SB 2185: bilingual funding for alternative methods, capped at $10M

Caption

relating to the bilingual education allotment under the public school finance system.

Summary

Approved alternative programs get per-student money. $10M cap per cycle.

The bill lets Texas schools that got state approval to use an alternative bilingual teaching method, instead of the standard program, receive extra per-student bilingual funding, capped at $10 million total each two-year budget cycle. It touches those school districts, their emergent bilingual students and other students in dual language immersion programs, and the Texas Education Agency, which picks which districts get the money and can demand extra reporting on their methods. Approved districts get 15 percent of the basic allotment per emergent bilingual student and 5 percent per other student in dual language programs, and all districts may now spend bilingual funds on full teacher salaries rather than only salary supplements.

Labels

Labels: CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Adam Hinojosa (R) in the Senate. Lead sponsor Harold V. Dutton Jr. (D) in the House. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB2185 · 2025-03-10

SOLD BY

Sen. Adam HinojosaRSenate 27

+ 5 coauthors

ITEM

relating to the bilingual education allotment under the public school finance system.

WHAT IT DOES

Approved alternative programs get per-student money. $10M cap per cycle.

The bill lets Texas schools that got state approval to use an alternative bilingual teaching method, instead of the standard program, receive extra per-student bilingual funding, capped at $10 million total each two-year budget cycle. It touches those school districts, their emergent bilingual students and other students in dual language immersion programs, and the Texas Education Agency, which picks which districts get the money and can demand extra reporting on their methods. Approved districts get 15 percent of the basic allotment per emergent bilingual student and 5 percent per other student in dual language programs, and all districts may now spend bilingual funds on full teacher salaries rather than only salary supplements.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 7, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Mar 10, 2025Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Mar 10, 2025Filed
Mar 24, 2025Read first time
Mar 24, 2025Referred to Education K-16
Apr 8, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 8, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 8, 2025Testimony taken in committee
Apr 8, 2025Left pending in committee
Apr 10, 2025Co-author authorized
Apr 10, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 10, 2025Vote taken in committee
Apr 14, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendments
Apr 14, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
Apr 15, 2025Placed on intent calendar
Apr 22, 2025Co-author authorized
Apr 22, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
Apr 22, 2025Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
Apr 22, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
Apr 22, 2025Three day rule suspended
Apr 22, 2025Record vote
Apr 22, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 22, 2025Passed
Apr 22, 2025Record vote
Apr 22, 2025Reported engrossed
Apr 23, 2025Received from the Senate
Apr 24, 2025Read first time
Apr 24, 2025Referred to Public Education
May 1, 2025Considered in formal meeting
May 1, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
May 8, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
May 8, 2025Committee report distributed
May 8, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
May 15, 2025Laid out in lieu of companion HB 3460
May 15, 2025Read 2nd time
May 15, 2025Passed to 3rd reading
May 15, 2025Record vote RV#2757
May 15, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 16, 2025Read 3rd time
May 16, 2025Postponed 5/19/25 10:00 AM
May 19, 2025Laid out as postponed business
May 19, 2025Postponed 5/20/25 11:00 AM
May 20, 2025Laid out as postponed business
May 20, 2025Amendment fails of adoption 1-M. González
May 20, 2025Record vote RV#3052
May 20, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 20, 2025Amendment fails of adoption 2-Guerra
May 20, 2025Record vote RV#3053
May 20, 2025Postponed 5/20/25 12:30 PM
May 20, 2025Laid out as postponed business
May 20, 2025Postponed 5/20/25 2:00 PM
May 20, 2025Laid out as postponed business
May 20, 2025Passed
May 20, 2025Record vote RV#3081
May 20, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 21, 2025House passage reported
May 21, 2025Reported enrolled
May 22, 2025Signed in the Senate
May 22, 2025Signed in the House
May 22, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Signed by the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 76 yea · 57 nay

Senate · 31 yea · 0 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 20, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · Apr 22, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Adam Hinojosa

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$100KMayes Middleton$34,597Greg Abbott Campaign$33K

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 May 5, 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$100,000.00

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$100,000.00

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

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 · on Oct 28, 2024. 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: 100989239.

Mayes Middleton$34,596.72

Greg Abbott Campaign$33,489.82

Greg Abbott Campaign

$33,489.82

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $33,489.82
Total: $33,489.82

travel $16,942.43text $12,002.83event $4,544.56

Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 29, 2024 to Sep 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 29, 2024 to Nov 12, 2024. 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: 100989239.

Money

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

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$100,000.00

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

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 · on Oct 28, 2024. 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: 100989239.

×

Greg Abbott Campaign

$33,489.82

Cash: $0.00
Paid by others: $33,489.82
Total: $33,489.82

travel $16,942.43text $12,002.83event $4,544.56

Also funds 9 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Oct 29, 2024 to Sep 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

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

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 29, 2024 to Nov 12, 2024. 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: 100989239.

