House, Senate announce interim charges for committees

Between legislative sessions, Texas lawmakers don't just "take a break." Instead, the lieutenant governor and speaker of the House assign interim charges - specific topics that legislative committees are asked to study.

Interim charges act as a roadmap for upcoming legislation. Paying attention to them can give teachers an early look at potential changes - and a chance to have a voice in shaping them. The TCTA lobby team will be busy participating in the legislative interim process bringing your experiences and priorities to the forefront and helping shape policy.

House interim charges

Many of the committee members of the House Committee on Public Education are expected to return, but Democrats will lose two powerful voices when the next legislative session begins: Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin) and Rep. James Talarico (D- Austin). Hinojosa is running for governor and Talarico is running for the U.S. Senate.

Yesterday, Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) released House interim charges that could lead to potential changes in retirement benefits, compensation and working conditions, classroom policies and expectations, and student supports and resources.

The House Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services will review the long-term stability of TRS, including contribution rates and changes in benefits. This could affect future retirement benefits and contributions.

The House Committee on Public Education will monitor how recent laws are working in areas like school funding, discipline, accountability/testing, cell phone policies, and private school vouchers. This will provide an opportunity for adjustments based on what schools are experiencing now.

Importantly, the committee will examine whether recent pay increases and policy changes are helping schools hire and retain teachers which could lead to changes in compensation or support initiatives.

The committee will also broadly review student outcomes, enrollment trends, school safety, and the role of technology and AI.

There will be a more focused look by the committee at: preventing educator misconduct and improving reporting systems; strengthening middle school outcomes; and increasing support and resources in special education.

Senate committee changes

Teachers and school employees may want to keep an eye on several recent leadership updates in the Texas Senate, as these changes can influence public education policy and retirement systems.

Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) has been appointed Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, while Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) will serve as the Vice-Chair in addition to the Chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education. Previously, Brandon Creighton led the Education Committee when it also included higher education oversight. He stepped down from the Senate last year to become chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.

For classroom teachers, the Senate Committee on Education is one of the most important committees to follow. This committee oversees K-12 public education in Texas, including the Texas Education Agency, as well as teacher certification, standards, school funding, curriculum, and accountability systems. It also reviews policies related to student performance, special education services, and district evaluations-all areas that directly affect your day-to-day work.

Another key committee is the Senate Committee on Finance, which is responsible for building the state budget. Joan Huffman (R-Houston) will continue to serve as the Chair. This committee plays a major role in decisions about funding for education, teacher pay, and overall financial priorities. Its work ultimately helps determine how much funding reaches schools and classrooms across Texas.

If you're thinking about retirement or long-term financial planning, it's also helpful to know that several committees shape policies related to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). The Senate Committee on State Affairs, chaired by Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), and the Senate Committee on Finance take the lead on pension funding and benefits, while the Senate Committee on Education also contributes to decisions affecting educators.

Staying informed about which committees handle these issues can make it easier to follow legislation that impacts your salary, benefits, classroom resources, and long-term retirement security. Click on the committee links to find the full list of members on each of the committees.

Senate interim charges

Today, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released Senate interim charges that offer an early look at what may be addressed next legislative session - especially around staffing, schedules, pay, curriculum and school choice.

The Texas Senate Education Committee will study how to strengthen school leadership and support struggling campuses, as well as how districts can respond to declining enrollment through staffing, budgeting, and program adjustments. The committee will also review the impact of 4-day school weeks and other alternative schedules on student outcomes.

In addition, they will evaluate recent teacher pay increases and how they are being implemented, including efforts to address rural pay gaps. They will continue monitoring the rollout and potential expansion of school choice programs, which could affect public school funding and enrollment.

The committee will also examine school partnerships and instructional materials to ensure alignment with state priorities, including a focus on American and Texas history. Finally, they will track the implementation of recent laws related to parental rights, library materials, educator misconduct, and school funding, discipline, and mental health supports.

Updates from the Capitol

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• Legislature