Final bill summaries - 2023

All bills below passed the House and Senate and were sent to the governor. All are now law with one exception, SB 361 (allowing teachers to serve on appraisal boards), which was vetoed by Gov. Abbott.

Because of the number of bills passed and the complexity of many of them, this page is subject to additions and revisions as we continue to comb through the legislation. If you would like to see actual bill language, click on the bill number.

Major Bills

HB 1 Bonnen/Huffman

Appropriations bill/state budget, including funding levels for public schools. Does not include new general public education funding (e.g., an increase in the basic allotment) or specific funding for salary increases. Go here to see highlights of the budget provided by the Legislative Budget Board.

HB 3 Burrows/Nichols

The primary school safety bill of this session. It includes many provisions regarding school safety, including the requirement that districts have at least one armed security officer at each campus; employees regularly interacting with students must complete mental health training (unless they have already done so); TEA will create a new office of safety and security; and districts will receive enhanced funding for school safety. Go here for more details. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HJR 2 Bonnen/Huffman

Voters must approve this constitutional amendment on the November 2023 ballot to authorize the cost-of-living adjustment for retirees in SB 10 (see below).

SB 10 Huffman/Bonnen

TRS retirees will receive a cost-of-living adjustment: 6% for those retiring on or before 8/31/01; 4% for those retiring between 9/1/01 and 8/31/13; 2% for those retiring between 9/1/13 and 8/31/20. This raise must be approved by voters per the constitutional amendment in HJR 2 on the November 2023 ballot. If approved, this provision takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Retirees age 75 or older as of Aug. 31, 2023, will also receive a one-time supplemental stipend of $7,500; those between 70 and 74 as of Aug. 31, 2023, will receive $2,400. This provision takes effect immediately (the stipend is expected to be paid in September 2023).

HB 1416 Bell, Keith/Paxton

Revises requirements from last session’s HB 4545 regarding supplemental/accelerated instruction to alleviate some of the consequences of that bill, including narrowing the students to whom the requirements apply, lowering required hours, and increasing group instruction size. See here for more details. Changes made by the bill to accelerated instruction provisions apply beginning with assessment instruments administered during the 2023 spring semester.

HB 1605 Buckley/Creighton

Districts will receive financial incentives for opting to use "high-quality instructional materials" that include pre-written lesson plans. Click here for details of this lengthy and complex bill. Generally goes into effect beginning with the 2023-24 school year, except that provisions about a supplemental agreement with a classroom teacher regarding additional duties take effect beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

HB 900 Patterson/Paxton

Regulates library book catalogs and books that vendors are allowed to sell to schools. See here for details.

School safety / discipline

(HB 3 is the main school safety bill; see “Major Bills” above for more information.)

HB 114 Thompson, Ed/Parker

Currently, possession or use of marijuana, including in an e-cigarette, on or within 300 feet of school grounds results in mandatory removal to a DAEP. The bill requires that possession, use, selling, giving or delivering to another person an e-cigarette, on, or within 300 feet of school grounds results in mandatory removal to a DAEP. However, the bill provides that if a DAEP is at capacity, placement in an in-school suspension setting is allowed instead. The student will be moved to a DAEP if space becomes available during the placement period. Such a student who has been placed in a DAEP that then reaches capacity can be moved to ISS to make room for a student who engaged in violent conduct. Allows provision of educational and support services for offenses involving e-cigarettes. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HB 473 Hull/Sparks

A threat assessment team must notify parents before conducting an assessment of a student. The parent must be given an opportunity to participate in the assessment and submit information to the team regarding the student. After completion of the assessment, the team must provide findings and conclusions to the parent. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 1133 Spiller/Flores, Pete

A peace officer providing volunteer security services at school functions can, if approved by the employing or appointing law enforcement agency, wear the agency uniform or another uniform or badge that gives the appearance of being a peace officer. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HB 1905 Talarico/West

Districts can make school safety training courses, including active shooter training, available to employees of accredited private schools in the district, or child-care facilities or other entities providing care to children under 18 who live in the district. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HB 2484 Guillen/LaMantia

