DENISON, Texas (KTEN) — A new Texas House bill could bring in more one billion dollars to schools for safety funding.

"It's a blessing to be able to increase our security and upgrade our systems because technology is expensive," said Denison Independent School District Police Chief Paul Neumann.

On Friday, the House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment unanimously approved House Bill 2, which would establish and fund two school safety taxpayer-funded programs to go toward personnel and infrastructure improvements.

"With the mandates put forth by the state earlier this year, it's important that they help these districts who don't have the funding to fulfill upgrades and have had to get waivers to go forward," Neumann said.  "It will really help out in the budgeting process and help out our department as we go forward as far as training our people to be the best they can be."

Funds allocated by the bill could also be used to pay for for fencing, door and window security improvements, and for security personnel.

S&S Consolidated ISD Superintendent Jeff Russell said he would be grateful for the funding, but noted that smaller school districts like his benefit differently.

"We're not a growing fast or fast-growing district, so for us we're not building new buildings or new schools right now," he said. "The funding for us would just be to make sure we're maintaining the safety aspect of our campuses," 

The legislation now moves to the House Calendars Committee, which is responsible for sending bills to the floor for consideration by the full chamber. It would still have to be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor before it could be enacted.