB 1662, as a third substitute, would require several education-related boards and commissions to transition to independent administrative services and operational independence, with OSPI providing transition support through the 2027 fiscal year. Members and the prime sponsor emphasized agency independence and better use of funds; the committee voted 19-0 to report the bill out with a do pass recommendation. HB 1683 would set minimum numbers of school directors elected by director district for certain school districts, with the substitute changing enrollment thresholds and effective dates. Supporters said it would improve representation for parents and students, while opponents argued it would impose an unfunded mandate and micromanage local districts. The committee approved the substitute bill 11-8, also with a do pass recommendation. During public hearing, HB 2534 drew broad support from school officials, military family advocates, and education groups. The bill would expand enrollment flexibility for military-connected students, allow pre-arrival enrollment, extend proof-of-residency timelines, and require quicker handling of IEP and Section 504 transfers; several witnesses supported the goal but asked for a technical amendment to avoid shortening evaluation timelines. HB 2557 would require school districts to provide parents or guardians a copy of special education evaluation reports five school days before eligibility meetings; supporters said this would help families prepare, while school psychologists and some district staff warned it could compress already tight evaluation timelines and delay services. HB 2594 would codify McKinney-Vento homeless student protections into state law, assign related duties to OSPI and districts, and require periodic state reporting; it received strong support from advocates, school staff, and the prime sponsor, who said it would strengthen stability, accountability, and access for homeless students. The committee adjourned after public testimony, noting the bills could be eligible for executive action the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Senate Education Committee, will come to order. Members, thank you very much.
• I have worked with higher education regents to develop this language.
• I think would be an incredible educational experience for kids.
• Again, for a lot of times, my wife was an educator.
• My mother spent 7 years in public education, and my father 5.

Bills: SB1726, SB1236, SB1633, SB1413, SB1317, SB1360, SB1342, SB1477, SB1189, SB1546, SB1524, SB1338, SB1193, SB1812, SB1617

Keywords: higher education, graduate instructors, training program, academic integrity, First Amendment rights, administrative reporting, education, consolidation, board, public schools, resident tuition, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, state scholarships, financial aid, immigration status, undocumented students, noncitizen students, lawfully present, postsecondary education benefits, college tuition

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Education Committee will come to order. Members, thank you very much.
• I have worked with higher education regents to develop this language.
• I think that would be an incredible educational experience for kids.
• Education Committee. And so I think that's what's in our purview.
• Report those results to the State Department of Education.

Bills: SB1726, SB1236, SB1633, SB1413, SB1317, SB1360, SB1342, SB1477, SB1189, SB1546, SB1524, SB1338, SB1193, SB1812, SB1617

Keywords: higher education, graduate instructors, training program, academic integrity, First Amendment rights, administrative reporting, education, consolidation, board, public schools, resident tuition, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, state scholarships, financial aid, immigration status, undocumented students, noncitizen students, lawfully present, postsecondary education benefits, college tuition

Summary: The Senate Education Committee heard and advanced a large slate of education bills. Early measures included SB 1726, requiring formal training for university teaching assistants before they teach classes and evaluate students, with emphasis on First Amendment rights; SB 1236, creating an Administrative Report Consolidation Act to reduce duplicative reporting by schools and agencies; SB 1633, codifying existing higher education residency tuition practices; SB 1413, requiring notice to parents when a teacher is emergency certified and limiting adjunct teachers to 270 clock hours per semester; SB 1317, allowing career teacher status to be portable across districts with local board approval; and SB 1360, expanding the state’s math initiative by restoring instructional coaches and creating a math office at the State Department of Education. Most of these bills passed on favorable votes, with SB 1413 drawing some concern over teacher shortages and the adjunct-hour cap, but still passing.

Transcript Highlights:

• at Texas Higher Education.
• The Education Coordinating Board, and Mr.
• I serve as a senior education advisor to the Fort Worth Mayor's Council and work in education with Tarrant
• Department of Education or its successor, ensuring continuity.
• . education, and whether or not that investment is worth it.

