Texas 89th Legislative Session: What Coaches Need to Know

By Joe Martin, THSCA Executive Director

The 89th legislative session is underway, and there’s plenty to keep an eye on. The bills emerging from this session have the potential to drastically alter the landscape of public school education and athletics in Texas. As we navigate this legislative season, it is crucial to stay informed and engaged.

Understanding the Texas Legislature

Before diving into the specifics of this session, let’s take a moment to revisit how the Texas Legislature operates. The legislative body consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate comprises 31 members, led by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, while the House consists of 150 members, led by Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows of Lubbock. While both chambers introduce and vote on their own bills, no legislation becomes law until it passes through both chambers and is signed by the governor.

In terms of passing legislation, the process tends to be quicker in the Senate, where a bill requires only 16 votes to pass, compared to the House, where 76 votes are needed. This means that priority bills, particularly those championed by the governor, often move through the Senate at a much faster pace.

Key Issues in the 89th Legislative Session

This session is shaping up to be a continuation of legislative battles from previous years. If you recall, the 86th session was dominated by discussions around homeschooling, while the 87th and 88th shifted focus to vouchers and school choice. This trend continues in the 89th session, where school choice is the defining issue.

Simply put, a voucher system allows students to transfer from public to private schools while taking a portion of public funding with them— funding that would have otherwise remained within the public school system. Given that Governor Greg Abbott has made school choice a top priority, it is expected to be one of the first major issues addressed this session. Bills deemed high priority are assigned low numbers, and in this case, the voucher bill is Senate Bill 2 (SB2), signifying its significance.

Beyond school choice, multiple bills directly affecting the University Interscholastic League (UIL) have been introduced. Over recent years, UIL’s enforcement of Texas’ eligibility rules has drawn both statewide and national attention. As part of the broader school choice debate, legislation such as House Bill 619 (HB619) proposes a "transfer portal," allowing students to switch schools without residency restrictions. Other proposed bills aim to redefine UIL’s authority in governance and eligibility adjudication.

While these bills are critical for high school athletics, they do not carry the same priority as vouchers and school funding. Therefore, they are expected to be debated later in the session. However, it is clear that vouchers, transfer portals, and UIL-related bills have the potential to significantly reshape high school athletics and impact school budgets across the state.

THSCA’s Legislative Priorities

As we move through the session, THSCA’s mission remains steadfast: protecting education and community-based athletics. Athletics play a vital role in shaping students, schools, families, and communities, and it is our duty to advocate for policies that preserve and strengthen that impact.

Our key legislative priorities include:

► Protecting UIL’s authority to oversee and enforce athletic rules and eligibility.

► Ensuring full funding for public schools so that they remain competitive and well-resourced.

► Mitigating the impact of vouchers on public school funding and resources.

► Maintaining athletics as a key component of a student’s education, rather than the primary focus of high school.

Navigating the legislative process involves strategic maneuvering. Bills rarely remain unchanged from introduction to passage, as negotiations often require compromise on one issue to secure strength in another. Through the work of our lobbyists and long-standing relationships with legislators, THSCA will closely monitor developments and advocate for policies that align with our mission.

Other Developments to Watch

Beyond formal legislation, other trends and policies threaten Texas athletics. One growing concern is the increasing number of school districts opting for open enrollment policies to boost student enrollment—and consequently, state funding. Without proper oversight, this could erode the foundation of community-based athletics, as students may begin transferring schools for athletic rather than educational reasons.

Additionally, reports of recruiting violations— particularly in metropolitan areas—are becoming more prevalent. This self-inflicted issue provides ammunition for those advocating for unrestricted school choice, as they argue that school-switching for athletic reasons is already happening. To protect the integrity of Texas high school athletics, it is essential that these issues be addressed at both the local and legislative levels.

What to Expect from THSCA

Throughout this session, THSCA remains committed to keeping our members informed and engaged. Your focus should remain on your students and athletes, and we will take on the responsibility of monitoring legislative developments. Our promise is to:

► Communicate important legislative updates that affect coaches and schools.

► Educate members on critical issues impacting athletics and public education.

► Organize calls to action when coach involvement can have the greatest impact.

In return, we ask that you trust our leadership in guiding you through this process. We encourage you to take action when needed, particularly in educating parents about UIL residency rules and how they relate to open enrollment.

One of the biggest takeaways from recent legislative cycles is the importance of voter engagement. Many of the challenges we face today stem from a lack of participation in primary elections, which resulted in the loss of key allies for public schools. We urge you to stay informed, involved, and prepared to make your voice heard in future elections.

Conclusion

As this legislative session unfolds, we look forward to working alongside our members and other coaching associations to amplify our collective voice. We have no doubt that Texas coaches will rise to this challenge, just as they do every day in their programs and communities.

Together, we can ensure that Texas high school athletics remains a strong, community-centered experience for our students. And as always, we are here to Help Coaches, Help Kids.

THSCA Legislative Info: See what bills THSCA is tracking this session/read important notes & alerts throughout the session at www.thsca.com/legislature/

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