Abbott Signs Texas School Choice Bill Into Law

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a sweeping school choice bill into law Saturday after spending years attempting to pass similar measures in the state.

The Texas Senate voted 19-12 on April 24 to accept House revisions to Senate Bill 2, sending the bill to the governor’s desk on April 29. The legislation, which will allow eligible parents to use public funds to help cover the cost of school tuition at any institution of the parent’s choosing, sets a $1 billion budget for the first year, though the cap will be removed the following year.

“Texas parents will finally have the power to choose what’s best for their kids,” the governor posted on X prior to the bill’s signing.

Under the legislation, children admitted into the voucher program will receive 85% of what public schools receive per student, which is currently around $10,000 per year, KXAN reported. Because only a limited number of students will be accepted into the program, students with disabilities whose family household income is at or below 500% of the federal poverty line will receive the highest priority level. Parents of students with disabilities who are accepted into the program will be eligible to receive up to $30,000 annually.

Despite decades of advocacy for school vouchers in Texas, a 2023 school choice measure, backed by Abbott,