HB 117: Schoolcraft Task Force Bill Redesigns No Early Childhood Program

Caption

relating to the establishment of the governor's task force on the governance of early childhood education and care.

Summary

Recommendations due December 1, 2026. Task force abolished September 1, 2027.

The bill creates a temporary governor's task force, housed at the Texas Education Agency, to study how Texas runs early childhood education and child care. It brings together the heads of the Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Workforce Commission, along with teachers, agency representatives and governor-appointed stakeholders. The task force reviews the three agencies, sends the Legislature recommendations by December 1, 2026, and is abolished on September 1, 2027, so no program is redesigned by this bill itself.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote May 30, 2025: the House concurred in the Senate amendments. 3 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on Jun 20, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB117 · 2025-03-13

SOLD BY

Rep. Alan SchoolcraftRHouse 44

ITEM

relating to the establishment of the governor's task force on the governance of early childhood education and care.

WHAT IT DOES

Recommendations due December 1, 2026. Task force abolished September 1, 2027.

The bill creates a temporary governor's task force, housed at the Texas Education Agency, to study how Texas runs early childhood education and child care. It brings together the heads of the Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Education Agency and the Texas Workforce Commission, along with teachers, agency representatives and governor-appointed stakeholders. The task force reviews the three agencies, sends the Legislature recommendations by December 1, 2026, and is abolished on September 1, 2027, so no program is redesigned by this bill itself.

CHARGES

[x] STUDY, TASK FORCE, COMMISSION, REPORTanalysis confidence 80%

THE TEXT

…“task force shall develop and submit to the legislature policy and”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill's main product is a report of recommendations to the Legislature, so any actual redesign waits for a later bill. The caption says plainly that it creates a task force.

[x] NEW FEE, FUND, BOARD OR APPOINTEESanalysis confidence 60%

THE TEXT

“(c) The governor shall appoint the chair of the task force.”

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill creates a new state body with governor-appointed members and a chair. The caption honestly names this body.

TOTAL

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($788,174)

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version F · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB117, As Passed 2nd House: a negative impact of ($2,154,136) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The Texas Education Agency and other entities to which the provisions apply are required to implement a provision of the bill only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the Texas Education Agency and other applicable entities may, but are not required to, implement a provision of the bill using other appropriations available for that purpose. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · ($788,174)

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Mar 13, 2025Filed
Mar 14, 2025Read first time
Mar 14, 2025Referred to Public Education
Mar 19, 2025Referred to s/c on Academic & Career-Oriented Education by chair
Mar 27, 2025Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
Mar 27, 2025Considered by s/c in public hearing
Mar 27, 2025Committee substitute considered in s/c
Mar 27, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
Mar 27, 2025Left pending in subcommittee
Apr 3, 2025Recalled from subcommittee
Apr 3, 2025Considered in formal meeting
Apr 3, 2025Committee substitute considered in committee
Apr 3, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
Apr 9, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Apr 9, 2025Committee report distributed
Apr 10, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
Apr 14, 2025Considered in Calendars
Apr 16, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
Apr 17, 2025Read 2nd time
Apr 17, 2025Passed to engrossment
Apr 17, 2025Record vote RV#295
Apr 17, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Apr 17, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 17, 2025Passed
Apr 17, 2025Record vote RV#314
Apr 17, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Apr 17, 2025Reported engrossed
Apr 22, 2025Received from the House
May 21, 2025Read first time
May 21, 2025Referred to Economic Development
May 23, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 23, 2025Posting rule suspended
May 23, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 23, 2025Vote taken in committee
May 25, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendments
May 25, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
May 26, 2025Co-sponsor authorized
May 26, 2025Placed on intent calendar
May 27, 2025Not again placed on intent calendar
May 28, 2025Placed on intent calendar
May 28, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
May 28, 2025Record vote
May 28, 2025Read 2nd time
May 28, 2025Amendment(s) offered FA1 Campbell
May 28, 2025Amended
May 28, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
May 28, 2025Amendment(s) offered FA2 Campbell
May 28, 2025Amended
May 28, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
May 28, 2025Passed to 3rd reading as amended
May 28, 2025Record vote
May 28, 2025Three day rule suspended
May 28, 2025Record vote
May 28, 2025Read 3rd time
May 28, 2025Passed
May 28, 2025Record vote
May 29, 2025Senate passage as amended reported
May 29, 2025Senate Amendments distributed
May 29, 2025Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
May 30, 2025House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
May 30, 2025Record vote RV#4063
May 30, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 30, 2025Text of Senate Amendment(s)
May 30, 2025House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
May 30, 2025Reported enrolled
May 31, 2025Signed in the House
Jun 1, 2025Signed in the Senate
Jun 1, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Signed by the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Effective immediately

