Several new laws passed during the 89th Regular Legislative Session took effect in Texas on September 1, as highlighted by Governor Greg Abbott. The measures cover a range of policy areas including education, public safety, cyber security, water infrastructure, and veteran support.
“This session will be remembered as one of the most consequential in Texas history,” said Governor Abbott. “We made bold promises to the people of Texas—to secure the border and keep Texans safe, to defend freedom, life and property rights, and to ensure every child has access to a great education. And we delivered. Today, Texans will realize the results of many of these promises. The laws we passed reflect our values: safer communities, stronger schools, and a future built on freedom, faith, and hard work.”
Among the education-related legislation now in effect is Senate Bill 2. This law establishes an Education Savings Account program that allows eligible students to use state funding for approved educational services such as private school tuition or instructional materials. The program is backed by $1 billion for its first year.
House Bill 2 increases funding for public education by $8.5 billion and provides $4 billion for teacher and staff pay raises.
House Bill 120 expands career training opportunities in high schools and technical colleges with programs aligned to workforce needs in trades like welding and plumbing.
Senate Bill 10 requires all public elementary and secondary school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments starting with the 2025–2026 school year.
Senate Bill 12 introduces what is described as a Parents’ Bill of Rights. It bans certain diversity hiring practices (DEI), requires parental opt-in for sex education classes, prohibits gender ideology instruction in K-12 schools, enforces biological sex participation rules in sports competitions (“No boys in girls’ sports”), protects parents’ rights regarding their child’s upbringing and medical decisions, and shifts curriculum focus toward core subjects.
Senate Bill 13 gives parents more oversight over school library materials through parent-led advisory councils.
Other laws address issues beyond education:
– Senate Bill 33 bars government entities from supporting abortion providers or related organizations.
– Senate Bill 9 allows prosecutors to appeal bail decisions involving serious crimes or repeat offenders; only elected judges can change bail set by another elected judge.
– House Bill 150 establishes the Texas Cyber Command agency based in San Antonio to handle cyber threats.
– House Bill 128 restricts sister-city agreements with foreign adversaries but encourages partnerships with U.S. allies.
– Senate Bill 17 blocks certain foreign entities from acquiring real estate in Texas.
– Senate Bills 1333 and 1349 address property squatting issues and create new criminal offenses related to transnational repression.
– Senate Bill 7 tasks the Texas Water Development Board with coordinating water supply projects; further funding awaits voter approval through House Joint Resolution 7 this November.
– House Bill 2306 eliminates parole eligibility for those convicted of trafficking children or disabled individuals; Senate Bill 1212 increases penalties for human trafficking offenses.
– Several bills expand support for veterans: creating databases for service members transitioning out of active duty (SB1814), fast-tracking professional licenses (SB1818), and consolidating veteran program administration (HB114).
– House Bill 5115 strengthens election fraud penalties by making counting invalid votes or refusing valid votes a second-degree felony offense.
“These reforms represent not just legislative victories, but long-term wins for Texas families, students, small business owners, and communities across the state,” Governor Abbott said.