Districts must ban a spectator (including a parent) of an extracurricular activity from future activities for 1-5 years if the spectator intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to an official of the activity in retaliation for or as a result of the official's actions with regard to their duties. The district may establish an appeals process. Districts/charters holding athletic competitions or activities must provide security personnel to ensure the safety of officials until they leave school property if a participant or spectator engages in or threatens violent conduct or otherwise disrupts the official's duties; or if the district/charter reasonably suspects that such an incident might occur. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 3623 Hefner/Middleton

Schools may enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with another school for a school marshal appointed at one campus to temporarily act as a marshal at another campus for the duration of an event in which both schools are participating.

SB 133 West/Hull

A peace officer performing law enforcement duties, or school security performing security duties on school property or at a school activity, cannot restrain, use a chemical irritant spray, or tase a student in grade 5 or below unless the student poses a serious risk of harm to himself or others. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

SB 838 Creighton/Thierry

Districts/charters must provide silent panic alert technology that allows for immediate contact with district/school emergency services and local first responder agencies in every classroom. Such technology does not satisfy the current-law requirement for classroom access to a phone or other communication device. School safety allotment funds can be used for this purpose. Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year. Signed by the governor.

SB 999 West/King, Tracy

Providers of active shooter training for school districts or institutions of higher education must be certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Applies to active shooter training provided on or after Dec. 1, 2024.

SB 1720 Kolkhorst/Lozano

Ensures confidentiality for district employees who report potential threats to the campus threat assessment team. Their identity may be disclosed to law enforcement or the district, as necessary to investigate. Districts must maintain a confidential record of the identity of reporters. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

Teachers

HB 63 Swanson/Sparks

Revises current law regarding child abuse or neglect reports and investigations to prohibit anonymous reports. The person making the report must provide the facts causing them to believe the child has been neglected or abused, the source of the information, their name and phone number, their personal or (if reporting as a professional, such as a teacher mandated report) business address and profession.

If the person is unwilling to provide their name and phone number, the person receiving the report must notify them that the department cannot accept an anonymous report and that they can instead report to state or local law enforcement. The person receiving the report must also notify the reporter that their identity would be confidential and disclosed only to law enforcement for purposes of an investigation or as otherwise currently provided by law.

For a report made orally, the agency receiving the report must notify the reporter that the report is being recorded and that making a false report is a criminal offense.

Takes effect immediately.

HB 621 Shaheen/Hughes

Creates a temporary CTE teaching certificate for persons who have served in the armed forces or as a first responder. The person must otherwise meet eligibility requirements for a standard teaching certificate, except that if the certification requires an associate degree, they can substitute 48 months of active duty military service or service as a first responder; for a bachelor's degree, they can substitute 48 months of service plus at least 60 hours of higher education with at least a 2.5 GPA. The temporary certificate is valid for no more than three years and is not subject to renewal. The teacher must obtain at least 20 hours of classroom management training unless they have documented experience as an instructor or trainer during their service in the military or as a first responder; and will be assigned a mentor teacher for at least two years. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HB 108 Cortez/Menendez

DPS will issue specialty license plates for teachers with at least 15 years experience, for a $10 fee. Similarly, a specialty plate for retired teachers with at least 20 years of teaching service will be issued, for a $5 fee. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HB 2012 Oliverson/Hughes

A classroom teacher cannot be prohibited from displaying a poster/copy of the national motto in their classroom. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 2729 Harris, Cody/Creighton

Current law requires that a high quality preK teacher must have both certification and an additional credential. The bill adds to the list of acceptable additional qualifications an associate or baccalaureate degree in early childhood education or related field, and at least eight years of experience in a Texas Rising Star Program.

The bill revises credentials for preK teachers teaching in preK programs for which a district contracts with an eligible private provider to provide the program. The teacher must be supervised by a person who is certified and possesses an additional credential, but the teacher him/herself does not have to meet the same requirements. The teacher must either have at least two years of experience teaching in a nationally accredited child care program or a Texas Rising Star Program and a CDA credential or Montessori certification; or must have an early childhood associate or baccalaureate degree, eight years in a nationally accredited child care program or Texas Rising Star Program, or other similar qualifications.

