New Texas laws that will take effect on September 1
The bill requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments has faced legal challenges, and its implementation remains temporarily blocked in some districts
Around 750 new laws will come into effect in Texas on September 1, bringing radical changes to daily life, while the state faces criticism for manipulating electoral districts. Governor Greg Abbott signed 1,155 bills in June, reflecting the state’s current priorities in school choice, public safety, infrastructure, and cultural policy. Below are the most relevant ones and some that have generated controversy.
Education reforms
Senate Bill 2 establishes one of the largest school voucher programs in the country, providing parents with more than $10,000 per child per year to cover private school tuition or other education-related expenses. Students with disabilities can receive up to $30,000 in additional funding. Although the law will take effect on September 1, the voucher program will not be implemented until the 2026-2027 school year.
Public schools will also see a significant increase in funding thanks to House Bill 2, which will allocate $8.5 billion to teacher compensation, special education, early childhood learning, and other educational needs. For its part, Senate Bill 1 establishes a biennial budget of $338 billion, with more than 70% going to education and health services, in addition to funding water, broadband, and energy infrastructure.
Other education bills include House Bill 1481, which bans cell phone use in schools, and House Bill 27, which requires all high school students to complete a personal financial education course. Senate Bill 10, which requires public schools to display the Ten Commandments, has faced legal challenges and its implementation remains temporarily blocked in some districts.
Several bills focus on eliminating school policies related to diversity and inclusion. Senate Bill 12 expands the ban on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in elementary and secondary schools and prohibits consideration of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation in hiring. Senate Bill 13 gives parents greater authority over library materials, and Senate Bill 37 increases state oversight of public universities.
Public safety and crime prevention measures
Texas lawmakers have enacted stricter laws to improve public safety and combat violent crime. House Bill 33 requires law enforcement agencies to develop crisis response policies and provide training on active shooters, while Senate Bill 835, known as the “Trey’s Law,” prohibits confidentiality agreements in cases of sexual assault and human trafficking. Other criminal justice laws, such as House Bill 2017 (“Grayson’s Law”) and Senate Bill 745, toughen penalties for intoxication manslaughter.
The new laws also address child safety and human trafficking. House Bill 2000, the Audrii Act, requires individuals convicted of luring minors to register as sex offenders, while House Bill 2306 and Senate Bill 1212 increase penalties for human trafficking, especially when the victims are children or persons with disabilities. Senate Bill 608 requires law enforcement to publicly report on evidence collection in sexual assault cases, seeking to improve transparency and support for victims.
Health and social policy
House Bill 46 expands the medical marijuana program to include patients with chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, and Crohn’s disease. House Bill 136 reimburses breastfeeding consultations under Medicaid, and House Bill 879 streamlines the granting of health licenses for veterans. Senate Bill 855 ensures that children in foster care receive essential health services.
House Bill 229 codifies definitions of “male” and “female” based on biological sex throughout state law, impacting civil registries and government reporting, and affecting people who identify as non-binary, trans, and other genders.
Water, infrastructure, and housing
Water infrastructure is a legislative priority. Senate Bill 7, along with House Resolution 7, would allocate $1 billion annually to the Texas Water Fund, pending voter approval. Other bills, including Senate Bills 1145, 1268, and 1967, improve oversight and funding for projects related to groundwater, flood mitigation, and wastewater treatment.
Housing and urban development measures are also moving forward. Senate Bill 15 promotes affordable housing, while Senate Bill 17 restricts land ownership by residents of certain foreign countries for security reasons.
Cultural and religious policies
The legislature also passed laws regulating cultural and religious practices in schools and public institutions. Senate Bill 11 allows for specific time to be set aside for prayer in schools, and Senate Bill 965 guarantees public school employees the right to pray during working hours. Both bills have been criticized and could face legal challenges, as was the case with the law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments.
Other notable legislation
- House Bill 3135 and Senate Bills 927, 1568, and 2141 introduce special license plates for veterans, firefighters, judges, and animal welfare causes
- Senate Bill 22 increases funding for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program to $300 million, with the goal of growing the state’s film and multimedia industry