TEXAS — The Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 26, a bill to increase teacher salaries statewide, on Wednesday. The bill was passed unanimously.

SB 26 would give yearly raises to teachers with three or more years of experience and extra raises to those with five or more years.

This legislation also will broaden a state program providing instructor raises linked to student success and free pre-K for educators’ children.

The bill is headed to the Texas House for consideration.

Strong bipartisan support for the bill emerged during Wednesday’s floor debate.

The Texas House’s approval of this bill — one of Gov. Greg Abbott’s seven emergency items for the 89th Legislature's session — would result in an unprecedented increase in teacher pay.

“SB 26 will provide experienced teachers in urban and suburban districts raises between $2,500 and $5,500. It aims to close the pay gap between urban and suburban teachers and rural teachers, providing raises up to $10,000 for rural teachers,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a statement following the passage of the bill. “Additionally, SB 26 expands the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) to enable more public schools and teachers to participate, providing a genuine pathway for teachers to earn six-figure salaries. I thank Sen. Creighton for his tireless work on SB 26 and the entire Senate for sharing my continued commitment to supporting our teachers, who give so much for Texas’ future.”