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Panel hears bill to create Texas history grant program for nonprofit education projects
Summary
Senate Bill 519 would establish a Texas History Grant program to fund nonprofit activities that engage students in Texas history; the Texas State Historical Association described existing programs and outreach.
Senate Bill 519 would create a Texas History Grant program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that engage students in learning Texas history through competitions, publications and related programs. The bill would prioritize activities that connect students to historical research and public‑facing projects.
Dr. Brett Durbis, administrative director of the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA), and Lisa Berg, TSHA director of education, spoke in support and described the association’s longstanding education initiatives — including Texas History Day and the junior historian program — that reach tens of thousands of students and teachers each year. TSHA emphasized programs that develop primary‑source skills, writing and public presentations and noted that many students attend statewide events for the first time through these programs.
The author, Senator Middleton, framed the bill as a way to sustain and expand civic and historical education for future generations and cited the TSHA’s work as an example of scalable, long‑running programs that could be amplified through modest grant support.
Public testimony was supportive and the bill was left pending subject to the chair’s call.
Ending: The committee did not take action; supporters said the program would preserve and expand opportunities for students to engage in history education across Texas.