FILED UNDER

GOVERNMENT GROWTH UNDER A CONSERVATIVE BANNER

THE TEXT

“(c) The governor shall appoint the chair of the task force.”

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill creates a new state task force with governor-appointed members and a chair, with its costs paid by the Texas Education Agency.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 103 yea · 40 nay

Senate · 25 yea · 6 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 17, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Alan Schoolcraft

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$55K Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$13K Dustin Burrows Campaign$10K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$55,250.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$55,250.00

Cash: $55,000.00
Paid by others: $250.00
Total: $55,250.00

fundraiser $250.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Dec 17, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100986880, 101012418, 101032822.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$12,500.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$12,500.00

Cash: $12,500.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $12,500.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to Aug 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100986880, 101068954.

Dustin Burrows Campaign$10,000.00

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$10,000.00

Cash: $10,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $10,000.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Feb 10, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101041197.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$55,250.00

Cash: $55,000.00
Paid by others: $250.00
Total: $55,250.00

fundraiser $250.00

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Dec 17, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100986880, 101012418, 101032822.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$12,500.00

Cash: $12,500.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $12,500.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 27, 2024 to Aug 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100986880, 101068954.

×

Dustin Burrows Campaign

$10,000.00

Cash: $10,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $10,000.00

Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Feb 10, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101041197.

Votes7

House May 30, 2025

Yea: 110
Nay: 23
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 9
Excused: 6

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 4063

Representative Schoolcraft moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 117. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 117 prevailed by (Record 4063): 110 Yeas, 23 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 110 (published)
Nay: 23 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 9 (derived from named list)
Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Yea: 25
Nay: 6
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 25 (published)
Nay: 6 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Yea: 27
Nay: 4
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Campbell moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 117 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 27 (published)
Nay: 4 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Yea: 25
Nay: 6
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

HB 117 as amended was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 25, Nays 6.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 25 (published)
Nay: 6 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 28, 2025

Yea: 27
Nay: 4
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Campbell moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 117 at this time on its second reading: HB 117, Relating to the establishment of the governor's task force on the governance of early childhood education and care. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays 4.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 27 (published)
Nay: 4 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 17, 2025

Yea: 103
Nay: 40
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 3
Excused: 2

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 314

HB 117 was passed by (Record 314): 103 Yeas, 40 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 103 (published)
Nay: 40 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 3 (derived from named list)
Excused: 2 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 17, 2025

Yea: 119
Nay: 24
Present, not voting: 1
Absent: 6
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 295

CSHB 117 was passed to engrossment by (Record 295): 119 Yeas, 24 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 119 (published)
Nay: 24 (published)
Present, not voting: 1 (published)
Absent: 6 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses29

For: 26
Against: 0
On: 3

Names

For

ATPE1 registration
Center for Transforming Lives1 registration
Children at Risk1 registration
Conference of Urban Counties1 registration
Dallas Regional Chamber1 registration
Early Matters Texas1 registration
Greater Houston Partnership1 registration
Philanthropy Advocates1 registration
Self2 registrations
Self; Goddard School Long Meadow Farms1 registration
Self; Godddard School of Cedar Park1 registration
Self; NCCC1 registration
Self; Pre-K 4 SA1 registration
Self; Texas Licensed Child Care Association1 registration
Self; TLCCA1 registration
Texans Care for Children1 registration
Texas 20361 registration
Texas Association of Business1 registration
Texas Business Leadership Council1 registration
Texas Public Charter Schools Assc1 registration
Texas Restaurant Association1 registration
TexProtects1 registration
The Commit Partnership1 registration
The Commit Partnership, Texas Workforce Solutions Dallas Board1 registration
Travis County Commissioners Court1 registration

On

Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)1 registration
Texas Education Agency1 registration
Texas Workforce Commission1 registration

Sources

29 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($788,174)

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version F · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB117, As Passed 2nd House: a negative impact of ($2,154,136) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The Texas Education Agency and other entities to which the provisions apply are required to implement a provision of the bill only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the Texas Education Agency and other applicable entities may, but are not required to, implement a provision of the bill using other appropriations available for that purpose. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · ($788,174)

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Adversarial review by claude-opus-5-5 at high effort: Smells.

