Bill

HB 2554

87(R) - 2021
House Public Education
Senate Education
House Public Education
Senate Education
Public Education
Charter Schools 

Contact the Author

Gary Gates

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Positive
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive
  • Positive

Author(s)

Gary Gates
Alma A. Allen
Cody Harris
Eddie Lucio III

Co-Author(s)

Steve Allison
Charles Anderson
Trent Ashby
Cecil Bell Jr.
Keith Bell
Paul Bettencourt
Kyle Biedermann
Rhetta Andrews Bowers
Brad Buckley
John H Bucy III
DeWayne Burns
Briscoe Cain
Elizabeth "Liz" Campos
Terry Canales
Giovanni Capriglione
Jeff Cason
Travis Clardy
Sheryl Cole
Garnet F. Coleman
David Cook
Tom Craddick
John Cyrier
Drew Darby
Yvonne Davis
Jay Dean
Joe Deshotel
Alex Dominguez
Jake Ellzey
James Frank
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins
Jessica Gonzalez
Ryan Guillen
Sam Harless
Cole Hefner
Justin Holland
Dan Huberty
Lacey Hull
Todd Hunter
Jacey Jetton
Stephanie Klick
Matt Krause
Brooks Landgraf
Lyle Larson
Jeff Leach
Ben Leman
Oscar Longoria
Ray Lopez
J.M. Lozano
Theresa Meza
Mayes Middleton
Ina Minjarez
Joe Moody
Christina Morales
Eddie Morales
Geanie Morrison
Andrew Murr
Tom Oliverson
Leo Pacheco
Chris Paddie
Tan Parker
Jarred Patterson
Four Price
John Raney
Ron Reynolds
Eddie Rodriguez
Glenn Rogers
Ramon Romero Jr.
Scott Sanford
Matt Schaefer
Mike Schofield
Matt Shaheen
Hugh Shine
Bryan Slaton
Reggie Smith
John Smithee
David Spiller
Phil Stephenson
Valoree Swanson
James Talarico
Ed Thompson
Tony Tinderholt
Steve Toth
Cody Vasut
James White
Terry Wilson
Gene Wu

Sponsor(s)

Charles Schwertner

Co-Sponsor(s)

Sarah Eckhardt
Roland Gutierrez
Bob Hall

Bill Caption

Relating to the operation by a school district of a vocational education program to provide eligible high school students with vocational and educational training under a plan for the issuance of a high school diploma and the application of certain student-based allotments under the public school finance system.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB2554, Committee Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($37,756,771) through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

HB 2554 would create a vocational education program which would provide an alternate means to secure a high school diploma through vocational training. The purpose of a vocational education program under this bill is "to provide public education to high school students whose educational needs are better served by focused vocational education and training." Specific program requirements are outlined in the bill including the establishment of minimum curriculum requirements.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports HB 2554. While the bill does come with a hefty fiscal note, it is clear that our state's public education system does not currently work for everyone and not everyone needs to fit into the traditional K-12 to higher education pipeline. Providing an alternative path that will enable students to graduate high school with real vocational skills will enable those students to successfully and independently transition from school to the field of their choosing. This would be a significant improvement for public education in Texas.

Contact the Author

Gary Gates