News Summary
Governor Greg Abbott recently signed significant bills aimed at enhancing Texas’s business landscape and education system. Senate Bill 29 establishes stronger legal protections for businesses, making Texas a top contender for corporate headquarters. Additionally, the $8 billion school finance package aims to improve teacher salaries and resources. With the passage of SB 2617, Texas is also reinforcing traditional historical terms in education. These legislative moves underscore Texas’s commitment to a prosperous future for both businesses and education.
Texas governor Greg Abbott has signed significant legislation aimed at enhancing the state’s business environment and educational funding. Among the new laws is Senate Bill 29, dubbed “DExit,” which is designed to bolster Texas’ business courts and strengthen its position as the preeminent state for business operations in the United States.
SB 29 is a direct response to an increasing number of companies considering exit strategies from Delaware, once the leading state for business incorporations. The legislation is intended to reinforce Texas as the “Headquarters of Headquarters,” providing business leaders with enhanced legal protections and a more stable environment for investment decisions, free from the fears of costly litigation.
Glenn Hamer, CEO of the Texas Association of Business (TAB), expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of state leaders that facilitated the passage of SB 29, marking it as a pivotal change for Texas businesses. He described the bill as a game-changer that solidifies the state’s standing as a global business leader and promotes confidence among business leaders aiming for bold investment moves.
Furthermore, SB 29 modernizes corporate laws and establishes the business judgment rule in Texas, which safeguards businesses from litigation and expedites dispute resolution processes. This law is expected to attract more enterprises looking for a conducive legal landscape for their operations.
In addition to SB 29, Governor Abbott also enacted Senate Bill 1058, which introduces the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE). The TXSE is touted as a potential new hub for the financial services industry within the state. To further bolster this initiative, House Joint Resolution 4 (HJR 4) plans to enhance the TXSE and is set for a vote during the upcoming Constitutional Amendment election on November 5, 2025.
On the same day, the Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 2, a sweeping $8 billion school finance package, achieving remarkable bipartisan support with a vote of 144-4. Governor Abbott characterized HB 2 as a “monumental step” towards improving teacher salaries and funding for school districts across Texas.
However, there remains an urgent call for the Texas Senate to act on HB 2, as the measure awaits consideration. Although SB 2—a school choice bill—has already advanced, HB 2’s fate remains uncertain and crucial for addressing financial disparities between urban and rural school districts. HB 2 seeks to increase the basic funding allotment and aims for equitable local district funding, contrasting against Senate proposals that impose strict spending regulations.
The Texas Senate’s hesitations and alterations to HB 2 echo prior instances where delays resulted in severe funding crises among public school students. Currently, public schools in Texas contend with extensive regulations, amounting to over 1,800 pages of education code, which complicate funding mechanisms for education. Support for HB 2 comes from the Texas Association of Rural Schools, which advocates for investments that enhance future educational opportunities in rural regions of the state.
Educational Policy Changes
In a different legislative development, Texas Senate Bill 2617 has been approved with a vote of 23-8, mandating the use of traditional dating conventions “Before Christ” (B.C.) and “Anno Domini” (A.D.) in public school materials. The bill requires districts to develop policies supporting these conventions while prohibiting the purchase of materials including “B.C.E.” (Before Common Era) and “C.E.” (Common Era) terms.
This move is seen as part of a broader trend towards reinforcing traditional educational values in Texas, reflecting the state’s conservative shifts in education policy, including other legislative efforts promoting prayer and Bible readings in schools. These legislative changes highlight the evolving dynamics and influences affecting public education within the state.
As Texas continues to implement these new laws, the outcomes for both the business sector and the education system remain to be seen, with stakeholders closely monitoring their impact on Texas’ economic landscape and its educational framework.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Dallas News: Texas Senate Must Pass HB 2
- KVUE: Texas Senate Committee Bill Expand Medical Cannabis Program
- Chron: Texas Senate Bill on Biblical Terms in Schools
- Fox 7 Austin: Texas Senate Public Schools Use B.C. and A.D.
- The Hill: Texas Senate Bill on Power Cost
- Wikipedia: Texas Legislature
- Google Search: Texas Senate Bill
- Google Scholar: Texas Education Funding
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas
- Google News: Texas Legislation
