Key deadlines approaching at the Capitol next week
Action at the Capitol slowed down a bit this week. Many major bills have passed one chamber but not begun moving in the other, as each chamber focuses on getting its own bills moving before deadlines set in.
The first major deadline is Monday, the last day that House bills can be reported out of House committees. This effectively means that any House bill that did not have a hearing in a House committee by this week is dead — though it is not unheard of for entire bills to be amended on to other legislation. Click here to read more.
House OKs bill on high-quality instructional materials
The House is forwarding HB 1605 to the Senate. The bill, by House Public Education Chairman Brad Buckley, implements a program favored by Commissioner Mike Morath to provide high-quality instructional materials — including pre-written lesson plans — for optional use in school districts.
TCTA worked with Reps. James Talarico and John Bucy to include amendments that will protect teacher planning and preparation time and clarify teacher immunity with regard to instruction. Click here to read more.
In other action this week:
- The House passed HB 2729 regarding pre-K educator requirements and HB 2673, which addresses standards for students using electronic devices and software provided by schools.
- The Senate Education Committee reviewed several bills, including one to protect UIL referees/judges from angry spectators.
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