Here’s why they matter.

We are starting a new series about the Texas Legislature giving our members a consistent education series around all things involving the Texas Legislature, Texas Legislative Process, and much more.

Between legislative sessions, Texas doesn’t hit pause,it gets to work. The Lieutenant Governor of Texas and the Speaker of the Texas House issue interim charges to legislative committees, setting the agenda for what lawmakers study, question, and prepare for the next session.

Think of interim charges as the blueprint for what’s next. They direct committees to:

Over the interim, committees dive deep, holding hearings, gathering data, and taking input from experts and stakeholders across the state.

Then comes the payoff: committees release formal reports outlining key findings, recommendations, and often proposed legislation that will shape the next session.

And this is where your voice matters.

Interim charges open the door for advocacy organizations, professionals, and the public to weigh in through testimony, written comments, or electronic submissions. It’s a critical window to influence policy before bills are even filed.

That’s where LSSSCA steps in.

As the voice for Texas school counselors, LSSSCA is actively reviewing the interim charges identified by our advocacy team at Eric Wright & Associates. We’re pinpointing where to engage, where to lead, and how to ensure school counselors and the students they serve are part of the conversation.

Stay tuned. We’ll be sharing priority areas and opportunities to get involved. Keep an eye on our Advocacy page for updates.

THE BUDGET WRITERS

House Appropriations and Senate Finance – the budget writers for the Legislature.

House Appropriations is led by Chairman Greg Bonnen (R-Galveston) and Vice Chair, Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso).

Chair Rep. Greg Bonnen (R-Galveston)

Vice Chair Rep. Mary Gonzalez (D-El Paso)

Senate Finance is chaired by Chair Joan Huffman (R-Houston) and Vice Chair Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D-McAllen).

Chair Sen. Joan Huffman (R-Houston)

Vice Chair Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D-McAllen)

During a legislative session, these budget writing committees break up into subcommittees/workgroups to take a deeper dive into each area of the state budget. For LSSSCA, Article III, Education is our priority subcommittee and workgroup.

You can find more information on House Appropriations and Senate Finance here:

House Appropriations – https://house.texas.gov/committees/committee/030

Senate Finance - https://senate.texas.gov/cmte.php?c=540

ALL THINGS EDUCATION

House Public Education and Senate Education are the primary committees with oversight over education policy, finance issues, school curriculum, school districts, Texas Education Agency, and State Board of Education.

House Public Education Committee is Chaired by Brad Buckley (R-Bell) and Vice Chair Diego Bernal (D-Bexar).

Chair Rep. Brad Buckley (R-Bell)

Vice Chair Rep. Diego Bernal (D-Bexar)

Senate Education Committee is Chaired by Donna Campbell (R-Bulverde) and Vice Chair Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston).

Chair Sen. Donna Campbell (R-Bulverde)

Vice Chair Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)

You can find more information about House Public Education and Senate Education Committees here:

House Public Education: https://house.texas.gov/committees/committee/400#jurisdiction

Senate Education: https://senate.texas.gov/cmte.php?c=530

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As school counselors, our voices matter—and staying informed is one of the most powerful ways we can advocate for our profession and the students we serve. Through Elevate & Advocate, LSSSCA is committed to helping members better understand the legislative decisions shaping education across Texas while creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and advocacy. Together, we can stay informed, stay involved, and continue elevating the impact of school counseling across our state.

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