[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6268715,"mediaKeyId","3050539-7458b0ac9c44d14de9d15c0dc365c3e2","parentId",3050539,"title","Votes at a glance: key bills the Texas House passed April 17","audioSeconds",44,"startMs",987000,"endMs",1031000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3050539-7458b0ac9c44d14de9d15c0dc365c3e2&start=987&end=1031","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3050539-7458b0ac9c44d14de9d15c0dc365c3e2/thumbnail_987000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268715/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-key-bills-the-Texas-House-passed-April-17","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268715-08df4cf61a03a471de4f56b330b525a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982150&Signature=kzejTtvJx1StqXlppGzRVwn~bQYRFnFOhaE6uksjkK0OtZCAbnON1AdzRTEjWbWF0Sh068Prn31MZ7wo6TpU394SCdcxUjQ2KL96HhJ9ogvq12Dzptv~3IMwtPLB2A8Cj6qziX8dEgwp2IxfXK6TEs77H8JrFzXVz84sbslPqbj0yTdGUDMHrBtTibXmqwqo6bXCE-HOf-5j2mW8P8BxC90AZmKtNKOuIWItoCH~sCyhIMGZHk3uI88q-48VYs~rQU5ONSLShL-dk1goPp77N9JQAdAz~0D~YuwQEvMF9Kb~UiZHi4t2AjfkmUIorncDdJH41FYYr2pOKl8MHGsqvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas Legislature","date","2025-04-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Texas House recorded final passage on a number of bills during its April 17 session. Below are key measures that reached final passage on the floor that day, with vote tallies and short descriptions as announced on the record.

Votes at a glance

- SB 2 — Education savings accounts (Creighton). Final passage: 86 ayes, 61 nays. Sponsor: Dr. Buckley moved final passage. Description: Establishes an education savings account program for eligible students; implementation and appropriations details to be set in follow‑on actions.

- SB 260 — School safety allotment (Hoffman). Final passage: 143 ayes, 0 nays. Sponsor explanation by Dr. Bonham. Description: Raises per‑student and per‑campus school safety allotments under the foundation school program (per transcript: per‑student and per campus amounts increased).

- SB 569 — Virtual and hybrid education structure (Bettencourt). Final passage: 109 ayes, 32 nays. Sponsor explanation by Mr. Kaufman. Description: Establishes a unified structure for virtual and hybrid education and related attendance funding provisions.

- HB 2 — Public education and school finance (Buckley). Final passage: 142 ayes, 5 nays. Sponsor: Dr. Buckley moved final passage. Description: Major public school finance legislation described on the floor as historic funding for public schools.

- HB 2000 — Audrey's Law (Ashby). Final passage: 47 ayes, 0 nays. Sponsor: Mr. Ashby. Description: Requires individuals convicted of the offense of child grooming to register as sexual offenders (per floor explanation).

- HB 222 (House Bill 2 22) — Classroom management / school safety language (Talarico). Final passage: 91 ayes, 55 nays. Sponsor: Mr. Talarico. Description: Floor remarks described the bill as restoring classroom management tools and increasing school safety measures.

- HB 645 — Co‑navigation services for deaf‑blind individuals (Gonzales of El Paso). Final passage: 107 ayes, 39 nays. Sponsor: Ms. Gonzales. Description: Provides certain co‑navigation services for individuals who are deaf‑blind.

- HB 1458 — Armed security officers at public schools (Metcalfe). Final passage: 145 ayes, 0 nays. Sponsor: Mr. Metcalfe. Description: Expands eligibility and training requirements for armed personnel in schools; a perfecting amendment requiring active‑shooter training was adopted on the floor.

- HB 1022 — Sol Ross State University course levels (Morales of Maverick). Final passage: 37 ayes, 7 nays. Sponsor: Mr. Morales (Maverick). Description: Removes the phrase “upper‑level” so Sol Ross State University — Rio Grande College can offer lower‑division courses; effective date amendment changed an erroneous 2028 effective date to 2026.

- HB 141 — Revised interstate compact for placement of children (Manuel). Final passage: 38 ayes, 9 nays. Sponsor: Mr. Manuel. Description: Adopts the revised interstate compact for placement of children and makes conforming changes.

- HB 643 — Payment bond increase for municipal projects (final tally reported 98 ayes, 47 nays). Description: Increase in certain municipal payment bond thresholds (as read on the floor).

- HB 3093 — Property tax calculation for appealed appraisals (Villalobos). Final passage: 45 ayes, 1 nay. Description: Allows certain local entities to budget off uncontested values to protect taxing jurisdictions from valuation swings.

