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Welcome to the latest edition of Texas Legislative News for the 89th Texas Legislature. In this regular feature, we provide information on disability-related issues and bills under consideration at the State Capitol. We also explain how lawmakers conduct business, and we share details on upcoming TCDD events.
On Thursday, Sept. 4, the Legislature adjourned the second special session called by Gov. Greg Abbott. Due to the intentional absence of many members, the Legislature’s first special session adjourned without the passage of any bills. The absent lawmakers returned for the second special session and completed nearly all the business listed on the governor’s agenda.
Emergency Preparedness
In July, flooding devasted Kerrville and other Hill Country communities. Over 100 people died, including children and counselors at a youth camp along the Guadalupe River and a woman who worked at a group home for people with disabilities in Williamson County.
In response, emergency preparedness was a top priority for lawmakers in the special session. They passed the following bills:
- House Bill (HB) 1 by Rep. Drew Darby, which creates stricter regulations on emergency planning and safety procedures of youth camps.
- HB 20 by Rep. Drew Darby, which institutes new regulations to prevent scams, theft, and other fraudulent behavior related to disaster recovery.
- Senate Bill (SB) 1 by Sen. Charles Perry, another bill relating to the emergency preparedness of youth camps.
- SB 3 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, requiring outdoor warning sirens in areas prone to flash flooding and creating a grant program to help with costs.
Judicial Operations
Lawmakers finished some uncompleted business on judicial operations from the Legislature’s regular session by passing HB 16, by Rep. Jeff Leach, a large bill that makes organizational changes to the Texas court system and includes measures related to mental health courts.
Standardized Testing and Public School Accountability
After years of discussion on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) — the series of standardized tests Texas uses to gauge the learning and progress of public school students — lawmakers passed HB 8, by Rep. Brad Buckley, which reforms standardized testing and accountability in the state’s public schools.
HB 8 replaces STAAR with an instructionally supportive assessment program. The existing STAAR system has raised concerns over test results arriving too late to be useful to educators and that the test puts unnecessary stress and pressure on students, even for Texas’s youngest learners. The new assessment system will feature shorter beginning, middle, and end-of-year tests, providing teachers and parents with faster, more actionable feedback.
Students who qualify for alternative testing currently take a version of STAAR called Alternate 2. Under HB 8, these students will continue to receive accommodation and alternative assessments, as determined by their Admission, Review, and Dismissal committees.
Although some critics of HB 8 worry the bill increases the total number of tests for students, the bill’s supporters say that HB 8 is intended to make testing more equitable and meaningful. The bill will take effect in the 2027-2028 school year, giving families and educators time to prepare for the transition.
Other Issues
Lawmakers also passed measures related to redistricting, voter registration, water conservation, and other issues. The governor’s special session agenda included an item calling for new regulation on THC and other hemp-derived products, but lawmakers adjourned without passing any bills to address the item. The governor is expected to soon announce a set of executive orders related to the products.
The passage of SB 2 during the Legislature’s regular session called for the establishment of an Education Savings Account (ESA) program. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the state will make funding available to children accepted into the program. The funding can be used for private school tuition, educational expenses for home-schoolers, tutoring, career and technical education programs, and more. Language in SB 2 specifically called for the program to prioritize students with disabilities.
To help you understand the options and impact of the new program, TCDD and The Arc of Texas collaborated to create a one-pager, titled Vouchers and Students with Disabilities (PDF). Please use this document as a reference and share it with others in your network.
On Aug. 22, the Texas Comptroller published proposed rules for the ESA program (PDF, 37 pages, 621 KB). Members of the public can provide comments on the rules by emailing them to esa.rule.comment@cpa.texas.gov or mailing them to:
Education Savings Account Program
Educational Opportunities and Investments Division
111 E. 17th St.
Austin, TX 78774
Comments on the proposed rules are due by Sept. 21. Additional information about the ESA program can be found on the Comptroller’s website.
Back to School Webinar
To help you get ready for a successful school year, our partners at Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) are hosting a 2025 Back to School Webinar from noon to 1 p.m. Central time on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
During the webinar, the DRTx education team will cover new laws in Texas that could affect your child at school. The webinar will also cover the new ESA program, changes to school discipline and school safety, and more. Attendees will be able to ask questions about topics covered in the webinar.
The webinar will take place on Zoom, and American Sign Language (ASL) translation will be provided. Registration is required to attend.
Stay Informed
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