The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps the past week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments. ATPE members: Share your thoughts and ask our lobby team questions in The Rotunda on the ATPE Online Community. 

• Sine die and sayonara 
• TRS sets ActiveCare rates for 2025-26 
• TEA extends Houston ISD takeover through 2027 
• ATPE Summit housing deadline extended to June 13 
• Congratulations to the winners of the ATPE Regional Advocacy Challenge! 
• Session might be over, but you can still use ATPE’s member advocacy tools to stay in the know and take action 

SINE DIE: Both chambers of the Texas Legislature adjourned sine die Monday, June 2. The final deadline of the 89th session is a rolling deadline that concludes 20 days from sine die—this year on June 22. The governor has 20 days from the date he receives any bill delivered to him after May 23 to sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.  

Here are a few updates on major education-related legislation: 

• House Bill (HB) 2 by House Public Education Committee Chairman Brad Buckley (R–Salado), the House’s school finance bill, which contains pay raises for many educators: The bill has been signed by Gov. Greg Abbott (R).  
• HB 4 by Buckley, the House’s priority legislation on testing and accountability: After negotiations stalled and House members received thousands of messages urging them to reject the Senate’s amendments (including an increase in STAAR testing), the bill died. 
• ATPE-supported HB 6 by Rep. Jeff Leach (R–McKinney), the House’s priority school discipline bill: The bill has reached the governor’s desk. 
• Senate Bill (SB) 13 by Sen. Angela Paxton (R–McKinney), the Senate’s priority legislation on parental access and consent for library materials, and SB 12 by Senate Education K-16 Committee Chairman Brandon Creighton (R–Conroe), the Senate’s priority omnibus “parental rights” bill: Both bills have been sent to the governor. 

Read more in this blog post, and stay tuned for a comprehensive wrap-up of this session’s education bills. 

TRS: The Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Board of Trustees met in Austin this week following sine die of the Legislature to adopt the 2025-26 rates for TRS-ActiveCare health insurance. The 89th Texas Legislature provided $369 million in supplemental funding, which is projected to save $1,350 on average per employee in premiums over the biennium. Read more about plan types and coverage options in the TRS Board Book and on the TRS-ActiveCare Plan Details webpage. 

TRS will offer From A to Z: Your TRS-ActiveCare Plan webinars for participants from June to August. These 30-minute virtual webinars will go over plan options, benefits details, and money-saving programs. All event dates and times are available on TRS’ events webpage.  

ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter has more in this blog post. 

HOUSTON ISD: Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath announced Monday the agency would extend its takeover of Houston ISD to June 2027. Although Morath applauded the district for its improvements, he said in a statement: “Ultimately, two years has not been enough time to fix district systems that were broken for decades. The extension of this intervention will allow the district to build on its progress and achieve lasting success for students once the board transitions back to elected leadership.” 

According to The Texas Tribune, progress toward a return to local control would require no school campuses with failing accountability scores across multiple years, compliance with special education requirements, and improved school board governance.  

SUMMIT: There’s still time to book your room for the 2025 ATPE Summit at ATPE’s exclusive discounted hotel rate—the housing deadline is now Friday, June 13. Visit atpesummit.org/housingreservations to make your reservation. 

Be sure to also check out what’s in store for Beats & Boutiques, a festival-inspired evening social featuring live music, interactive activities, and a curated selection of local vendors sure to captivate and delight. Summit registration includes entrance to this event, so we hope to see you there! Learn more at atpesummit.org. 

We look forward to seeing you at the summit July 7–9 at the JW Austin Marriott Downtown. 

REGIONAL ADVOCACY CHALLENGE: Congratulations to the following regions for winning the 2025 ATPE Regional Advocacy Challenge! 

Regions with under 2,000 members: 

• 1st Place: Region 14 ATPE 
• 2nd Place: Region 5 ATPE 

Regions with 2,000 to 5,000 members:  

• 1st Place: Region 13 ATPE 
• 2nd Place: Region 12 ATPE 

Regions with 5,001+ members:  

• 1st Place: Region 10 ATPE  
• 2nd Place: Region 4 ATPE 

At the ATPE Summit, we'll recognize the first- and second-place region in each category, as well as the overall first-, second-, and third-place RAC Stars statewide. We're keeping those names a surprise for right now! Thank you to everyone who participated in RAC! You are amazing public education advocates! Log in to the ATPE Online Community to see how many points your region RACked up. 

MEMBER ADVOCACY: The legislative session may be over, but we urge you to stay in the know and take action year-round. Here are a few advocacy resources to check out: 

• Judy: Chat with ATPE’s new AI assistant for Texas educators, ready to help you with all things ATPE and all things #txed.   
• Advocacy Central: Get in touch with your elected officials at the state or federal level about the legislative issues impacting your profession. 
• ATPE Member Advocate Program (ATPE-MAP): Enroll in ATPE-MAP to earn the state-level and recently released local-level advocacy microcredential, as well as earn continuing professional education (CPE) credit. ATPE-MAP is included in your member benefits, so check it out today.    
• The Rotunda: Don’t forget, members, that you can interact with your ATPE lobby team throughout the week when you log in to the ATPE Online Community. If you have questions about the legislative session, this is the place to go!