TX HB1657

Establishes an education savings account (ESA) program administered by the Texas Comptroller, effective for the 2026-2027 school year, for children who attended public school the previous year or are entering kindergarten/first grade and meet at least one qualifying criterion: failed a state assessment, have a disability, or are educationally disadvantaged

Provides annual ESA payments equal to 90% of the state funding the child's resident school district would have received under Chapter 48, with quarterly disbursements on August 15, November 15, February 15, and May 15; the resident school district receives the remaining 10%

Allows ESA funds to be used for tuition at accredited private schools, textbooks and instructional materials, academic assessments, educational field trips and activities, transportation to educational providers, and educational therapies not covered by government programs or private insurance

Prohibits using federal funds or the available school fund to finance the program, bars payments to household members, and allows the Comptroller to deduct up to 3% from quarterly payments for administrative costs

Protects autonomy of private schools and participants by prohibiting the state from imposing regulations beyond program requirements, requiring modifications to religious or institutional values, or treating providers as state agents or recipients of federal financial assistance