Adds contracting entities to current law that requires districts to attempt to maintain an average of at least one qualified (previously "certified") teacher or teacher's aide for each 11 students.

Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 2929 Lozano/West

Revises statutes passed last session intended to streamline teacher training/professional development requirements to address unintended consequences. Continuing professional education (CPE) hours in mandatory topics for teacher certification renewal in excess of the current 25% cap will count toward the total number of CPE hours required for certificate renewal. The 25% cap on mandatory CPE topics for counselors is changed to "at least 25%."

Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 4363 Kuempel/Hinojosa

Creates a Future Texas Teachers Scholarship Program to recruit, prepare and retain career teachers, and to provide financial assistance. Participating educator preparation programs must require more than the minimum required hours of field-based experience, additional hours of clinical teacher experience and other criteria. Candidates must commit to a shortage area teaching field or a school with majority economically disadvantaged students. For 2023-24 the scholarship is $12,000 per year; priority is given to students demonstrating the greatest financial need, first-generation college students, and students demonstrative a commitment to teaching in a shortage area or a school with majority economically disadvantaged students.

Scholarships will begin with the 2023-24 school year; the bill takes effect immediately.

SB 361 Eckhardt/Shine

A teacher employed by a school district can serve on an appraisal review board. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023. **VETOED**

SB 544 Blanco/Moody

SBEC must propose rules to allow a person with a bachelor's degree and at least two semesters of experience as a full-time instructor for the Community College of the Air Force to be issued a one-year temporary teaching certificate upon their enrollment in an educator preparation program, and to receive credit for their education, training and professional experience toward the requirements for completion of the program. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

SB 1471 Bettencourt/Noble

Accredited private schools will be eligible to access criminal records of potential hires. Takes immediate effect.

SB 1854 Paxton/Lambert

The TRS Board will make available optional dental and vision coverage. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

Counselors

SB 763 Middleton/Hefner

Districts/charters may employ or accept as a volunteer a chaplain to provide support, services and programs for students as assigned by the school board/governing body. The chaplain is not required to be certified by SBEC. The chaplain must comply with the laws regarding criminal history checks before beginning work/volunteering, and a chaplain who has been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication supervision for an offense requiring sex offender registration may not work or volunteer for the district/charter.

Adds certain services performed by chaplains to the allowable uses for school safety funding, including restorative discipline and restorative justice practices, mental health support, behavioral health services, and programs relating to suicide prevention/intervention/postvention.

All school boards and charter school governing bodies must take a record vote within six months of the bill's effective date on whether to adopt such a policy. The bill's effective date is Sep. 1, 2023.

Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

SB 798 Middleton/Buckley

SBEC’s qualifications for certification as a school counselor can no longer include a requirement that the candidate have classroom teacher experience. Related rules must be proposed as soon as possible but no later than Jan. 1, 2024. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023. Signed by the governor.

Student issues

HB 1883 Bhojani/Kolkhorst

Districts/charters may consider the dates of religious holy days or periods of observance that are likely relevant to students in the district/charter when establishing their instructional and assessment calendars. The board cannot exclude more than two instructional days from the SBOE-authorized assessment period based solely on the occurrence of a single religious holy day or period of observance. In establishing a calendar, the board must provide for alternative dates for assessments for students who are absent to observe a holy day on the regular assessment date. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 3803 Cunningham/Paxton

Adds to current law allowing parents to choose to have their student in grades preK-3 to repeat a grade to expand this option through 8th grade. Parents can opt for their child to repeat a high school course, unless the school determines the student has met graduation requirements. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 3993 Paul/Middleton

Students who complete a nontraditional secondary education (nonaccredited private school or home school) in the top 10% of their class will qualify for automatic admission to a Texas public institution of higher education under the top 10% rule. In determining eligibility for a student whose education does not include a high school ranking, the college will calculate class rank by ranking the student at the average rank of traditional applicants with similar test scores. Applies beginning with admissions for the 2024 fall semester.