- HB 1700 — Telemedicine/telehealth records (Fairley). Final passage: 44 ayes, 1 nay. Description: Relates to certain records of health professionals providing telemedicine/telehealth services.

- HB 117 — Governor's task force on early childhood (Schoolcraft). Final passage: 103 ayes, 40 nays. Description: Establishes a governor's task force on early childhood education and care.

How to read these entries: tallies and short descriptions come from clerk announcements and explanatory remarks on the House floor. Some bills had floor amendments adopted; where a specific amendment was adopted the bill entry notes it. If a bill’s text or appropriation details were not discussed on the floor, those items are marked as “not specified” and should be checked in the enrolled/engrossed versions and committee reports.

If you need a deeper readout for any single bill (full amendment text, fiscal note, committee votes), those items are in the engrossed/enrolled bill text and committee files.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","89th Legislative Session 4/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of notable final passage votes taken by the House on April 17, including education, school safety, and a series of other bills. Tallies and brief descriptions are provided for each measure recorded on the floor.","taxTitle","Legislative, Texas","taxId",16091,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268719,"House approves broad education savings account program after contentious debate, 86-61",131,871000,1002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3050539-7458b0ac9c44d14de9d15c0dc365c3e2&start=871&end=1002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3050539-7458b0ac9c44d14de9d15c0dc365c3e2/thumbnail_871000.jpg","/articles/6268719/Texas/House-approves-broad-education-savings-account-program-after-contentious-debate-86-61","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268719-4393e5dd7da56e299b7dac92d160a958/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982150&Signature=RSxOKB~ZlTAUObfHf8krkoR2kyLdQJaE4T~0BeoqhDzSlNFUB96g1gv656C88NWYXvGbmGqhszyirz3A1XOQAMHsOjuGmKgG~79WAGNABgj7t3vRf03j7gHk7WQ~O3O~3383IKq8OnSC6tkPahv-uzq36oelTliuLoPL6R2KpHlxZKsFwNTU-W2DkdXz5OTF4f1igKPbxa-quJC2N5MjMlHwMGGemqCXYjPuOsz~3Az2dftVUg7cQlfUnfMWXWNzrq9q8NQy0SsMBl8gqu6VS3u2B~NU1~2bOrYmmVVvHSUxuRvKsM6zF8dpYprD0m6ZlpJ~Yk69tsu0iYsE51-Ybg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas House on April 17 passed Senate Bill 2, establishing education savings accounts for Texas students, after lengthy debate that split members across ideological and geographic lines. The final passage vote was 86 ayes to 61 nays.

Representative Dr. Buckley, who explained the bill on the floor, moved final passage. “This is a bill we heard yesterday to establish education savings accounts for the children of Texas,” Buckley said before moving final passage.

Opponents framed the measure as a major threat to the state's public school system. Representative Anchia said the bill was “the result of an executive who has flexed financial and political muscle and a house that has been unable to hold the executive accountable in checks and balances.” Representative Simmons, a product of public schools, argued “supporting an efficient system of public free schools means improving education by focusing on real problems,” and said vouchers would drain public resources and hurt the most vulnerable students.

Several speakers warned about fiscal and oversight risks. Representative Martinez Fisher said the program would provide a $10,500 ESA check to participating families and warned the state was not protected from runaway program costs without strict appropriation caps. Representative Bernal criticized what he described as inconsistency in policy: he noted the chamber often rejects coverage for some medical needs as being too costly, yet this bill earmarked substantial funds that he said would flow to families who do not require the subsidy.

Supporters argued the legislation expands parental choice and educational opportunity. Chairman Buckley and supporters said the program creates options for families and parents seeking alternatives to local public schools.

The vote followed hours of floor speeches and amendment offers. A record vote was requested; the clerk announced the final tally as 86 ayes and 61 nays and the bill was declared finally passed.

What lawmakers debated most was the program’s long‑term fiscal impact and accountability mechanisms. Opponents repeatedly noted the absence of a hard appropriation cap within the bill and warned that, without legislative control over future appropriations, the program could grow beyond initial estimates. Supporters urged that implementation and future funding decisions would be for the legislature to control in subsequent appropriations actions.