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1322 supports Texas' higher education institutions by establishing a Texas Higher Education Accreditation
• The bill amends the Texas Education Code by establishing the Texas Higher Education Accrediting Commission
• We have the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• Members, this bill relates to the bilingual education policies. ...education allotment under the public
• During this inspection, it was very apparent that education was... ...or educational quality was not

Bills: SB1998, SB646, SB2786, SB2076, SB2615, SB1961, SB1418, SB2647, SB1322, SB2788

Keywords: pediatrics, medical education, subsidiary, preceptorship, medical training, student programs, mental health, loan repayment, education funding, mental health professionals, healthcare access, Texas Success Initiative, exemption, public officers, employees, higher education, Capitol view, Austin, urban planning, construction

Bills: SB 49, SB 60, SB 365, SB 685, SB 895, SB 1191, SB 1400, SB 1401, SB 1786

Keywords: junior college funding, performance tier, credentials, education, workforce development, Texas education law, performance tier funding, junior college, Texas education, student success, performance funding, education policy, state finance program, public junior colleges, educational outcomes, academic fresh start, higher education, student admissions, Texas Education Code, public university

Transcript Highlights:

• And Penny is the new Republican caucus staff member on my side for education, far more educated than
• Sports is not physical education.
• Physical education is the core part of a student's basic education.
• It takes the education out of physical education.
• Disabilities Education Act must have an individualized education program, or IEP.

Bills: SB5952, SB5961, SB5969, SB5841, SB5943

Keywords: physical education, school districts, student requirements, education policy, high school, early literacy, childhood literacy, book distribution, Imagination Library, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, preschool, pre-K, reading readiness, school readiness, birth to age five, young children, nonprofit contract, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, DCYF

Summary: The committee began with a work session on Washington’s child care oversight and subsidy system, with senators and DCYF officials describing Working Connections Child Care, Early Achievers, licensing, attendance tracking, annual unannounced inspections, and audit processes. DCYF said more than 63,000 families were determined eligible in 2025, about 37,000 were on the caseload, and licensed providers total about 6,600. Officials emphasized that payments go directly to providers after eligibility and authorization are confirmed, and that random and focused audits, along with referrals to the Office of Fraud and Accountability, are used to address overpayments and suspected fraud. Child Care Aware and a Vancouver provider also testified about quality coaching, tiered reimbursement, and the practical realities of inspections and family care settings. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5952, which would standardize the process for waiving high school physical education requirements. Student testifiers supported the bill as a fairness measure that would create a uniform waiver process across districts and help students fit in AP, career, or other coursework within limited six-period schedules. Opponents, including PE teachers and school health advocates, argued that athletics are not equivalent to physical education and warned that a statewide waiver template could weaken PE instruction and student health. The State Board of Education supported the bill as a way to reduce inequity in local waiver practices, while school principals opposed it and said the issue is better addressed through broader graduation-requirement work. Next, the committee took testimony on Senate Bill 5961, which would move the Imagination Library of Washington from DCYF to OSPI. The sponsor and supporters said the change would better align the program with early literacy and the birth-to-grade-three continuum, while preserving a program that currently serves about 120,000 children in all 39 counties. OSPI, the program director, and local partners testified in support, saying the transfer would improve accountability and fit the program’s education mission. The committee then began hearing Senate Bill 5969, which would allow a student’s IEP transition plan to satisfy the high school and beyond plan requirement if the IEP team determines that is appropriate; the sponsor said the bill is intended to reduce barriers for students with disabilities and free up time and resources, but the testimony was only beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• For students and public institutions of higher education.
• Agency, the State Board of Education, and any other state educational institution from making rules
• Specifically, I described the section... section 29.916A1 of the Education Code.
• services provider, and gender of educational products or program participants.
• and eventually to broader special education services.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515, HB126, HB121

