HB 3627: Tepper Bill Lets Education Board Chair Hire And Fire Staff

Caption

relating to allowing the chair of the State Board of Education to employ personnel to assist in performing the board's duties.

Caption from analyzed text · version E.

Summary

Staff answer directly to the chair, with state retirement and health benefits. TEA does payroll.

The bill lets the chair of the State Board of Education hire, direct, pay, and fire the board's own staff, paid with money the legislature provides. It touches the 15 elected board members, the new hires, and the Texas Education Agency, which must give those staff payroll, HR, IT, legal, and other support. Today the board relies on agency employees, and starting September 1, 2025, it can have its own staff who answer directly to the chair and get state retirement and health benefits.

Labels

Labels: ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 2 Republicans, 1 Democrat. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB3627 · 2025-03-03

SOLD BY

Rep. Carl H. TepperRHouse 84

Rep. Terri Leo WilsonRHouse 23

Rep. Aicha DavisDHouse 109

ITEM

relating to allowing the chair of the State Board of Education to employ personnel to assist in performing the board's duties.

WHAT IT DOES

Staff answer directly to the chair, with state retirement and health benefits. TEA does payroll.

The bill lets the chair of the State Board of Education hire, direct, pay, and fire the board's own staff, paid with money the legislature provides. It touches the 15 elected board members, the new hires, and the Texas Education Agency, which must give those staff payroll, HR, IT, legal, and other support. Today the board relies on agency employees, and starting September 1, 2025, it can have its own staff who answer directly to the chair and get state retirement and health benefits.

CHARGES

[x] NEW FEE, FUND, BOARD OR APPOINTEESanalysis confidence 50%

THE TEXT

“employ personnel as necessary to assist all”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill creates new state positions under the board chair, with state retirement and group benefits. The caption says this openly and does not promise less government.

TOTAL

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($758,272)

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

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 13, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3627, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($1,491,769) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. 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 · ($758,272)

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 3, 2025Filed
Mar 25, 2025Read first time
Mar 25, 2025Referred to Public Education
Apr 8, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 8, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 8, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Apr 8, 2025Left pending in committee
Apr 22, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 22, 2025Committee substitute considered in committee
Apr 22, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
Apr 29, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Apr 29, 2025Committee report distributed
Apr 30, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
May 2, 2025Considered in Calendars
May 6, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
May 7, 2025Read 2nd time
May 7, 2025Amended 1-A. Davis
May 7, 2025Passed to engrossment as amended
May 7, 2025Record vote RV#1661
May 7, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 8, 2025Read 3rd time
May 8, 2025Passed
May 8, 2025Record vote RV#1776
May 8, 2025Reported engrossed
May 8, 2025Received from the House
May 9, 2025Read first time
May 9, 2025Referred to Education K-16
May 20, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
May 20, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 20, 2025Testimony taken in committee
May 20, 2025Left pending in committee
May 21, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 21, 2025Vote taken in committee
May 22, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendments
May 22, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
May 23, 2025Co-sponsor authorized
May 23, 2025Placed on intent calendar
May 23, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
May 23, 2025Record vote
May 23, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
May 23, 2025Record vote
May 25, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
May 25, 2025Record vote
May 25, 2025Read 3rd time
May 25, 2025Passed
May 25, 2025Record vote
May 26, 2025Senate passage reported
May 26, 2025Reported enrolled
May 27, 2025Signed in the House
May 27, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 28, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Signed by the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

GOVERNMENT GROWTH UNDER A CONSERVATIVE BANNER

THE TEXT

“employ personnel as necessary to assist all”…

Bill text, engrossed version (E)

The bill authorizes a new set of state employees who report to the board chair and draw state benefits.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 136 yea · 10 nay

Senate · 24 yea · 7 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 8, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 25, 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

Carl H. Tepper

Donors

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$100K Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$25K Beef PAC$8K

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 27, 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.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$100,000.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$100,000.00

Cash: $100,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $100,000.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 22, 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: 101072176.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$25,083.33

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$25,083.33

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $83.33
Total: $25,083.33

fundraiser $83.33

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 · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 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: 101009037, 101027338, 101072176.