SB 68 Zaffirini/Murr

Districts may excuse a student for up to two "career investigation days" each year during their junior and senior years to visit a professional at their workplace. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year. Signed by the governor.

SB 2304 LaMantia/Hernandez

Districts must provide information about the Texas Driving with Disability Program to students who have health conditions that may impair their communication with police officers, and their parents, if those students receive special education services or have a Section 504 plan. This information is to be provided annually from age 16 to either graduation or their 21st birthday.

TEA will collaborate with DPS to develop the materials that will be provided to these students. It must include that these students may voluntarily list any condition that would impede communication with an officer on their vehicle registration or driver's license application.

Curriculum / assessment / special programs

HB 1225 Metcalf/Zaffirini

Districts can administer a state test in paper format to a student upon request by a parent or teacher of the applicable subject area. The request must be submitted to the district by September 15, for a fall administration, and December 1 for a spring administration. The number of students given assessments on paper cannot exceed 3% of enrolled students. The limitation does not apply to students whose ARD committee determines that a paper assessment is a necessary modification. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year. Signed by the governor.

HB 1926 Hull/Paxton

Makes permanent the law creating a supplemental special education services and instructional materials program. Revises the $30 million specification in statute to "an amount set by appropriation." That amount in the appropriations bill is $63 million for fiscal year 2024, and $30 million in FY 2025. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HB 2209 Lozano/Hinojosa

The commissioner must create the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program to support rural college and career pathway partnerships that expand opportunities for underserved students to succeed while promoting economic development in rural areas.

Districts with fewer than 1,600 students are eligible to participate. The district can partner with at least one other district within a distance of 100 miles to offer a broader array of robust college and career pathways, which must align with regional labor market projections for high-wage, high-demand careers. The partnership must be managed by a coordinating entity that has entered into a performance agreement with each partnering school district.

A small additional allotment is provided for each student in a college or career pathway through the R-PEP program, and outcomes bonuses are available for those receiving an applicable postsecondary credential.

Goes into effect Sep. 1, 2023. Signed by the governor.

HB 3928 Toth/Parker

Dyslexia testing protocols may not include a distinction between standard protocol dyslexia instruction and other types of direct dyslexia instruction.

Specifies that students with dyslexia meet the definition of “specific learning disability” under IDEA. Districts must provide parents of such students with a TEA form regarding their rights under IDEA and Section 504. The district must also comply with all state and federal requirements, as well as the Dyslexia Handbook, and screen students for other disabilities.

The evaluation team must include a member with specific knowledge of the reading process, dyslexia, and dyslexia instruction. They must also be a licensed dyslexia therapist and hold the most advanced dyslexia-related certification issued by any association recognized by the State Board of Education. If such a person is unavailable, they must meet training requirements adopted by the State Board of Education. At least once each grading period, the district must provide parents with an update on their child’s progress after receiving dyslexia instruction.

Providers of dyslexia instruction must be fully trained in the district’s adopted materials for students with dyslexia, but are not required to hold a certificate in special education unless they are employed in a position that requires such certification. Completing the Reading Academy does not count as being fully trained to teach students with dyslexia.

Districts must provide information to parents about initial screenings for disabilities for students placed in DAEPs. If a student is transitioning back to a regular classroom from a DAEP, the district must provide the same information about initial screenings.

TEA will solicit input from parents as part of the auditing and monitoring of a school district for compliance with dyslexia program rules.

Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

SB 1647 Parker/Hefner

Increases the reach of dropout recovery programs, allowing charter schools to participate, allowing districts or charters to contract with education management organizations to administer the program, and allowing for remote or hybrid instruction in these programs. They must also operate an in-person student engagement center at a location suitable for students.

Any such provider must be accredited by TEA or another regional accrediting agency, offer or provide referrals for mental health services to enrolled students, and refrain from marketing directly to students enrolled in a traditional education program.

Administrators or counselors may refer students to dropout prevention programs if they think it could prevent them from dropping out.

Districts must annually report the outcomes of their dropout prevention programs.

Students who successfully complete a dropout prevention course are counted toward average daily attendance.

Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

SB 2124 Creighton/Howard

Currently, eligible students must opt in to advanced mathematics courses in sixth grade. This bill instead automatically enrolls students who are in the top 40% on their fifth grade math STAAR test in advanced math, with a provision allowing them to opt out. Takes immediate effect. Signed by the governor.

SB 2294 Creighton/Kuempel

Expands the Texas First Early High School Completion Program to any Texas institution of higher education. If a student meets the requirements of the program, their high school must allow the student to graduate and receive a diploma; previously, the language was permissive. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023. Signed by the governor.

Health issues

HB 1002 Price/Perry

Districts/charters may include a chiropractor or physical therapist on the concussion oversight team. Takes effect immediately.

HB 1297 Dutton/Birdwell

Schools may use an electronic eye chart for vision tests. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023. Signed by the governor.

HB 3908 Wilson/Creighton

School health advisory councils must recommend appropriate grade levels and curriculum for instruction regarding the dangers of opioids, including addiction to and abuse of synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. The governor will designate a Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week during which age-appropriate instruction on the prevention of abuse/addiction to fentanyl will be provided.

Districts must annually provide research-based instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness in grades 6-12; the instruction must also include suicide prevention, abuse/addiction prevention, awareness of local resources and how to access them, and related health education. Instruction may be provided by specified entities including libraries, higher education institutions, local public health agencies and religious organizations. This instruction satisfies the current-law requirement to implement a program in the area of substance abuse prevention and intervention.

Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HB 4375 VanDeaver/Perry

Adds the use of automated external defibrillators to the current law requiring that students in grades 7-12 receive instruction in CPR. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

SB 294 Johnson/Klick

Adds medications for respiratory distress (e.g., albuterol) to the laws regarding the administration and storage of, and training regarding, epipens. Authorized, trained school personnel and volunteers - not only the school nurse as in current law - can administer medication for respiratory distress. A school employee or volunteer may not be subject to any penalty or disciplinary action for refusing to administer or receive training to administer epipens or medication for respiratory distress.

Removes the requirement that the parent must have given written notice for such administration. If such medication is administered to a student without prior notice from the parent, the school must refer the student to the student's primary care provider the day of the administration, and notify the parent of the referral. If the student does not have a PCP, the school will notify the parent and include information in selecting a PCP.

Schools must report information within 10 business days regarding administration of medication to any person (not just a student) for respiratory distress to the district or charter governing body, as applicable; the physician prescribing the medication; and the commissioner of state health services. The report must include the age of the person, whether they were a student/employee/volunteer/visitor, dosage, title of the person administering, and other required information. Provides new specification on the content of training regarding epipens/anaphylaxis, as well as medications for respiratory distress.

Takes immediate effect. Signed by the governor.

SB 629 Menendez/Talarico

Districts must implement a policy regarding the use of opioid antagonists (such as Narcan) at campuses with students in grades 6-12; districts may implement such policies at campuses with grades below 6th. The policy must allow authorized, trained personnel and volunteers to administer an opioid antagonist to a person reasonably believe to be experiencing an opioid overdose. A person who takes or fails to take action in good faith under the bill has immunity from liability or from disciplinary action. Each campus subject to the policy must have at least one authorized and trained person present during regular school hours. The policy must also address the amount of the antagonist that must be available, and how it is to be stored in a secure location.

Within 10 days after administration, the school must report required information to the district, the person prescribing the antagonist, and the commissioner of state health services.

A physician or other authorized person may prescribe opioid antagonists in the name of a school district/charter school under a standing order, and pharmacists may dispense such a prescription.

Takes effect immediately.

SB 1506 Hughes/Clardy

TEA must create a standard seizure management and treatment plan form to be made available online. The form must include a wide variety of specified health information for the student, including a specific seizure protocol to follow in case of emergency. Takes immediate effect. Signed by the governor.

School governance

HB 699 Frank/Paxton

When assigning league classification based on student enrollment, UIL must use the same formula for schools that allow non-enrolled students to participate as for schools that do not allow them to participate. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 1212 Jetton/Kolkhorst

Districts may not require documentation from a religious leader for purposes of excusing a student from school to observe a religious holy day; the district must accept a note from the parent. Effective beginning with the 2023-24 school year. Signed by the governor.

