Legislative Update June 2025

89th Texas Legislature Wrap-Up

January 14 – June 2, 2025

Key Highlights from the Session

The 89th Texas Legislature passed several impactful bills this year that will shape our state’s future in education, civil rights, property taxes, public safety, and health. Here’s a quick breakdown.

Education

• HB 2 – $8.5B boost to public school funding + teacher pay raises
• SB 2 – School vouchers: $10K (or $30K w/ disability) for private, homeschool, or virtual
• SB 10 – Ten Commandments required in public classrooms
• SB 11 – Prayer & Bible reading periods authorized in schools
• SB 12 – Strengthens parental rights, limits DEI instruction (Governor Pending)

Social Policy & Civil Rights

• HB 229 – Defines sex biologically for official records
• SB 3 – Bans hemp/CBD products with trace THC (Vetoed, Awaiting Special Sesson)

Property & Taxes

• SB 4 – Raises homestead exemption + protects school funding (Sent to Governor; contingent on constitutional amendment vote in November 2025.)

Public Safety

• SB 9 – Tougher bail rules for violent offenders (Governor Pending)
• HB 2073 – Stronger penalties for violating court protection orders

Energy & Environment

• SB 1150 – 15-year limit on inactive oil/gas wells (Governor Pending)
• HB 1500 – Establishes Dispatchable Reliability Reserve Services
• SB 2627 & SJR 93 – Builds on earlier funding to provide low-interest loans for dispatchable plants (Still in implementation)

Health & Safety

• HB 1188 – Schools must inform parents of disability services
• HB 1586 – State to provide vaccine exemption forms (Governor Pending)

These new laws reflect major shifts in school policy, parental rights, tax relief, and public health.