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Board of Education, the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, the Financial Education
• The State Board of Education, the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, and the Financial
• to do is to help train our educators to be able to effectively teach financial education skills and
• to do is to help train our education education, public-private partnership to do is to help train our
• educators to be able to effectively teach financial education skills and knowledge to children as young

Bills: HB1662, HB1683

Keywords: education agencies, administrative independence, superintendent, education reform, agency authority, education, school boards, district adjustments, administrative boundaries, educational governance, 904, all

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on House Bill 1662 and House Bill 1683. HB 1662 would move several education-related boards and commissions, including the State Board of Education, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Financial Education Public-Private Partnership, and the Charter School Commission, out from under OSPI’s administrative services and toward independent administration by July 1, 2027. Committee staff explained the bill was in a third substitute only because of the biennium process and said the substance was unchanged from the version previously advanced by Appropriations, aside from date updates. Supportive testimony from agency leaders and others emphasized that OSPI’s current administrative structure creates delays, extra approval layers, less transparency in indirect costs, and limits on agency autonomy; one witness said the bill would improve efficiency and fiscal accountability. The bill was heard only; no vote was taken. HB 1683 would require school districts above certain enrollment thresholds to elect a minimum number of directors from geographic director districts rather than entirely at-large, with smaller districts exempt. The prime sponsor, Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self, said the goal was fairer geographic and demographic representation so all parts of a district have a voice. Committee staff and OSPI testimony supported the concept, citing research that district-based or proportional systems can broaden representation and noting that about 23 districts would be out of compliance as written. Opponents, including WSSDA, argued the bill is an unfunded mandate that would increase election costs, reduce local control, and could make it harder to recruit candidates in some areas. Other testimony was mixed: some witnesses supported the bill as a way to improve equity and representation, while one suggested a different proportional representation model. The committee closed the public hearing without taking action on either bill.

Bills: HB169, HB169

Keywords: education trust fund, appropriations, budget, fiscal year 2026, public education, K-12, pre-K, early childhood education, community colleges, higher education, Alabama Community College System, teacher pay, teacher stipend, school nurses, literacy, numeracy, reading coaches, math and science teachers, career and technical education, CTE

Transcript Highlights:

• The Education K-16 meeting will begin. Senator Eckhardt, we will start with you.
• Members, we can all appreciate the benefits of higher education.
• SB 2430 establishes Chapter 51B in the Texas Education Code to regulate higher education institutions
• Additionally, education software from foreign adversaries is removed. ...from higher education.
• Well, thank you all for being here today for the Committee on Education.

Bills: SB750, SB2995, SB1716, SB2430, SB203, SB1679, SB2683, SB1414

Keywords: tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, public institutions, laboratory fees, education code, financial aid, education, student support, scholarships, nontraditional education, student enrollment, financial assistance, Texas students, foreign adversaries, trade secrets, research integrity, security measures, international agreements, student privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• And education funding.
• </c> Education. That is misplaced priorities. Education. That is misplaced priorities.
• for special education.
• </c> But, special education isn't optional. But, special education isn't optional.
• </c> K-12 education system. K-12 education system.

Bills: HF3493, HF4114

Keywords: safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, special education, funding, education finance, appropriations, budget, cross subsidy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :24.320><c> with</c> Taber Samuelson, veteran educator with Taber Samuelson, veteran educator with 30
• </c><00:21:11.960><c> So,</c> better education there. So, better education there.
• </c> levels of education. levels of education.
• of Education.
• </c> education finance. education finance.

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Transcript Highlights:

• We started our public hearing in the Joint Committee on Education.
• I come to you as an education attorney who works to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline.
• So was that, do you know, was that the Judiciary Committee when you said, because we in education haven
• I’m an independent educational watchdog and forum initiative.
• So I go district to district, and I ask many different families involved with special education what

Bills: H3895, H5157

Keywords: career education, technical training, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute, pilot program, youth education, school safety, education, mental health, children, security measures, 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• members, for allowing me to lay out House Bill 1876, the Country Centennial Career and Technical Education
• House Bill 1876 seeks to establish a career and technical education reporting grant program administered
• by the Texas Education Agency.
• They should receive credit for industry-based experience outside of education.
• So I work for the Texas Education Agency. I haven't been in contact with anyone from TRS. Okay.

