89R5186 ANG-D     By: Raymond H.B. No. 1627       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   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   installments.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.