Government Relations

capitol

The TEA Governmental Relations team manages the agency’s communications and interactions with the Texas Legislature, the Office of the Governor, elected officials, other state agencies, and stakeholder groups. Our office handles all legislative inquiries, monitors legislative hearings as well as prepares TEA staff to provide testimony when requested. Additionally, Governmental Relations tracks and analyses all education related legislation from bill introduction through implementation. 

Legislative Hearing Presentations

Recent TEA presentations to the Legislature are listed below:

Senate Finance Committee
Senate Education Committee
Senate - Other

House Appropriations Committee
House Public Education Committee
House - Other

Presentations

Improving Support for Teachers (Commissioner Presentation to TASA/TASB 2.26.19) (PDF)

Archived Presentations

Legislative Appropriations Request September 12, 2018 (PDF 1.1MB)

 

House Bill 3

House Bill 3 is a sweeping and historic school finance bill that was passed by the 86th Texas Legislature in 2019 and signed by Gov. Gregg Abbott. To read more about the bill visit our House Bill 3 page or email HB3info@tea.texas.gov.

Program and Budget Rider One Pagers

Gifted and Talented P-TECH and ICIA Military-Connected Students
Instructional Materials Portal Amachi Mentoring PreK Partnerships
Academic Competitions Texas Lesson Study Early Childhood Education Support Networks
Communities in Schools OnRamps Migrant Education Program
ESC Dyslexia Project Physical Fitness Assessment McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Recorded Instructional Materials Best Buddies Grow Your Own
Math Innovation Zones Mental and Behavioral Health T-STEM Academies
TX Virtual School Network Dual Language and Sheltered Instruction    
Early College High Schools Foster Care Education    

 

 

School Finance Commission

Information on the Texas Commission on Public School Finance can be found here.

 

Legislative Required Reports

The Texas Education Agency is required to provide reports on a variety of topics to the Texas Legislature. Reports to the 86th Legislature can be found at the Legislature Reports page. Previous reports to prior Legislative Sessions may be obtained by contacting Governmental Relations.

 

Legislative Session Briefing Book

After each Legislative Session, the Texas Education Agency produces a briefing book that describes new legislation that impacts public education. This briefing book is intended to be a high-level overview, and it is recommend researching the actual bill for specific language. 

 

School Finance Reports and Data

  • General Information on state funding can be found here
  • Information on state funding reports and data can be found here.
  • Information on specific school system financial data can be found here.

Advisory Committees

The 86th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3 and House Bill 3906, which requires the formation of five advisory committees to support public education

Contact Information

Please contact (govrel@tea.texas.gov) with any legislative inquiries.  

Agency: (512) 463-9734
Governmental Relations: (512) 463-9682
1701 N. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701 

 Staff

Hunter Thompson, Director
Hunter.Thompson@tea.texas.gov

Sarah Harrington, Specialist
Sarah.Harrington@tea.texas.gov

Joanna Warren, Specialist
Joanna.Warren@tea.texas.gov