The Texas Senate advanced SB 2, the establishment of an Education Savings Account (ESA) program, Wednesday evening by a vote of 19 - 12 after several hours of debate. Republican Senator Robert Nichols joined all Democratic senators in voting against the bill. The House and Senate proposed budgets include $1 billion set aside to fund the ESA program contingent on the passage of SB 2 or similar legislation. As currently drafted, all Texas students are eligible to apply for participation in the ESA program. The funding amount per student ranges from a minimum of $2,000 per year to a maximum of $11,500 per year depending on the individual student application. SB 2 has been received in the House, but not referred to committee as Speaker Dustin Burrows has not yet announced committee assignments. He is expected to make committee assignments this week.
Aside from activity on SB 2, the Senate primarily remains focused on crafting the budget as state agencies and boards continue to appear before the Finance Committee to discuss their appropriations requests. The committee will take up Article III - Public Education, Article VI - Natural Resources, Article VII - Business and Economic Development, Article VIII - Regulatory and Article IX - General Provisions this week. Senator Huffman intends to complete the initial round of reviews by Friday, February 14th. Senator Charles Schwertner convened the Business & Commerce Committee for its first hearing last week. The committee heard invited testimony from the various public utility and insurance agencies under its jurisdiction. Senator Perry will conduct a similar hearing for the agencies under the purview of the Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee this week. The Senate Criminal Justice Committee, under the leadership of Senator Pete Flores, will meet Wednesday to take up bail reform, an issue designated as an emergency item by Governor Greg Abbott during his recent State of the State address.
The House and Senate will both return Tuesday for their respective Floor sessions.