Analysis of text version E by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 13, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective immediately

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 3:07 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Companion

HB 3802 by Schoolcraft (duplicate)

Subjects

Education--Primary & Secondary--General

Governor

Human Services--Child Services

State Agencies, Boards & Commissions--Newly Proposed

State Finances--Management & Control

PRESCHOOL & PREKINDERGARTEN

EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS

GOVERNOR ’S TASK FORCE ON GOVERNANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE (VQ11K)

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION

STATE HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF

WORKFORCE COMMISSION, TEXAS

Text

The text as introduced · 645 words

89R10937 MM-D

By: Schoolcraft
H.B. No. 117

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the governor's task force on the

governance of early childhood education and care.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, is amended

by adding Chapter 455 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 455. GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON GOVERNANCE OF EARLY

CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE

Sec. 455.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "task force"

means the governor's task force on the governance of early

childhood education and care established under this chapter.

Sec. 455.002. ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The governor's task

force on the governance of early childhood education and care is

established to address the governance and operational challenges of

the early childhood education system in this state.

(b) The task force is administratively attached to the Texas

Education Agency.

Sec. 455.003. MEMBERS. (a) The task force shall include a

steering committee composed of the following members:

(1) the executive commissioner of the Health and Human

Services Commission;

(2) the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency;

(3) the commissioner of the Texas Workforce

Commission;

(4) relevant division directors designated by the

individuals described by Subdivisions (1), (2), and (3); and

(5) the Texas Education Agency's inter-agency deputy

director of early childhood support.

(b) The task force is composed of the following members:

(1) a representative from the Texas Head Start State

Collaboration Office appointed by the governor;

(2) a representative from the Department of State

Health Services appointed by the governor;

(3) representatives from the Texas Early Learning

Council designated by the steering committee described by

Subsection (a); and

(4) individuals with knowledge of or experience with

early childhood education and care, including business and

community leaders, representatives of nonprofit organizations, and

other relevant stakeholders, appointed by the governor.

(c) The governor shall appoint the chair of the task force.

(d) To the extent of a conflict with this chapter, Chapter

2110 does not apply to the task force.

Sec. 455.004. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The task force shall:

(1) examine governance and operational challenges in

the early childhood education and care system, including federal

and local child-care programs and regulations governing those

programs;

(2) conduct a comprehensive review of the existing

functions and responsibilities of the Health and Human Services

Commission, Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission

related to early childhood education and care;

(3) assess the need for a large-scale redesign of the

administration of early childhood programs to improve service

delivery, quality of care, and the efficient use of funding;

(4) align goals and metrics of the Health and Human

Services Commission, Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce

Commission to measure progress, including aligning statewide data

systems; and

(5) require the Health and Human Services Commission,

Texas Education Agency, and Texas Workforce Commission to complete

periodic progress reports and regularly refine statewide goals and

strategic plans to ensure alignment with evolving early childhood

education and care needs and collaboration with the Texas Early

Learning Council.

(b) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the

purpose, the Texas Education Agency shall pay the costs of data

system integration, research, and administration for the task

force.

Sec. 455.005. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2026, the

task force shall develop and submit to the legislature policy and

budget recommendations designed to improve early childhood

education and care governance that will lead to increased

affordable child care capacity and improved kindergarten

readiness.

Sec. 455.006. EXPIRATION. The task force is abolished and

this chapter expires September 1, 2027.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: Smells

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Dustin Burrows Campaign

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Dustin Burrows Campaign

House May 30, 2025

Senate May 28, 2025

Senate May 28, 2025

Senate May 28, 2025

Senate May 28, 2025

House Apr 17, 2025

House Apr 17, 2025

For

On

Companion