House Public Education Committee Holds Committee Hearings on HB 2

Terri Leo-Wilson, State Representative, District 23

Austin, TX – This week, the Texas House Public Education Committee convened to hold its first bill hearings, featuring two days of testimony on House Bill 2 (HB 2). The committee took invited testimony on Tuesday, followed by public testimony on Wednesday, marking an important step in the legislative process for what has been described as a historic investment in Texas public education.

HB 2: A Landmark Investment in Texas Public Education

Chairman Brad Buckley opened the hearings by emphasizing the unprecedented scope of HB 2, which proposes an $8 billion investment in Texas public schools. The bill seeks to increase the basic allotment by $220 per student, expand teacher incentive programs, boost special education funding, and provide additional support for small and rural school districts.

“HB 2 represents a strategic, student-centered investment in public education,” said Chairman Buckley. “This legislation provides necessary funding while ensuring accountability and targeted improvements to benefit students, teachers, and districts across Texas.”

Throughout the hearings, committee members engaged in robust discussions on the bill’s impact and
implementation. Representative Terri Leo Wilson voiced strong support for targeted funding to address teacher retention, special education, and charter school funding.

“I support this bill because it directly addresses the concerns I hear from educators in my district,” said Rep. Leo Wilson. “The teacher incentive allotment has proven effective in keeping our best educators in the classroom, and the special education funding and evaluation reimbursements are long overdue.”

Rep. Leo Wilson also highlighted the importance of ensuring that funding reaches the intended recipients. “When we allocate funds through targeted allotments, we ensure that money is directed toward real needs like teacher pay, special education, and early childhood programs, rather than getting lost in broad discretionary spending.”

Rep. Leo Wilson and the committee members emphasized the urgent need for addressing rising insurance costs for school districts, particularly those in coastal regions, and ensuring that recapture policies do not put struggling districts at further risk. Furthermore they discussed the $1.1 billion set aside to enhance the small and mid-sized district allotment to help rural schools.

The committee will continue working on revisions to HB 2, with plans to finalize a committee substitute by March 18. “This is just the beginning of the process,” Chairman Buckley reiterated. “We will continue to refine this bill to ensure it meets the needs of Texas students and educators.”