Votes7

House May 20, 2025

Yea: 76
Nay: 57
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 11
Excused: 4

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3081

SB 2185 was passed by (Record 3081): 76 Yeas, 57 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 76 (published)
Nay: 57 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 11 (derived from named list)
Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

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

House May 20, 2025

Yea: 80
Nay: 66
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 1
Excused: 1

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3053

Amendment No. 2 failed of adoption (not receiving the necessary two-thirds vote) by (Record 3053): 80 Yeas, 66 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 80 (published)
Nay: 66 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 1 (derived from named list)
Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

House May 20, 2025

Yea: 78
Nay: 65
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 4
Excused: 1

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 3052

Amendment No. 1 failed of adoption (not receiving the necessary two-thirds vote) by (Record 3052): 78 Yeas, 65 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 78 (published)
Nay: 65 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
Excused: 1 (derived from named list)

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

House May 15, 2025

Yea: 72
Nay: 66
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 5
Excused: 5

Names

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

House journal

Sources

Record 2757

SB 2185 was passed to third reading by (Record 2757): 72 Yeas, 66 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

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

Yea: 72 (published)
Nay: 66 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
Excused: 5 (derived from named list)

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

Senate Apr 22, 2025

Yea: 31
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator A. Hinojosa moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2185 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

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

Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Apr 22, 2025

Yea: 31
Nay: 0
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Sources

Senator A. Hinojosa moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that SB 2185 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

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

Yea: 31 (published)
Nay: 0 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

Senate Apr 22, 2025

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

Names

Senate journal

Names were not printed. No individual positions are inferred.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

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

Yea: Not printed
Nay: Not printed
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: Not printed
Excused: Not printed

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

Witnesses15

For: 12
Against: 0
On: 3

Names

For

Girls Empowerment Network1 registration
Self; International Leadership of Texas1 registration
Self; International Leadership of Texas Public Charter Schools2 registrations
TASB1 registration
Texas Association Community Schools1 registration
Texas Association for Bilingual Education1 registration
Texas Association of School Administrators1 registration
Texas Association of School Boards1 registration
Texas Classroom Teachers Association1 registration
Texas PTA1 registration
Texas Public Charter Schools Association1 registration

On

IDRA (Intercultral Development Research Association)1 registration
Texas Education Agency2 registrations

Sources

15 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

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

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

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 7, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Mar 10, 2025

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

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

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors

Carol AlvaradoDSenate 6

César BlancoDSenate 29

Molly CookDSenate 15

Mayes MiddletonRSenate 11

Royce WestDSenate 23

Companion

HB 3460 by Dutton (identical)

Subjects

Education--Bilingual

Education--Primary & Secondary--Finance

EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS

Text

The text as introduced · 437 words

89R14803 ANG-F

By: Hinojosa of Nueces
S.B. No. 2185

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the bilingual education allotment under the public

school finance system.

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

SECTION 1. Section 29.054, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e) Notwithstanding Section 29.066(c), the agency may

require, for purposes of implementing Section 48.105, a school

district that is granted an exception under this section to:

(1) include in the district's Public Education

Information Management System (PEIMS) report additional

information specified by the agency and relating to the alternative

language education methods used by the district; and

(2) classify the alternative language education

methods used by the district under the Public Education Information

Management System (PEIMS) report as specified by the agency.

SECTION 2. Section 48.105, Education Code, is amended by

adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) and amending Subsection (b) to

read as follows:

(a-1) The agency shall review school districts that offer

alternative language education methods approved by the agency under

Section 29.054(d) and approve districts to receive the allotment

under Subsection (a-2) for that biennium in a manner that provides

not more than $10 million total under the allotment to school

districts in each biennium. In approving school districts to

receive the allotment under this subsection, the agency shall, to

the extent possible, approve eligible school districts from a

cross-section of this state.

(a-2) For each student in average daily attendance in an

alternative language education method approved by the agency under

Section 29.054(d), and offered by a school district approved to

receive the allotment under Subsection (a-1), the district is

entitled to an annual allotment equal to the basic allotment

multiplied by:

(1) 0.15 for an emergent bilingual student, as defined

by Section 29.052, if the student is in an alternative language

education method using a dual language immersion/one-way or two-way

program model; and

(2) 0.05 for a student not described by Subdivision

(1), if the student is in an alternative language education method

using a dual language immersion/one-way or two-way program model.

(b) At least 55 percent of the funds allocated under this

section must be used in providing bilingual education or special

language programs under Subchapter B, Chapter 29. A district's

bilingual education or special language allocation may be used only

for program and student evaluation, instructional materials and

equipment, staff development, supplemental staff expenses, teacher

salaries [ salary supplements for teachers ], incremental costs

associated with providing smaller class sizes, and other supplies

required for quality instruction.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: No flags

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Greg Abbott Campaign

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

Greg Abbott Campaign

House May 20, 2025

House May 20, 2025

House May 20, 2025

House May 15, 2025

Senate Apr 22, 2025

Senate Apr 22, 2025

Senate Apr 22, 2025

For

On

Companion