"This is the session of zombie bills." Sine die is Monday and legislators are working overtime (Dax, too). Get updates on:

• Virtual instruction
• HB 3 cleanup bill
• SB 10, transparency in lobbying

And, we bid a special farewell to TASB Talks host Amanda Quraishi.

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We have a special episode this week! Dax is joined by his fellow TASB Governmental Relations staff members Marisha, Whitney, and Ruben. The roundtable discussion includes updates on virtual instruction bills, changes to the accountability system, and how the permitless carry bill would affect education.

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Dax is staying hydrated during these final weeks of the 87th Texas Legislature, where time is of the essence for any bills hoping to get passed. Texas trustees will return to the Capitol Wednesday. Our hosts talk about some public ed-related bills that died this week.

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TASB Governmental Relations is tracking 1,000 bills. Meanwhile, time is running out to get legislation heard.

This week, Dax and Q discuss the $11.2 billion in federal relief funds that will be allocated to Texas public schools. How will they be distributed? What's the timeline?

Our hosts also chat about SB 28 and charter school accountability.

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©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The House is working on the state budget. Some important amendments were made to SB 1 that affect education, including guidance on the $18 billion in federal relief funds.

SB 28 would limit the power of the State Board of Education and give more power to the education commissioner when it comes to charter applications.

Contact your lawmakers about SB 28: https://bit.ly/3tSr6vT

©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Things are moving quickly in the #txlege. Listen to Dax and Q discuss:

• The state budget and what it means for public education
• SB 28, a bill that would weaken oversight of charters
• $18 billion in federal funds meant for schools that have not been distributed.

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©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

On this week's Lege Update, Dax and Q talk about:

• The budget bill that passed the Texas Senate.
• An update on federal stimulus money for schools.
• What happened with STAAR testing?

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©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

TASB Governmental Relations is tracking more than 1,000 bills in the Texas Legislature. Dax and Amanda discuss just a few of them, including:

• SB 1, the Senate's budget bill
• SB 28, charter school expansion
• SB 481, pandemic operations
• HB 299, individual graduation committees
• HB 1525, the House Bill 3 (2019) cleanup bill

Contact your lawmakers on education issues: https://bit.ly/3cxTKME

©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Learn more about the education bills that were heard last week:

• HB 749, community censorship, would severely limit school board members' abilities to advocate at the Capitol.
• HB 3687 would increase transparency in lobbying.
• SB 1365, directed at Houston ISD, would expand the powers of the TEA Commissioner.
• SB 28, related to charter schools, would remove the authority of the State Board of Education to veto the commissioner's approval of new charters.

Subscribe to TASB's Legislative Report: https://bit.ly/31q1fyK Trustees, sign up for the School Board Advocacy Network: https://bit.ly/2O2ZnZz Contact your lawmakers on education issues: https://bit.ly/3cxTKME

©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

It's the first of our weekly Lege Updates! Dax and Amanda talk about: • The $12.4 billion in COVID relief funding earmarked for Texas public schools. How will it be used? • The Texas Supreme Court ruling on Houston ISD's school board • HB 1438 and charter school accountability • Charter school funding and spending • HB 5: Access to broadband services • Bills that were voted out of the House Public Education Committee and will now go to the floor, including HB 690, which adds continuing education requirements for trustees The Lege Update will be published weekly through the rest of the 2021 legislative session. Subscribe to TASB Talks wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss an episode.

©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.