HB 1263 Thompson, Senfronia/Miles

Bracketed to campuses in Houston; a local authority's regulations designating a school crossing zone or crosswalk must include Houston high schools. Upon request of a high school campus administrator, the local authority must determine the components necessary to make such a designation, and make the designation. There is an exception for a campus undergoing major expansion or new construction that requires a traffic impact analysis as part of the permitting process. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HB 1789 Buckley/Flores, Pete

Nepotism laws do not apply to the employment of a school bus driver if the board of trustees approves the employment. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023. Signed by the governor.

HB 1825 Turner, Chris/Birdwell

The Arlington ISD’s Center of Visual and Performing Arts may sell alcoholic beverages at an event not sponsored by the district. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

HB 1959 Noble/King, Phil

Districts must transfer a student to another campus or district upon parent request if the parent is a peace officer. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year. Signed by the governor.

HB 2285 Noble/Paxton

Limited to Community ISD, giving the board until the end of the year to adopt a resolution changing the length of the terms of office for board members to three or four years. Takes effect immediately.

HB 2892 Buckley/Middleton

Districts must transfer a student to another campus or district upon request of a parent who is an active duty member of the US armed forces, reserve component of the US armed forces, or the Texas National Guard. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 3708 Buckley/Paxton

Provides districts with a $1,500 annual allotment for each UIL activity for which the district allows participation of non-enrolled students, and in which non-enrolled students are participating. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

SB 1008 Flores, Pete/Buckley

Currently, when a military family arrives in a school district's attendance zone as a result of a relocation order, they have ten days to provide proof of residence for registration purposes. This bill extends the deadline to ninety days. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year. Signed by the governor.

SB 1131 Blanco/Ortega

Allows the El Paso ISD school board to change its election date to the November uniform election date. Takes effect immediately.

SB 1893 Birdwell/Anderson

Bans TikTok on any governmental device or network and allows for other applications as specified by the governor to be banned in a similar manner in the future. Takes effect immediately.

SB 2069 Bettencourt/Schaefer

Removes current specificity regarding how public schools must post warnings regarding the penalties for human trafficking in conspicuous places on campus. Takes effect immediately. Signed by the governor.

Charters

HB 1707 Klick/Hughes

Political subdivisions must consider charter schools as if they were a school district for purposes of zoning, project permitting, franchises, utility services, land development standards, signage and other such laws. The governing body of the charter school must certify in writing that no officer or employee or member of the governing body derives any personal financial benefit from a real estate transaction with the charter school. Charters do not have the power of eminent domain.

A charter school is not considered a school district for the purposes of collecting impact fees for providing capital funding for public water and wastewater facilities.

A political subdivision cannot prevent a charter school from operating a campus or other school-related facility on property located within the subdivision's jurisdiction if it could not take the same action against a school district. It must treat a charter as a school district, provided that for a new campus the charter provides notice of location of the campus within 20 business days of closing on the purchase or lease of property for that campus.

Takes effect immediately.

HB 2102 Goldman/Paxton

Revises the timeline by which a charter must provide notice of expansion or the establishment of a new campus from 18 months to 36 months. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

Miscellaneous

HB 567 Bowers/Miles

Districts cannot adopt a student dress/grooming policy (including for extracurricular activities) that discriminates against hair textures or protective hairstyles (including braids, locks, twists) commonly or historically associated with race. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023. Signed by the governor.

HB 3991 Isaac/Alvarado

The first Friday of April will be Texas Fruit and Vegetable Day in public schools. Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

HB 4210 Lujan/Campbell

An appointee to the board of a military reservation school district who retires from active duty or civilian service during their term can finish out their term. SBOE must (current law is permissive) adopt rules for the governance of a special purpose district. Takes effect Sep. 1, 2023.

SB 30 Huffman/Bonnen

Supplemental appropriations bill - includes an appropriation of $1.1 billion to assist school districts in implementing school safety initiatives, and $11 million for addressing information technology deferred maintenance. School funding provisions take immediate effect.