Bills: HB 1057, HB1876

Keywords: teacher salary, retirement benefits, career education, work experience credit, Texas Education Code, technical training, workforce development, grants, education funding, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I call the Education Finance Committee to order.
• I would like to welcome the Assistant Commissioner from the Minnesota Department of Education. of Education
• Our Department of Education has resources for these educational leaders who have been here for three
• To the community education formula.
• with educators.

Bills: HF2430, HF2433

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation

Transcript Highlights:

• Deputy Commissioner of Texas Higher Education Coordination Board.
• It's to provide an education that. everyone can access.
• Administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordination Board to support institutions of higher education
• This program supports Texas Institute of higher education in conducting research and education on regenerative
• I didn't come out with an agricultural education at all.

Bills: HB3032, HB3434, HB3574, HB5339, HB5646

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it says that... ...education.
• of Education.
• This is a sex education bill.
• Key content of sex education... ...success.
• Rather than educating about healthy behavior, comprehensive sex education indoctrinates youth with the

Bills: SB166, HB365, HB272, HB232, HB234, SB278, SB277

Keywords: Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, STEM, science education, technology education, engineering education, math education, workforce development, career pathways, Alabama STEM Council, Department of Workforce, education policy, higher education, community colleges, K-12 education, teacher pipeline, STEM careers

Transcript Highlights:

• According to Pew, 79% of educators, according to the National Education Association, say they're disruptive
• On the educator side, the Professional Educator Standards Board adopted endorsement competency standards
• and educator preparation programs will move forward.
• and educator preparation programs will move forward.
• We want our children engaged, educated, and present.

Bills: SB6192, SB6206, SB5346, SB6125, SB5841, SB5907, SB5951

Keywords: education, reading, mathematics, student intervention, instruction, academic standards, child care, first responders, incentives, pilot program, mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones, school phones, classroom distraction, digital citizenship, media literacy, internet safety, cyberbullying, student mental health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education-related bills. Senate Bill 6192 would require structured literacy and numeracy programs, add math interventions similar to the existing third-grade reading “gate,” create annual STAR teacher bonuses for selected math and ELA teachers, and revise literacy endorsement standards. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to refocus schools on core academics and use research-based instruction, while OSPI and ESD representatives supported the goal but raised implementation concerns about data access and the teacher award process. Testimony was mixed: some parents and students said the bill could help struggling readers and math students, while others, including WEA and several witnesses, opposed merit pay, grade retention, and what they viewed as overreliance on standardized testing or a single reading approach. Senate Bill 6206 would create a Commerce-run pilot program to incentivize child care providers serving children of first responders, especially during nonstandard hours, on short notice, and when children are ill. The sponsor and multiple law enforcement, dispatch, and labor witnesses described child care as a major barrier to recruitment and retention, particularly for women and shift workers. Committee questions focused on how the proposal would relate to existing DCYF child care subsidies and nonstandard-hours bonuses, and whether Commerce was the right agency to administer the program. Testimony was strongly supportive overall. Senate Bill 5346 would direct OSPI to incorporate mobile device use into digital citizenship instruction and report on school phone policies and barriers, with final recommendations due in 2028. Supporters, including students, parents, educators, and researchers, said phones distract from learning, contribute to social and mental health problems, and can be addressed through bell-to-bell restrictions. Opponents argued that local school boards should decide policy, that phones can be important for safety, communication, and medical needs, and that the bill was too vague. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6125, which would stabilize school funding for districts, charter schools, and tribal compact schools if enrollment-based state revenue falls below prior-year levels; the sponsor and witnesses said it would provide short-term stability amid declining enrollment and budget uncertainty. The committee then moved into executive session on Senate Bill 5841, which would require evidence of a financial aid application in high school and beyond plans.