Senator Paul Bettencourt of Houston has introduced a set of bills known as the "Sensible 4" for Public Education ahead of the upcoming 89th Legislative Session, starting January 14, 2025. These legislative proposals focus on improving special education, authorizing virtual and hybrid education programs, addressing truancy issues, and enhancing student safety in educational settings.

Bettencourt highlighted that these initiatives have gained bipartisan support with at least six joint authors each. The package includes three refiled bills that passed the Senate but not the House during the previous session. Notably, the special education bill is expected to have a significant fiscal impact when officially assessed in the new session.

"We are going to streamline SPED, restart civil truancy procedures, improve virtual education, and improve campus safety with my 'Sensible 4' bills for public education," Bettencourt stated. He expressed pride in receiving substantial bipartisan backing from fellow senators including Brandon Creighton.

Brandon Creighton, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, expressed his readiness to collaborate with Bettencourt: "The Texas Senate stands ready to lead on education reforms next session—and I look forward to working with Senator Bettencourt to advance his legislation and get it to Governor Abbott’s desk in 2025."

Bettencourt also acknowledged support from other Texas Senators such as Menendez, Paxton, Parker, Flores, Middleton, West, and Zaffirini. "I’m hopeful these bills will give every student the best education in Texas that we can provide!" he concluded.

In addition to these measures, Senator Bettencourt plans to introduce further legislation before the legislative session begins.