House Pub Ed passes first bills

The House Public Education Committee voted out three bills that were heard in last week’s committee hearing.

Bills voted out:

• HB 690 by Rep. Will Metcalf (requiring school board trustees to complete training on school safety) – TCTA supported
• HB 773 by Rep. Gary Van Deaver (including information regarding students successfully completing a program of study in career and technology in the student achievement indicators of the accountability system) – TCTA supported
• HB 1147 by Rep. Dan Huberty (adding enlistment in the Texas National Guard as an indication of military readiness for purposes of the accountability system) – TCTA supported

The committee did not take a vote on two bills that generated some opposition: HB 434 by Keith Bill (creating a CTE credit alternative to the currently-required fine arts credit) and HB 547 by Rep. James Frank (authorizing access to UIL activities for home-schooled students).

The bills approved by the committee will now move to a calendars committee to be scheduled for consideration on the House floor.