The Legislative Ranger
HB 172-174
11/24/2026
By: Stephen O’Toole
The latest set of legislative proposals, HB172, HB173, and HB174, authored by James Talarico [D-Austin], Giovanni Capriglione [R-Keller], and Mary González [D-San Elizario], tackle pressing yet varied issues. From encouraging fine arts education in public schools to guarding Texas universities against foreign influence, and improving childcare for children with disabilities, these bills reflect a wide spectrum of priorities. Let’s break down each proposal and explore its potential impact on Texas communities.
HB172 is a straightforward but impactful piece of legislation designed to encourage public schools to bolster fine arts programs. Under this bill, schools would receive additional funding for every student enrolled in fine arts classes such as music, art, theater, and dance. Specifically, schools would be allocated eight-tenths of a percent of the basic allotment per eligible student, translating to $49.28 per student for the 2024-2025 school year. This additional funding mirrors other targeted initiatives like the recently approved Bluebonnet program, which allocated $60 per student to include bibles in the curriculum. Given the rising costs of materials and the role fine arts play in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and cultural enrichment, this proposal seems to address an important need. While any budget increase deserves careful review, especially in the context of broader education funding, HB172 provides a modest yet meaningful step toward supporting programs that contribute to well-rounded education. I rate this bill as low danger and a moderate priority to pass due to its potential to positively impact students and communities.
HB173 focuses on safeguarding public universities from undue foreign influence by prohibiting donations, grants, or gifts from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. While the bill's intent appears to address valid concerns about the influence of adversarial nations, it takes a broader step by extending this prohibition to include any nation that has provided material support to foreign terrorist organizations. On the surface, this clause seems prudent, but it introduces ambiguity and could lead to overly broad interpretations. For example, what qualifies as “material support” and how recent or significant must such support be? Many nations, including allies, have inadvertently or indirectly provided material support to entities later designated as terrorist organizations. Without further clarification, this provision risks being a catch-all that could potentially complicate international collaborations or philanthropic efforts unrelated to security concerns. While the bill’s intentions are understandable, the lack of specificity leaves room for unintended consequences. I rate HB173 as low danger but recommend amendments to refine its language and scope to ensure it serves its intended purpose without overreach.
HB174 addresses a critical gap in childcare services for children with disabilities, aiming to improve accessibility, integration, and transparency in childcare facilities. The bill proposes several thoughtful measures. First, it extends existing anti-discrimination protections by explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on the type of disability a child has. At the same time, it acknowledges practical limitations by allowing facilities to decline enrollment if a child’s needs would require unreasonable accommodations or exceed the facility’s capabilities. This strikes a balance between promoting inclusion and recognizing operational constraints.
Moreover, the bill ensures that children with disabilities are integrated into the general activities of the facility, preventing unnecessary segregation solely based on their disabilities. This provision promotes social inclusion and equitable experiences for all children. Additionally, HB174 requires childcare providers to distribute specific information from the education commission and outline their policies on caring for children with disabilities, enhancing transparency for parents and guardians. These measures collectively aim to create a more inclusive and supportive childcare environment without imposing undue burdens on providers. Given its thoughtful approach, I rate this bill as low danger and moderate priority to pass.
In summary, this trio of bills showcases varying levels of impact and complexity. HB172 supports fine arts education with targeted funding, providing a straightforward benefit to students and schools. HB173 aims to protect public universities from foreign influence but requires refinement to avoid overreach. HB174 takes a comprehensive approach to improving care for children with disabilities, balancing inclusion with practical considerations. While each bill addresses different aspects of public policy, all warrant careful consideration to ensure they achieve their intended goals effectively. These proposals remind us that legislative details matter greatly in shaping outcomes for Texas communities.
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