When the 83rd state Legislature passed HB 5 in 2013, it included a provision requiring schools print proof of a student’s endorsements on their transcript and diploma. The cost of printing each diploma meant a hefty price tag for Conroe ISD and other school districts with large graduating classes.

“By passing [HB 181], we were able to take that [diploma] provision off and allow them to continue to issue the same diploma that has traditionally been issued while maintaining the student’s endorsements and achievements on their transcript,” Rep. Cecil Bell, R-Magnolia, said. “So the piece that goes to college, that goes to the employer ... has that important data.”

Bell estimated that the change would save CISD about $50 more per diploma for individual printing for the roughly 3,500 graduates, which would have added up to about $175,000.