HB 1627

relating to a bonus payment for classroom teachers employed by a
public school; making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  (a) In this section, "classroom teacher" means
an educator who, not less than an average of four hours each day,
teaches in an academic instructional setting or a career and
technology instructional setting. The term does not include a
teacher's aide or a full-time administrator.
(b)  Each classroom teacher employed by a school district or
open-enrollment charter school on September 1, 2025, is entitled to
a bonus payment in addition to the teacher's compensation for the
2025-2026 school year in an amount equal to $12,000.
(c)  An amount necessary to provide the bonus payment to each
eligible classroom teacher under Subsection (b) of this section is
appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Texas Education
Agency for the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 2025, for
distribution to school districts and open-enrollment charter
schools on the basis of the number of classroom teachers employed by
each district or school on September 1, 2025. The agency shall
distribute the money appropriated under this section as soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Act.
(d)  A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
use money distributed under Subsection (c) of this section only to
provide a bonus payment to each classroom teacher employed by the
district or school for the 2025-2026 school year in accordance with
Subsection (b) of this section.  The district or school shall
provide the bonus payment to each teacher in 12 equal monthly
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.