HB 695 advances to Senate

Jacqueline Peraza | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

House Bill 695, relating to the establishment of a law school in the Rio Grande Valley, will move forward to the Texas Senate after the House of Representatives passed it with a vote of 97-47 last Thursday in Austin. 

The bill was proposed in the 87th Legislature by state Rep. Armando Martinez (D-Weslaco).

Martinez said he was excited to hear that the House had approved the bill.

“I was extremely elated with the passage of the bill,” Martinez said. “I think it’s something we’ve wanted for a long time [in the] Valley, we’ve needed. … We’re closer to making this dream a reality.”

Asked if he believes the bill will be passed this session, after stalling at the Senate during the 86th Legislative Session, Martinez replied he hopes it does.

“I am very confident that it is,” he said. “I think we got it over to the Senate with enough time. I believe that it is something that allows any public university to have the ability to create a law school. So, therefore, I think it will pass the Senate and get to the governor’s desk.”

Martinez said, as of now, no university system has expressed interest in the law school. 

“I believe everybody is just waiting to see what happens once it does get approved,” he said. “But this has been a topic of discussion amongst a lot of the public and the people of the Valley supporting this. We are hopeful that once it passes, then the public universities will make this consideration.”

If the Senate approves HB 695 and there are no changes to the bill, the final step is to receive a signature of approval from Gov. Greg Abbott.  

“This has been a long time coming,” Martinez said. “A law school in the Valley provides an additional opportunity for all our students and Valley residents who may want to seek an additional profession. My definition of success has always been opportunity, but the only way you can gain an opportunity is through education.”