Education

introduced · Texas · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 120: Relating to prohibiting public institutions of higher education from offering programs or courses in LGBTQ or DEI studies.

HB 120 prohibits Texas public universities from offering certificate or degree programs, majors, minors, or courses in LGBTQ studies or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The bill requires all academic programs to align with a definition of "biological reality" stating there are only two unchangeable sexes (male/female), banning DEI programs that promote differential treatment based on race, color, or ethnicity. It mandates annual state audits to check compliance, with non-compliant institutions losing state funding, and imposes penalties on faculty (unpaid leave for first violation, termination for repeat violations). The law directly affects Texas public higher education institutions, their faculty, and students enrolled in affected programs.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits LGBTQ/DEI programs, mandates 'biological reality' definition, restricts curriculum and academic freedom in higher education.95% confidence

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in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 91: Relating to reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes through the use of certain surplus state revenue.

HB 91 would reduce school district property tax rates by using surplus state revenue to lower the "state compression percentage" that determines how much districts can charge for maintenance and operations. It directs the comptroller to allocate surplus state revenue into a property tax relief fund, which the commissioner can then use to further reduce this percentage. If the percentage reaches zero, school districts would be prohibited from imposing the lowest tier of property taxes and would automatically qualify for full state funding as if they had the maximum allowable tax rate. This bill directly affects all Texas public school districts by potentially lowering their local tax burdens and changing their funding structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses surplus state revenue to lower school property tax rates via reduced 'state compression percentage', providing direct tax relief to homeowners.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces school district property taxes using state surplus revenue, effectively increasing available funding for education without raising local taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Property Tax Revenue

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in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 79: Relating to reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes through the use of certain surplus state revenue.

HB 79 reduces school district property taxes by using surplus state revenue to lower the "state compression percentage" that affects local tax rates. It creates a fund from excess state revenue (90% of general revenue over budget growth limits) to decrease this percentage, potentially eliminating a school district's ability to levy tier one maintenance and operations taxes. When the compression percentage reaches zero, districts cannot impose these taxes and automatically receive full state funding as if they had the maximum allowable tax rate. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts by altering how state funding offsets local property tax burdens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses surplus state revenue to reduce school district property taxes by lowering the compression percentage, providing direct tax relief through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill uses surplus state revenue to reduce school district property taxes via lower compression percentage, increasing state funding for K-12 schools per Foundation School Program subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 67: Relating to the allocation and deposit of certain surplus state revenue to the property tax relief fund for use in reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes.

HB 67 would require Texas to deposit half of any surplus state general revenue at the end of each biennium into a property tax relief fund. This fund would be used exclusively by the Texas Education Agency to reduce school district property taxes through adjustments to the state's "compression percentage" formula. The bill directly affects school districts and property taxpayers by creating a mechanism to lower maintenance and operations tax rates. It applies starting with the 2027-2029 state fiscal biennium and takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates deposit of surplus revenue into property tax relief fund to reduce school district property taxes, directly providing tax relief to property taxpayers.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs surplus state revenue to reduce school district property taxes via dedicated fund, directly strengthening school funding stability and lowering taxpayer burden for education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget

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introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 18, 2025

SB 40: Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of property owned by certain nonprofit corporations, located in a populous county, and used to promote agriculture, support youth, and provide educational support in the community.

SB 40 would exempt property owned by qualifying nonprofits in Texas counties with 3.3 million+ residents from property taxes. The exemption applies to nonprofits using land for agriculture promotion, youth programs, and community education - specifically those organized exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes under state law. It covers both real and personal property but excludes for-profit leaseholders of such property. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying only to tax years beginning after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates property tax exemption for qualifying nonprofits under Taxation--Property-Exemptions, providing tax relief for community-focused entities.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts nonprofits providing community education from property taxes, explicitly including 'educational support' in its purpose and listing 'Education--General' as a subject.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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introduced · Texas · House Aug 15, 2025

HJR 14: Proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish ad valorem taxes.

HJR 14 proposes a constitutional amendment to end ad valorem property taxes in Texas. It would prohibit local governments from levying these taxes on real or personal property after January 1, 2031, and require the state to guarantee repayment of school district bonds issued before November 4, 2025, that were secured by such taxes. The amendment must be approved by voters in the November 4, 2025 election. This directly affects all Texas counties, cities, and school districts currently using ad valorem taxes for funding.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesAbolishes ad valorem property taxes, restricting local government tax authority and revenue sources critical to budgeting.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationAbolishes ad valorem property taxes, a primary school funding source, without replacing it. State bond guarantee only covers existing debt, not ongoing operational funding, leading to defunding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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introduced · Texas · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 140: Relating to a limitation on the authority of political subdivisions to issue public securities.

HB 140 would limit local governments' ability to issue new debt by capping annual property tax-based debt payments at 10% of the average property tax revenue from the previous three fiscal years. It directly affects cities, counties, and school districts that issue bonds or public securities, preventing them from authorizing new debt if payments exceed this 10% threshold. The bill establishes this statewide cap, overriding local charters or other provisions that might allow higher debt levels. The law would take effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts local governments' debt issuance by capping property tax-based payments at 10% of historical revenue, limiting fiscal flexibility and spending authority.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school districts' debt capacity for infrastructure/funding by capping property tax-based debt payments, limiting their ability to fund school projects and programs.85% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingCaps local debt issuance, restricting funding for housing development projects that rely on municipal bonds, thus limiting housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Property Tax Revenue Property Taxes

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introduced · Texas · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 118: Relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public institutions of higher education.

HB 118 requires Texas public universities to report on their compliance with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) spending policies before using state funds. Institutions must submit annual reports to the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, testify about compliance at legislative hearings, and undergo state audits every four years. The bill explicitly permits universities to highlight support for first-generation, low-income, and underserved students in grant applications or accreditation reports without violating the law. It also clarifies that academic instruction, research, student organizations, and admissions practices are exempt from the reporting requirements. This bill directly affects all public universities in Texas that receive state appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires DEI compliance reporting but explicitly permits universities to continue supporting underserved students, advancing DEI initiatives in higher education.85% confidence

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introduced · Texas · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 116: Relating to the repeal of the Moving Image Incentive Program.

HB 116 repeals Texas' Moving Image Incentive Program, which previously provided financial incentives to film and television productions. The bill directs the comptroller to transfer any remaining program funds to the Texas Education Agency to reduce the state's compression percentage for school funding. This change directly affects the film and entertainment industry, which no longer receives these state incentives. The policy shift redirects resources toward public education funding without altering existing school finance formulas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects film incentive funds to education, increasing public school funding allocation per bill's reallocation of program funds to Texas Education Agency.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects film program funds to Texas Education Agency to reduce school funding compression, directly increasing public education funding per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability School Funding

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in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 166: Relating to the elimination of school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes and the creation of a joint interim committee on the elimination of those taxes.

HB 166 would prohibit Texas school districts from imposing maintenance and operations property taxes starting January 1, 2028, directly affecting all school districts and property owners in those districts. It allows districts to instead levy a new "enrichment tax" of up to $0.17 per $100 in property value, separate from state funding. The bill also creates a joint legislative committee to study alternative revenue sources, such as expanding state consumption taxes, to fulfill Texas's constitutional duty to fund public schools. This bill focuses on restructuring school funding mechanisms rather than changing existing tax rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates school district property taxes (a major tax burden) and replaces with lower enrichment tax ($0.17/$100), providing direct tax relief to property owners per bill's explicit language.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill replaces mandatory M&O property taxes with a capped enrichment tax ($0.17/$100), reducing school district revenue potential and shifting funding burden to state alternatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding

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