5 days remain in the 87th Regular Legislative Session
Senate will consider CSHB 1525 today
The Senate's version of CSHB 1525 (Huberty/Taylor) will be considered today. This time, we can say that with 100% certainty, because today is the last day that the Senate can consider bills. After today, both chambers will only be dealing with concurrences and conference committees.

When HB 1525 is heard today, there will be several amendments offered. We reported on those Monday, but quite a few things have changed since then. You can still access the pre-filed amendments and the summaries of those amendments via the links below, but keep reading beyond that to read what we know on some amendments that have not yet been shared publicly.


Proposed amendments to note include:
  • Amendment #1 by Taylor--we expect a different version of this amendment from what appears in the packet. While we expect that it will still adds tiers to the Fast Growth Allotment and clarify that the adjustments the Commissioner may make to funding entitlements may only be increases, we also expect this or another amendment to remove the provisions in the bill that require a set-aside of local funds equal to 40% of ESSER III funding. This provision has been proven to be challenging for legislative leaders on multiple fronts.

  • Amendment #5 by West on page 7 of the packet would repeal the proposed $400 million annual limit on Formula Transition Grants (so that there would be no limit, as under current law). We understand Senator Taylor does not intend to accept this amendment, so a majority vote would be required to add it.

  • Amendment #4 by Hughes on page 6 of the packet proposes a big change to the Fast Growth Allotment that would apply the allotment to more districts (particularly small districts), but will also prorate the amount for all districts that may receive FGA.

  • Amendment #8 by Taylor on page 11 would create grant programs for districts with the state's discretionary funding from the federal legislation and establishes an allotment for all districts to receive a share of the federal dollars (in particular those who are not receiving much (if any) ESSER funding), with districts that have a higher number of students who have failed state assessments qualifying for more funding (allotment amounts are reduced based on how much the district otherwise receives under ESSER II and ESSER III).

  • Amendment #24 West on page 82 would allow for students to qualify for ADA while in an off-campus remote learning setting (limited to 10% of total enrollment in the filed amendment, but we believe that number will be increased).

  • Amendment by Nelson (that was not pre-field) that would reinstate the Gifted & Talented Allotment repealed by HB 3 for a total of $100 million per year.

In addition to all these amendments, it is important to note the contingency rider for HB 1525 in the Conference Committee Report for the General Appropriations Act. That rider includes provisions to pay for the grant programs outlined in several of the proposed amendment as well as the other provisions of the bill. Oddly enough, the rider also states that contingent on passage of HB 1525, the Foundation School Program would be reduced by $1.14 billion and Technology & Instructional Materials funding would be reduced by $621 million. This rider is but one piece of the puzzle being assembled to explain what will become of funding from ESSER II.

Click here to look up contact info for your Senator.
SB 1 Conference Committee Report
The Conference Committee Report for Senate Bill 1 (the General Appropriations Act) was posted yesterday. We'll send you a more through analysis of that once the chips fall and we can see things like which contingency riders will actually take effect. But if you would like to take a look for yourself, the report can be found online at:


Also, here are the specific pages that contain the contingency rider for HB 1525.
What's happening this week?
Texas House
When the clock struck midnight last night, any bill that had not yet passed to third reading was officially dead. So here is a run-down on what passed and what didn't make it.

Passed to third reading (final passage expected Wednesday):
  • SB 1365 (Bettencourt/Huberty) which relates to interventions and sanctions of districts, due process, and campus ratings.
  • SB 1267 (West/Lozano) which streamlines educator training requirements in law and allows greater flexibility and choice for school staff in the training to make it more meaningful and relevant.
  • SB 1716 (Taylor/Bonnen) which creates a supplemental services account to be directed by parents of students enrolled in special education to make purchases of services or materials their child.
  • SB 2081 (Mendendez/Talarico) which would apply class size requirements of 22:1 to Pre-K, not just K-4th grade.

Didn't make it (postponed and will not pass):
  • SB 29 (Perry/Dutton) which requires students to participate in UIL athletic activities based on biological sex.
  • SB 10 (Bettencourt/Paddie) which started out as a ban on lobbying for cities and counties, became a bill that does not ban the practice but would require more transparent actions and reporting when it comes to all entities with a tax base.

The House will take up their Local Calendar beginning at 9:00 a.m. and then go into third reading. The House is expected to wrap up much earlier than their midnight run last night. Watch live.


Texas Senate
Today is the final day for the Senate to consider bills on second or third reading. Bills that could be considered by the Senate today include:

  • HB 1525 (Huberty/Taylor), which relates to school finance (see above)
  • HB 4242 (Meyer/Birdwell) which would extend Chapter 313 of the Tax Code for two years and allow Chapter 313 agreements to continue until the legislature meets again and can determine reforms for the program.
  • HB 1468 (Bell, Keith/Taylor) allows public schools to offer remote learning programs for their students
  • HB 4545 (Dutton/Taylor) requires specific time and staffing ratios for the provision of accelerated instruction for students who fail certain state assessments; establishes a grant program to assist districts with paying for accelerated instruction as required by the bill.
  • HB 2 (Bonnen/Nelson), which is the Supplemental Appropriations Act that "trues up" appropriations for the 20-21 biennium and includes a $5.2 billion reduction to the FSP due to higher property values, lower ADA, and state supplantation of federal funds. It also includes a $1 billion investment to the Property Tax Relief Fund, to begin building up balance to support the cost of continuing property tax rate compression in the 2022–23 biennium.
  • HB 1068 (Allen/Lucio) which would allow classified school district employees to use personal leave time for holidays.
  • HB 1252 (Moody/Hall) requires the maximum time allowed under federal law regarding the deadline to file a complaint or allege a violation of state or federal special education laws.

The Senate will convene at 11:00 a.m. and they are expected to work (with breaks, because this is the Senate) until midnight tonight. Watch live.
Post-Legislative Workshop - June 9
We hope you can join us as we rehash the good, the bad, and the ugly from the 87th Irregular Session at our Post-Legislative Workshop on Wednesday, June 9, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in Dallas at the DoubleTree by Dallas Love Field.

You can register via the link below to attend in person and also find the info you need to make hotel reservations for a discounted rate if you plan to stay overnight.
Wed, Jun 9, 2021 10:00 AM CST
Post-Legislative Workshop 2021
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dallas - Love Field, Dallas
If you are not able to join us in person, but still want to join in on the fun, please click on the button below to register and attend virtually via Zoom.
Thank you to our annual sponsors!
601 Camp Craft Road
Austin, Texas 78746
512-732-9072