State Board of Education – April 9, 2024
The State Board of Education (SBOE) Committee of the Full Board met on April 9. The committee held a public hearing followed by a discussion on proposed rulemaking of 19 TAC Chapter 120, English Language Proficiency Standards. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) staff then proceeded to review and invite committee […]
Eclipse Overview from TTC & PUC
During the Texas Transportation Commission’s March 28th meeting, commissioners received an overview by staff of TxDOT’s preparedness plan for the upcoming Solar Eclipse on April 8th. TxDOT staff noted that there are expected to be a million or more people to visit the state to see the eclipse. This […]
Texas – One of the Fastest Growing GDPs in the Nation
According to quarterly data posed by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Real Gross Domestic Product increased in all 50 states and D.C. in the fourth quarter of 2023. Among the top fastest growing GDPs in the nation, Texas’ grew at a rate of 5% while the nation as […]
Creation of New Select Committee on AI and Emerging Technologies
House Speaker Dade Phelan has created the new House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies. The committee will conduct a review of the advancements in AI and ET and the economic, ethical, and societal implications of those advancements. For more information on what the review shall include, the […]
Upcoming PUC Meeting – April 11
The Public Utility Commission will hold a meeting on April 11. The PUC will discuss the reliability standard, the Performance Credit Mechanism, the Reliability Plan for the Permian Basin, the Texas Energy Fund, among others. The agenda can be found here.
TCEQ Commission Meeting on April 24
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will be meeting on April 24 at 9:30 am and the Commissioners’ Agenda is now available for viewing. The meeting will be live stream when in progress.
TWDB Upcoming Meetings
The Texas Water Development Board has the following posted meetings and agendas for April:
State Implementation Plan (SIP) Revision for the 2008 Eight-Hour Ozone
Bexar County
On April 24, 2024, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will consider adoption of the Bexar County 2015 Eight-Hour Ozone Standard Moderate Nonattainment Area RACT SIP Revision (Non-Rule Project No. 2023-132-SIP-NR). The SIP revision includes a RACT analysis to address federal Clean Air Act RACT requirements for the moderate classification.
The […]
Upcoming SBOE Meetings – April 9-12
The State Board of Education will be meeting April 9-12. Below are links to the agendas and related informational materials.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
9:00 a.m. Committee of the Full Board (Room 1-104)
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
9:00 a.m. Committee of the Full […]
SBOE to Discuss the Innovative Course Sunset List
During the SBOE Committee on Instruction’s April 11th meeting, they will be discussing the in the potential sunset of certain innovative courses. It will be discussed during agenda item 8.
Item 8: Discussion of Innovative Course Sunset List
The review has been completed and the list was published last week. […]
SBOE to Discuss IMRA During Upcoming Meeting
The State Board of Education will discuss the proposed Instructional Materials Review and Approval Process at their upcoming board meeting on Tuesday, April 9th. IMRA will be discussed during two agenda items; item 4 and item 5.
Item 4: Update on the Instructional Materials Review and Approval Process
During […]
SBOE to Review SBEC Proposed Rules Concerning Ed Prep Programs
During the SBOE Committee on School Initiatives’ Thursday meeting, they will discuss SBEC proposed rules concerning educator preparation programs. It will be discussed during item 10 and item 11.
Item 10: Review of Adoption of Proposed Revisions to 19 TAC Chapter 230, Professional Educator Preparation and […]
Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium Executive Committee – April 5, 2024
The Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium Executive Committee met on April 5 to discuss possible appointment of an Executive Director, updates from Committee subcommittees, and possible future meeting dates.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of […]
Putting Together the HB 1605 Puzzle Pieces
Katy ISD curriculum leaders are forging ahead with informing staff and board members about changes resulting from HB 1605. Chief Academic Officer Dr. Christine Caskey and Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Sanee Bell have collaborated on meetings and presentations related to HB 1605, with Dr. Caskey doing the […]
Attachments
Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council Meets
The Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, appointed by Governor Abbott in February, met on March 21, 2024, to hear invited testimony on AI systems in use by the Department of Information Resources, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Teacher Retirement System. Council Chair Sen. […]
Governor Abbott Posthumously Presents Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Two Service Members
Governor Greg Abbott posthumously presented the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to U.S. Army Sergeant Major Jerry Lynn Bell and U.S. Army Master Sergeant Mike Peña during a ceremony at the Texas Capitol. The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration conferred to a service member […]
Texas Economic Update
The following information has been compiled in order to create a more complete snapshot of the current economic status of Texas. The most recent labor market information for the state is from February 2024.
February 2024 Labor Market Information
- Unemployment Rate: 3.9%
- Total Non-Farm Employment: 14,103,700
- Jobs Change Over the […]
Governor Launches Texas Space Commission
Governor Greg Abbott launched the Texas Space Commission and announced the inaugural members of the Texas Space Commission Board of Directors and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium Executive Committee at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The Commission is governed by a nine-member board of directors, who will also administer the legislatively […]
Texas Register Spotlight – March 15 & March 22 Edition
Below is a spotlight of summaries for the proposed, adopted, and withdrawn rules from the March 15th Edition of the Texas Register and the March 22nd Edition of the Texas Register.
Education
Texas Education Agency
Proposed Rules
- 19 TAC 100 Charters – TEA proposes the repeal of chapters related […]
HB 1416 Ratio Waiver List Announcement
For vendors seeking consideration for inclusion on the 2024-2025 HB 1416 Ratio Waiver List for providing accelerated instruction required by HB 1416 88(R), the submission deadline is Friday, April 19th. Vendors will be notified of approval status in May 2024.
House Bill 1416
HB 1416 updated requirements and provides that […]
Creation of House Select Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports
Speaker of the House Dade Phelan announced on X the creation of the House Selection Committee on Protecting Texas LNG Exports. The Speaker noted creation of the committee is in response to the federal government’s decision to pause pending approvals of LNG export projects. The proclamation establishing the committee […]
Appointments To Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium Executive Committee
The Governor has made the following appointments to the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium Executive Committee:
David E. Daniel, Ph.D. of Dallas is President Emeritus of UT Dallas, a part time engineering consultant and serves on several nonprofit boards. He is past president, executive committee member, and board member of the Texas Academy of Medicine, […]
Texas Tribune: Childcare in Texas Communities – March 20, 2024
This Texas Tribune panel took place on March 20, 2024 and discussed the issue of childcare policy. The panel includes moderator Karen Brooks Harper, a Texas Tribune reporter, Steven Pedigo, Director of the LBJ Urban Lab, Liza Gomez, Vice President of United Way of San Antonio and Bexar Country, Cristina […]
Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council – March 21, 2024
The Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council met on March 21, 2024, to hear invited testimony on AI systems in use by the Department of Information Resources, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Teacher Retirement System.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight the […]
Upcoming Chapter 313 Reporting Deadline
The Chapter 313 reporting deadline is approaching. Companies must submit the following documentation by April 1, 2024, to chapter.313@cpa.texas.gov:
- Revised Form 50-825 (PDF)
- Revised Excel version of Form 50-825
- Supporting documentation for job verification
Of note, the Comptroller’s Office no longer accepts the old form. The new form has […]