H.B. No. 1257 seeks to improve the compensation framework for public school educators in Texas by establishing a new minimum salary schedule based on years of experience and certification status. The bill sets minimum salaries starting at $40,000 for educators with less than five years of experience, increasing to $68,000 for those with at least ten years. It also requires school districts to allocate at least 50% of the difference in salary costs between the old and new structures to enhance average total compensation for educators. Additionally, the bill introduces a salary transition allotment to support districts during the implementation of the new salary schedule over the 2025-2027 school years and repeals certain provisions related to the previous minimum salary schedule.

Moreover, the bill amends various sections of the Education Code to replace "daily attendance" with "enrollment" in funding calculations, aiming for a more accurate representation of student participation. It introduces criteria for calculating average enrollment, particularly for districts facing enrollment declines due to military base closures or disasters, and modifies the funding formula to ensure a portion of increased funding is allocated for employee compensation. The legislation also addresses school safety, mental health services, and transportation funding, raising the maximum allotment for school safety and establishing mental health funding based on student access to services. Overall, H.B. No. 1257 aims to enhance financial support for educators and school districts while ensuring equitable funding based on actual student enrollment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 21.402, Education Code 21.403, Education Code 21.4552, Education Code 21.4553, Education Code 21.4555, Education Code 30.102, Education Code 33.009, Education Code 48.051, Education Code 48.102, Education Code 48.108, Education Code 48.115, Education Code 48.151, Education Code 28.02124, Education Code 29.152, Education Code 29.1531, Education Code 29.153, Education Code 7.062, Education Code 11.052, Education Code 12.106, Education Code 12.263, Education Code 13.051, Education Code 13.102, Education Code 13.283, Education Code 25.038, Education Code 25.045, Education Code 25.081, Education Code 25.087, Education Code 25.111, Education Code 25.112, Education Code 29.008, Education Code 29.014, Education Code 29.081, Education Code 29.0822, Education Code 29.184, Education Code 29.203, Education Code 29.403, Education Code 48.005, Education Code 29.912, Education Code 30.003, Education Code 33.157, Education Code 37.0061, Education Code 37.008, Education Code 39.027, Education Code 39.262, Education Code 43.001, Education Code 44.004, Education Code 45.0011, Education Code 45.006, Education Code 45.105, Education Code 45.003, Education Code 46.005, Education Code 46.006, Education Code 46.032, Education Code 48.0051, Education Code 48.006, Education Code 48.010, Education Code 48.052, Education Code 48.101, Education Code 48.105, Education Code 48.106, Education Code 48.107, Education Code 48.109, Education Code 48.118, Education Code 48.152, Education Code 48.153, Education Code 48.202, Education Code 48.256, Education Code 48.2642, Education Code 48.273, Education Code 48.277, Education Code 49.001, Education Code 49.002, Education Code 49.003, Education Code 49.158, Education Code 49.201, Education Code 49.203, Education Code 49.205, Education Code 49.258, Education Code 49.305, Education Code 49.306, Education Code 49.311, Education Code 49.354, Government Code 403.104, Government Code 1371.001, Government Code 1431.001, Local Government Code 48.005 (Education Code 28, Education Code 39, Education Code 12, Education Code 43, Government Code 1371, Education Code 30, Education Code 21, Education Code 45, Education Code 7, Education Code 29, Education Code 25, Education Code 13, Education Code 48, Education Code 44, Education Code 49, Local Government Code 48, Government Code 1431, Government Code 403, Education Code 46, Education Code 37, Education Code 11, Education Code 33)