Beef PAC$8,000.00

Beef PAC

$8,000.00

Cash: $8,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $8,000.00

Also funds 80 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Oct 20, 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: 101012320, 101057498, 101072176.

Money

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

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$100,000.00

Cash: $100,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $100,000.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 22, 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: 101072176.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$25,083.33

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $83.33
Total: $25,083.33

fundraiser $83.33

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 · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 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: 101009037, 101027338, 101072176.

×

Beef PAC

$8,000.00

Cash: $8,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $8,000.00

Also funds 80 other sitting lawmakers.

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

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Oct 20, 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: 101012320, 101057498, 101072176.

Votes6

Senate May 25, 2025

Yea: 24
Nay: 7
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 24, Nays 7. (Same as previous roll call)

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

Yea: 24 (published)
Nay: 7 (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 25, 2025

Yea: 24
Nay: 7
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 Sparks moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 3627 at this time on its third reading and final passage: HB 3627, Relating to allowing the chair of the State Board of Education to employ personnel to assist in performing the board's duties. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7.

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

Yea: 24 (published)
Nay: 7 (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 23, 2025

Yea: 24
Nay: 7
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 second time and was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7. (Same as previous roll call)

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

Yea: 24 (published)
Nay: 7 (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 23, 2025

Yea: 24
Nay: 7
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 Sparks moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 3627 at this time on its second reading: HB 3627, Relating to allowing the chair of the State Board of Education to employ personnel to assist in performing the board's duties. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 24, Nays 7.

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

Yea: 24 (published)
Nay: 7 (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 May 8, 2025

Yea: 136
Nay: 10
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 2
Excused: 0

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1776

HB 3627 was passed by (Record 1776): 136 Yeas, 10 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 136 (published)
Nay: 10 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

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

House May 7, 2025

Yea: 112
Nay: 17
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 5
Excused: 14

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 1661

CSHB 3627, as amended, was passed to engrossment by (Record 1661): 112 Yeas, 17 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 112 (published)
Nay: 17 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
Excused: 14 (derived from named list)

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

Witnesses12

For: 5
Against: 4
On: 3

Names

For

DFER TX1 registration
Texas 20362 registrations
Texas Public Charter Schools Association2 registrations

Against

Texas AFT1 registration
Texas State Teachers Association2 registrations
TX AFT1 registration

On

Self; State Board of Education1 registration
Texas Classroom Teachers Association1 registration
Texas Education Agency1 registration

Sources

12 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.

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

Fiscal

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($758,272)

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

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 13, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB3627, As Engrossed: a negative impact of ($1,491,769) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. 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 · ($758,272)

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

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

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 3, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

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

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 1:52 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Companion

SB 1884 by Sparks (identical)

Subjects

State Employees

EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS

EDUCATION, STATE BOARD OF

Text

The text as introduced · 218 words

By: Tepper
H.B. No. 3627

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the employment of persons by the State Board of

Education.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Education Code, is amended by

adding Section 7.114 to read as follows:

Sec. 7.114. PERSONNEL. (a) The chair of the board may

employ personnel as necessary to assist the board in performing its

duties and may prescribe the personnel's duties and compensation as

provided by legislative appropriation.

(b) A person employed under this section is:

(1) considered an employee of the Texas Education

Agency for the purpose of receiving state employment benefits,

including health insurance and retirement benefits;

(2) entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred by

the person in the performance of official duties as provided by

legislative appropriation; and

(3) and directly accountable to the chair.

(c) The chair may make all employment actions regarding the

status of a person employed under this section, including the

hiring, promotion, or termination of the person.

(d) The Texas Education Agency shall provide administrative

support services, including human resources, budgetary,

accounting, purchasing, payroll, information technology, and legal

support services, to the board as necessary to carry out the

purposes of this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: Smells

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Beef PAC

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Beef PAC

Senate May 25, 2025

Senate May 25, 2025

Senate May 23, 2025

Senate May 23, 2025

House May 8, 2025

House May 7, 2025

For

Against

On

Companion