Texas Catholic Voice April 22, 2025

This week we mourn with the entire human family for the loss of our Holy Father, Pope Francis. His deep commitment to the teachings of the Church, especially his concern for the dignity of every human person and for our common home, and his efforts to reconcile and bring peace to our world has been an inspiration not just to Catholics, but for millions of people.

May the Holy Spirit guide our cardinals, including Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, as they begin their discernment for the next successor of St. Peter.

In the wee hours of Holy Thursday, the Texas House passed SB 2, the parental choice bill establishing Education Savings Accounts to increase educational options for families. The legislation will serve about 90,000 families across the state and prioritizes children with disabilities and low-income households. An application should become available in early 2026 for the 26-27 school year.

The Comptroller of Public Accounts is responsible for administering the program, which will include contracting with educational assistance organizations to receive applications and manage accounts. We are excited to assist in the implementation of this historic program by working with our Catholic schools to educate families on the availability of the program and the application process.

We thank Rep. Brad Buckley, Sen. Brandon Creighton, Speaker Burrows, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Gov. Abbott and Rep. James Frank for their tireless efforts to pass this legislation.

We are especially grateful to our superintendents, principals, parents, and pastors who spent long days and nights at the Capitol testifying and visiting their legislators. Your support was critical, and the impact you made cannot be understated.

Bills in Committee April 21-25

House Public Health, Monday, noon

HB 2684 by Rep. Valoree Swanson requires that perinatal palliative care information be provided to a woman whose preborn child is diagnosed with a life-threatening disability. The TCCB supports this bill to provide life-affirming support to pregnant women and their families.

House Human Services, Tuesday, 8 a.m.

HB 1106 by Rep. Matt Shaheen ensures that it is not defined as abuse if a parent refuses to affirm the child's expressed sexual orientation or gender identity or use a child's preferred pronouns. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent inappropriate allegations of abuse for parents who do not accept gender ideology.

House Intergovernmental Affairs, Tuesday, 8 a.m.

HB 164 by Diego Bernal makes several improvements to migrant labor housing facilities including educational outreach to inform both workers and operators about their rights and responsibilities, improving compliance and fostering better living conditions. The TCCB supports this bill to improve housing conditions for migrant workers.

House Public Education, Tuesday, 8 a.m.

HB 1551 by Rep. Hillary Hickland requires school districts and open enrollment charter schools to notify parents if employees have been charged with sex offenses within 2 days of awareness of the alleged offense. The TCCB supports this bill because it enhances protections for school children.

HB 2674 by Rep. David Cook prohibits any state educational institution from making a rule that increases regulation of homeschool programs. The TCCB supports this bill to prevent regulation of homeschools as it respects parents as the primary educators of their children.

HB 3029 by Rep. Donna Howard allows a public or private school to permit an employee, including a nurse, to administer nonprescription medication to a student without further authorization from the student's health care provider if the school has written permission from the parent. The TCCB supports this bill to allow students to have efficient access to over the counter medication in schools.

House Criminal Jurisprudence, Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.

HB 3330 by Rep. David Cook allows a court to limit a defendant's request for discovery if the court finds that it is unduly broad or burdensome or implicates the security and privacy interests of any victim or witness and the document, item, or information was not shown to be reasonably necessary to the defense. The bill also limits discovery to evidence "relevant to any fact of consequence in determining" the action replacing "material to any matter involved in" the action. It also requires that the request for discovery be a "specific written" request. The TCCB opposes this repeal of the Michael Morton Act which seeks to prevent wrongful convictions by ensuring defendants have access to all potentially exculpatory information.

HB 3166 & HJR 148 by Rep. David Cook is a constitutional amendment that would allow the legislature to provide for a court to grant a commutation of punishment to certain individuals serving a term of imprisonment. The TCCB supports this bill to address lengthy sentences and promote re-entry and rehabilitation.

Senate Criminal Justice, Tuesday, 8 a.m.

SB 456 by Mayes Middleton requires the medical board to revoke the license of any physician who knowingly uses a human organ obtained in violation of the law. The TCCB supports this bill to provide for ethical organ donation.

Senate Education K-16, Tuesday, 11 a.m.

SB 1798 removes the Texas DREAM Act allowing residency claims based on high school graduation in Texas. The TCCB opposes this bill which reduces access to education for immigrants.

House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services, Thursday, 8 a.m.

HB 4339 by Rep. Stan Lambert raises interest rates on 342E unsecured consumer loans. The TCCB opposes this bill because it raises the cost of credit for consumers, reducing affordable loan options.

Senate Health & Human Services, Wednesday, 8 a.m.

SB 2357 by Sen. Charles Perry requires HHSC establish the training program "TexasAIM" to assist health care providers with implementing maternal safety projects and decreasing incidents of preventable maternal death and severe maternal morbidity by applying best practices for maternal safety. The TCCB supports this bill to improve maternal safety.

Senate Natural Resources, Wednesday, 8 a.m.

SB 2082 by Sen. Boris Miles prohibits the operation of concrete crushing facilities within 440 yards of a hospital. The TCCB supports this bill to improve air quality around hospitals for the protection of vulnerable patients.

House Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Wednesday, 8 a.m.

HB 3728 by Rep. Penny Morales Shaw mandates the TCEQ to adopt salinary requirements for bays and estuaries. The TCCB supports this bill to ensure healthy bays & estuaries.

House New Offenses & Changed Penalties, Thursday, 8 a.m.

HB 3189 by Rep. Helen Kerwin expands the locations where a first-degree felony in human trafficking may occur. It includes if any part of the offense occurred within 1,000 feet of school bus stops and other drop-off and student pick-up locations. The TCCB supports this bill because it protects vulnerable children from human trafficking.

House Land & Resource Management, Thursday, 8 a.m.

SB 840 by Sen. Bryan Hughes expands residential options in commercial zones. The TCCB supports this bill to allow housing to be built in areas zoned for commercial use or office space, creating much-needed housing options, especially in areas with high demand.

HB 5187 by Rep. Jared Patterson streamlines the conversion of empty or underutilized commercial properties into residential or mixed-use development including allowing residential in office zones without zoning changes. The TCCB supports this bill to increase housing affordability.

Senate Local Government, Thursday, 8 a.m.

SB 2477 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt streamlines the conversion of empty or underutilized commercial properties into residential or mixed-use development including allowing residential in office zones without zoning changes. The TCCB supports this bill to increase housing affordability.