Texas Legislature passes multiple education bills including school safety and funding measures

The Texas Legislature convened on April 17, 2025, to discuss several significant bills, culminating in the passage of key legislation aimed at enhancing school safety and education funding.

One of the most notable outcomes was the approval of Senate Bill 260, which increases the school safety allotment under the foundation school program. The bill raises funding from $10 to $14 per student and boosts the per campus allotment from $15,000 to $37,000. This measure received overwhelming support, passing with a vote of 143 in favor and none against.

Another important piece of legislation, Senate Bill 569, was also passed. This bill establishes a new framework for virtual and hybrid education in Texas public schools, allowing for necessary waivers and modifications during emergencies to ensure school funding entitlements are preserved. It passed with a vote of 109 to 32.

House Bill 2, which focuses on public education and finance, was highlighted as historic funding for Texas schools. It passed with a significant majority, receiving 142 votes in favor and only 5 against.

Additionally, House Bill 2000, known as Audrey's Law, mandates that individuals convicted of child grooming must register with the Texas sex offender registry. This bill passed unanimously with 47 votes in favor.

The session also included discussions on chronic absenteeism, with House Bill 213 aiming to classify chronically absent students as at risk of dropping out, thereby enhancing data collection and reporting on these students.

Overall, the legislative session underscored a strong commitment to improving school safety and educational funding in Texas, with multiple bills receiving broad bipartisan support. The passage of these measures is expected to have a lasting impact on the state's education system and student welfare.