Relating to the employment of classroom teachers in public schools and the waiver or payment of certain educator examination and certification fees.

HB 5175 allows Texas school districts to temporarily hire uncertified teachers for non-core subjects (excluding reading/language arts or math) in grades 6 and above during the 2026-2027 school year. Districts receive a one-time $1,000 payment per qualifying teacher who was hired as a first-year teacher in 2022-2023, was uncertified as of January 2025, earned certification by the end of 2025-2026, and remained continuously employed. The bill also requires the state to collect data on teacher recruitment and retention. This provision expires September 1, 2027.