SB 2 now heads to the enrollment and engrossment process before being transmitted to the governor.","After a day of emotional floor debate about public education, vouchers and fiscal risks, the Texas House passed SB 2 to create an education savings account (ESA) program for students, final passage 86‑61.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6268724,"House withdraws memorial calendar after heated floor debate over resolution honoring Cecile Richards",0,4762000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3050539-7458b0ac9c44d14de9d15c0dc365c3e2&start=4762&end=4762","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3050539-7458b0ac9c44d14de9d15c0dc365c3e2/thumbnail_4762000.jpg","/articles/6268724/Texas/House-withdraws-memorial-calendar-after-heated-floor-debate-over-resolution-honoring-Cecile-Richards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268724-5b32f090262647aaf66580101a60c85c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770982150&Signature=DElOqrTu5WSa9essLUgN5chfvKF~d3z7C4rcSXfBDoJTdBX0RS7raVjW8fmPfiHu0pPEqBqKxholiVJyEhc1M8wZnmH6oCPrv6-gpMPnheQYtbJWWwJBWy4k7-MXJizDIr04KHiJD9uyQZzvVAanBWHI-9yW7~gvUkm6ipJ1eAWrIgGd~6v92pOjcZBo5rYgfxuPC1XnzSJqEkl52PBuyDzuWX~7zEJrvaYIwnXJrUS-XOCbz~and7bUgZ1MZeKGSIOfETDG2vrawnbSkkQnC0tk5wYPiDYG1XozD0Jd5h~umOk8dJv-28pN6tV2244i33HoDZfBRR-HcrNkj5kilw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas House on April 17 withdrew a motion to adopt its memorial resolutions calendar after extended debate and repeated parliamentary inquiries over a resolution honoring Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood.

Members objected repeatedly to the calendar process and to a line recognizing Richards, prompting questions about House rules, the ability to record individual objections, and whether a single calendar vote could be divided. Representative Garen moved adoption of the memorial calendar, but the motion was withdrawn later in the day.

The dispute began with repeated parliamentary inquiries about whether the congratulatory and memorial calendar could be debated or divided. Representative Schatzlein asked whether “a resolution such as honoring a famed abortionist” could be extracted and considered separately; the speaker repeatedly said the calendar is adopted by a single motion and cited House Rule 6, Section 12. Representative Chastain and others pressed whether members could register individual “no” entries in the journal and whether those entries could prevent placement on the calendar; the chair said the journal clerk will accept registrations up to a majority and that additional registrations would be entered as statements.

Representative Hopper, speaking against adopting the calendar, framed his remarks around his opposition to honoring Richards. “It is an affront to the dignity of this chamber,” Hopper said, arguing that Richards’ leadership of Planned Parenthood made the honor inappropriate. Representative Schatzlein likewise urged members to register opposition, saying, “Who will speak for the 63,600,000 babies who lost their life?”

Several members, including Representative Romero and Representative Johnson, urged the body to preserve the tradition of honoring individuals regardless of political disagreement. Representative Romero said the memorial calendar “is about courage” and argued members should not let politics prevent honoring people important to colleagues.

Representative Howard, who had sponsored the resolution for Richards, defended the decision to include her, saying Richards “dedicated her life to serving others and advocating her beliefs” and that “she led a remarkable and historic life that deserves to be honored and recognized.” Howard said the Richards family ultimately chose not to attend because of the online controversy and potential for personal attacks.

The chair received a motion to adopt the memorial resolutions and recognized extended debate, pointed parliamentary questions, a request for a record vote on portions of the calendar, and multiple motions to reduce remarks to writing and place them in the journal. After several hours of floor debate and sustained objections, Representative Garen withdrew the motion to adopt the memorial calendar; the chair announced the motion was withdrawn.

The episode also produced floor-level questions about internal procedures. Members repeatedly referenced the minutes of the committee on local and consent calendars as the place to find votes on which resolutions were sent to the calendar, and several members asked which committee members had voted to place the Richards resolution on the calendar. The speaker directed members to committee minutes for that information.

With the motion withdrawn, the memorial calendar was not adopted at this sitting. Members used the debate to register strong views on both procedure and principle: some argued the House should not be required to choose between honoring certain memorials and preserving its traditions, while others said honoring Richards conflicted with their pro‑life commitments and the values they said voters expect them to represent.

The withdrawal leaves unresolved the specific question of whether—and by whom—the Richards resolution will be removed from or refiled for a future calendar. Members also asked that minutes and journal entries clarify which committee placed the resolution on the calendar and how committee votes were recorded.","A long floor debate over a memorial resolution honoring Cecile Richards prompted repeated parliamentary challenges and objections. The House withdrew the motion to adopt the memorial calendar after members on both sides clashed over procedure and substance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key bills the Texas House passed April 17

House approves broad education savings account program after contentious debate, 86-61

House withdraws memorial calendar after heated floor debate over resolution honoring Cecile Richards