H.B. No. 612 proposes the establishment of an education savings account program in Texas, designed to empower parents with more educational options for their children. The bill introduces a new section in the Civil Practice and Remedies Code that holds individuals or entities attempting to block educational choice laws liable for the prevailing party's attorney's fees. Additionally, it adds a subchapter to the Education Code that outlines the program's definitions, eligibility criteria, application processes, and the responsibilities of certified educational assistance organizations. The comptroller will oversee the program, ensuring funds are used for approved educational expenses, and a parental review committee will be established to approve educational service providers.

The bill also includes provisions for managing children's accounts, allowing extensions under certain conditions, and specifies approved education-related expenses. It mandates random audits of accounts and organizations to ensure compliance and emphasizes the autonomy of education service providers. Furthermore, it introduces a credit against state premium tax liabilities for contributions to the education savings account program, detailing the application process and capping credits for the 2026 fiscal year. The provisions will take effect on January 1, 2026, applying to contributions made thereafter.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.109 (Government Code 411)