Texas legislators discuss JET funds, fentanyl education, and school safety reforms

The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened on May 20, 2025, to discuss several key legislative proposals aimed at enhancing educational safety and resources in Texas. The meeting, chaired by Senator Zaffirini, addressed three significant bills: House Bill 322, House Bill 3062, and House Bill 121.

The first item on the agenda was House Bill 322, presented by Senator Zaffirini. This bill seeks to amend the Jobs and Education Protections (JET) grant program, allowing institutions to use grant funds for subscription-based technology essential for career and technical education programs. Currently, many institutions face restrictions on using these funds for modern tools necessary for workforce training. The proposed changes would enable the acquisition, implementation, and maintenance of technology solutions that support eligible programs and facilitate the development of new courses leading to certificates or degrees. After the presentation, public testimony was opened but no individuals registered to speak, leading to the bill being left pending.

Next, the committee reviewed House Bill 3062, also introduced by Senator Zaffirini. This legislation aims to require public institutions of higher education to provide fentanyl and drug poisoning prevention education to incoming undergraduates. The bill would allow the instruction to be delivered online and by qualified external entities, such as community organizations and health agencies. Similar to the previous bill, public testimony was opened but no witnesses registered, resulting in the bill being left pending as well.

The final discussion centered on House Bill 121, presented by Senator West. This bill serves as a follow-up to last session's legislation aimed at improving public school safety. Key provisions include allowing the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to commission peace officers for school safety, clarifying reporting requirements for misconduct, and establishing new reporting protocols based on intruder detection audits. During public testimony, several individuals, including law enforcement officials, expressed concerns regarding the bill's provisions. Testimonies highlighted the importance of school district police departments and the potential negative implications of requiring misconduct reports to be directed solely to external law enforcement agencies. Testifiers argued that this could undermine the capabilities of school-based officers who are trained and positioned to handle such investigations effectively.

The committee concluded the meeting with all bills left pending, subject to further discussion and potential amendments. The discussions underscored the ongoing efforts to enhance educational safety and resource accessibility in Texas, reflecting the legislature's commitment to addressing pressing issues within the state's educational framework.