89th Legislative Session Overview

The Texas Legislature, the state's highest lawmaking body, meets in Austin from January through May in odd-numbered years. During this time period, state legislators - Senators and Representatives - consider and pass laws that impact all of Texas, including Decatur ISD.

Your Voice Matters

In December 2024, the Decatur ISD Board of Trustees adopted legislative priorities for this current session in 2025. These legislative priorities are designed to tackle some of the District's most pressing needs to help us best serve students and staff in Decatur ISD. We invite you to contact your state representatives and encourage them to consider and vote to pass legislation that serves our schools community well.

Download & Share Legislative Priorities

Decatur ISD Legislative Priorities

Contact Your State Reps

Email House Rep. Andy Hopper
Email Senate Rep. Tan Parker

Important Dates

Jan. 14: 89th State Legislative Session Begins

March 14: 60-day deadline for bill filing.

June 2: Legislature Scheduled to Adjourn (Special Sessions may be called)

Bill Tracker

During the 89th Session, Decatur ISD will track and post key proposed legislation that affects public education within the District.

Notable House Bills

HB1: General Appropriatie

This bill would potentially provide $4.85 billion in new funding, contingent on finance bill.

  • No change in the basic allotment. This bill would not increase the basic allotment per student. Texas has not changed the basic allotment of $6,160 per student since 2019. Thanks to inflation, today's prices are 1.23 times (23%) higher than 2019 prices.

  • $1 billion for school vouchers/education savings accounts designed to be used outside of public education.

  • Guaranteed yield on golden pennies increases. Golden pennies provide tax revenue that is not subject to recapture by the State of Texas.

    • $132.40 (FY 26) and $140.02 (FY 27).

  • $400 million for school safety ($200 million per year).

  • $450 million to offset premium increase for TRS.

Notable Senate Bills

SB 1: General Appropriations Bill

This bill would potentially provide $5.25 billion in funding, contingent on the finance bill.

  • No change in the basic allotment. This bill would not increase the basic allotment per student. Texas has not changed the basic allotment of $6,160 per student since 2019. Thanks to inflation, today's prices are 1.23 times (23%) higher than 2019 prices.

  • $1 billion for school vouchers/education savings accounts designed to be used outside of public education.

  • $4.9 billion to Foundation School Program for teacher pay and Teacher Incentive Allotment.

    • $4,000 increase for all teachers.

    • Additional $6,000 for rural teachers.

  • Guaranteed yield on golden pennies increases. Golden pennies provide tax revenue that is not subject to recapture by the State of Texas.

    • $132.40 (FY 26) and $140.02 (FY 27).

  • $400 million for school safety ($200 million per year).

External Link for SB 1.

SB 2: School Vouchers.

This bill would provide any student who are eligible to attend a public school with an account with $10,000 that can be used in other institutions, such as a private school. This amount would be higher than the $6,160 basic allotment that most students currently enrolled in public education are allotted by the state.

External Link for SB 2.

SB 4: Homestead Exemption.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to raise the homestead exemption to $140,000 (or $150,000 for individuals who are disabled or 65 or older).

External Link for SB 4.

SB 42: Free Full-Day PreK.

This bill would potentially expand full-day PreKindergarten programs to all 4-year-old children and require districts that offer a free PreK program for 3-year olds to offer the program on a full-day basis.

External Link for SB 42.

SB 260: Doubles the School Safety Allotment.

Currently, the state requires armed security on each campus; however, only $15,000 is provided for each campus. This bill would potentially double that amount.

External Link for SB 260.

SB 568: Restructuring of the Special Education Allotment.

This bill would potentially change the way schools receive funding for students with disabilities. The Special Education allotment would be restructured based on the intensity of services provided rather than the current structure based on the instructional arrangement.

External Link for SB 568.

Contact Your Legislators

State Representatives

Rep. Andy Hopper - District 64 - Texas House of Representatives

Local/District Address: (None listed as of Feb. 1, 2025 | This information will be updated at a later time)

Local/District Phone: (None listed as of Feb. 1, 2025 | This information will be updated at a later time)

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0582

Email: online form

Website: https://house.texas.gov/members/64

Rep. Tan Parker - District 12 - Texas Senate

Local/District Address: Weatherford College, 502 Big Sandy Court, Bridgeport, TX 76426

Local/District Phone: (214) 361-3561

Capitol Address: P.O. Box 12068, Capitol Station, Austin, TX 78711

Capitol Phone: (512) 463-0112

Email: tan.parker@senate.texas.gov or online form

Website: https://www.senate.texas.gov/member.php?d=12

House Committee on Public Education

No assigned committee members at this time

Senate Committee on Education K-16

Brandon Creighton, Chair
Donna Campbell, Vice Chair
Paul Bettencourt
Brent Hagenbuch
Adam Hinojosa
Phil King
José Menéndez
Mayes Middleton
Tan Parker
Angela Paxton
Royce West