Senator Blanco presented Senate Bill 1581 to the Senate education committee, explaining the bill would allow small rural independent school districts (those with fewer than 1,600 students) to hire former trustees without waiting one year after leaving office.

Sponsor rationale: Senator Blanco said rural districts face recruitment challenges and often need flexibility because trustees in small communities are frequently invested in local schools and possess needed skills. He described examples where trustees or other community members serve multiple roles in tight‑knit districts.

Supporting testimony: Randy Willis, executive director of the Texas Association of Rural Schools, described small districts’ recruitment limits and gave Valentine ISD (Region 18) as an example of a district with roughly 60–65 students where filling certified positions is difficult. Willis told the committee the waiver would be a ‘‘lifeline’’ for rural districts seeking qualified staff.

Disposition: The committee heard invited testimony, closed public testimony and left SB 1581 pending subject to call of the chair.

Provenance: Sponsor remarks and invited testimony from the Texas Association of Rural Schools are recorded in the transcript.