Senate may accept House changes to voucher bill

In the wake of the Texas House's vote to pass SB 2, the session's signature school voucher legislation, the question still remains as to whether the Senate will send the bill to a conference committee or concur with the changes. If the Senate concurs, the bill would head straight to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for a signature and become law.

In most cases, major legislation ends up in a conference committee because the House and Senate often take different approaches to tackle the same issues and deciding what their combined solution will be is best accomplished in that setting. For example, the longest bill in each session, the state budget, always ends up in conference.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently voiced his support for the Senate simply accepting the House's changes to fast-track the bill for Abbott's signature. Most observers expected a quick conference committee to hash out a few differences, but this move would guarantee that SB 2 becomes law, whereas a conference committee could potentially derail the bill. When signed, the bill will become effective on Sept. 1, 2025.

School vouchers will certainly alter the educational landscape in Texas, but only time will tell how extensive the effects will be.