The Texas legislature convenes in Austin once every two years, often making decisions that potentially affect outcomes at the local school board level.
Leading up to the 85th legislative session, which starts Jan. 10, a number of potential pieces of legislation have been filed that would regulate public education on a local level.
Here are 4 such bills and what each proposal could mean, if approved, for Texas school districts.
- Term limits for trustees
In HB 154, Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carollton, would allow school boards to determine if term limits are necessary. If enacted, the bill would enable boards to either limit the number of terms a trustee may serve or remove a limit on the number of terms a trustee may serve.
- Polling place security
Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas, filed HB 332 to require board trustees to develop security guidelines for school district properties that are also used as polling places. However, this bill would not require any school district to contract security personnel or law enforcement.
- Video and audio recordings of meetings
Mike Schofield, R-Katy, filed HB 523 to require school boards to make audio and video recordings available for any open meeting including work sessions and specially called meetings. This stipulation would be enacted if the school district has an enrollment of more than 10,000 students and if the board votes on any matter or if any public comment or testimony is allowed.
- Recess policy
SB 355, filed by Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, would require individual school boards to review recess policies once every five years. Following this review, the trustees must specify the length of time to be spent at recess and whether the time can be withheld for discipline.
This list is not comprehensive. Find a full list of
Senate and
House bills filed online.
