News Summary
Texas lawmakers are making notable progress on key legislation as the session approaches its end, focusing on education funding and THC regulations. HB 2 aims to bolster public school funding with nearly $8 billion allocated, while Senate Bill 3 seeks to enhance regulations on THC products amid concerns about sales legality. As discussions unfold, property tax relief measures are also being considered, with proposals for increased exemptions. The outcome of these legislative efforts could have significant implications for the state’s educational landscape and THC product legalization.
Austin, Texas —
Texas lawmakers have made significant strides as they work toward finalizing key education and THC regulation bills ahead of the legislative session’s conclusion on June 2, 2025. Among the bills under consideration is HB 2, a historic public school funding proposal aimed at increasing financial support for Texas school districts. Concurrently, Senate Bill 3, targeting THC products, has gained momentum, passing the Senate for a third reading in the House with notable amendments.
THC Legislation Advances
Senate Bill 3 aims to enhance regulations on THC products, responding to concerns raised about the legality of certain sales in CBD stores. The Senate has amended the bill to prohibit the sale of vape products, limit hemp flower THC levels to 0.3%, and impose thorough regulations on other THC products. The legislative focus on this bill has prompted discussions about the potential adverse effects on veterans who rely on THC for medical purposes. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has underscored the necessity of the THC legislation, citing instances of shops selling THC above permitted levels.
Public School Funding Compromise
The Texas House has reached a tentative agreement on HB 2, which constitutes the largest public school funding initiative in state history. The bill allocates nearly $8 billion to various educational components, including a $55 per-student increase in the basic allotment. Although this represent a reduction from the House’s original proposal to increase teacher pay by $4.4 billion to $4.2 billion, the agreement includes an additional $500,000 to address fixed costs, bringing the total funding to $8.5 billion.
District leaders, including those from West Hardin CISD, have expressed urgent needs for budget support, highlighting the financial challenges faced by schools in filling funding gaps. The agreement includes financial provisions of $850 million for special education, $430 million for school safety, and $200 million for charter school facilities. Nevertheless, critics within the House, particularly Democrats, have raised concerns that the proposed funding adjustments do not fully account for inflation, with representatives noting that Texas schools have fallen behind by approximately $1,300 per student since 2019 when adjusted for inflation.
Property Tax Relief Measures
In addition to education funding, discussions have also centered on property tax relief. Senate Bills 4 and 23 have been introduced to increase the homestead exemption for homeowners and individuals with disabilities. SB 4 proposes raising the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, which is expected to benefit over 5.7 million homeowners and potentially result in average annual savings of $500.
The overall goal of the property tax relief package aims to provide around $10 billion in tax cuts for the current legislative session. The House is expected to conduct a final vote on property tax bills before they undergo reconciliation or further review in the Senate.
Legislative Timeline and Next Steps
As the legislative session nears its conclusion, time is of the essence for lawmakers to debate and finalize both the proposed amendments to the school finance bill and the THC regulation measures. The compromise regarding school funding, which had previously stalled due to negotiations, may assist in advancing the THC bill towards a final decision.
In summary, Texas lawmakers are actively working on important legislation that could significantly affect public education funding and THC regulations as they navigate the final days of the session. The outcomes of these discussions will have a lasting impact on the state’s educational landscape and legalization of THC products.
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Additional Resources
- KVUE News
- Wikipedia: Texas Education Funding
- Dallas News
- Google Search: Texas Legislation 2025
- Fox 7 Austin
- Google Scholar: THC Legislation Texas
- Community Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Property Tax Relief Texas
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google News: Texas Senate Bills
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
