This report highlights key legislation that passed during the 89th Session and will soon become law. For each bill, we’ve included links to our in-depth analysis — typically based on the version considered on 2nd reading. 

Jump to a specific topic below:
Healthcare
Public Education
Property Taxes
Higher Education
Criminal Justice
National Security
The Push for More Housing Supply
Dedicated Water Funding
Energy
Elections
Attacks on the LGBTQIA+ Community
THC for Medicinal and Recreational Use
Technology and AI
Lottery Functions and Funding

Healthcare 

SB 31: A Lifesaving Measure for the Crisis Created by Lawmakers’ Abortion Ban

Under current law, abortion is banned in nearly all cases in Texas, with limited exceptions when a pregnant person’s life is at risk or continuing the pregnancy would cause substantial impairment to a major bodily function. However, these terms are undefined in statute, creating uncertainty and fear among physicians. The risk of misjudging a case, potentially leading to criminal penalties of up to 99 years in prison, steep fines, and the loss of a medical license, has led to preventable deaths, delayed care, and substandard treatment. 

SB 31 (Hughes) clarifies the law by allowing physicians to provide abortion care when, using reasonable medical judgment, they determine continuing the pregnancy poses a greater risk of death or serious harm. The bill broadens the definition of “life-threatening condition” and shifts the burden of proof in criminal cases from the physician to the state. It also protects those assisting patients under these exceptions from criminal liability. SB 31 is effective immediately. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

While SB 31 is a meaningful step forward, it should not be mistaken for a broad expansion of abortion access. It does not address care for pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, or fatal fetal abnormalities. With Texas continuing to face a maternal health crisis, as highlighted by the 80% of pregnancy-related deaths that were deemed preventable in the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee’s 2024 report, further legislative action is needed to ensure that pregnant Texans receive timely, evidence-based medical care without political interference. 

Supporting Research on Dementia

The Texas Legislature passed SB 5 and SJR 3 (Huffman) to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) to accelerate research into Dementia and related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease which affect nearly 7 million older Americans today, with cases expected to double by 2060. The establishment of DPRIT and its Fund will be on the ballot in November 2025. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 5 here and SJR 3 here. 

Vaccine Exemptions Made Easier Despite Public Health Risks

Amid rising exemption rates and renewed outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, the Texas House and Senate have passed HB 1586 (Hull), a bill that rolls back core immunization protections in schools. Since 2013, vaccine exemption rates in Texas have increased by over 300%, and more than half of Texas counties now fall below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. These declining rates have contributed to school closures and a deadly measles outbreak. School vaccination policies are a cornerstone of public health, and weakening them amid growing vulnerability puts children and entire communities at risk.

HB 1586 makes it significantly easier to obtain vaccine exemptions by requiring the Department of State Health Services to post exemption affidavit forms online and eliminating security measures such as seals, tracking, and annual reporting. Read LSG’s full analysis on HB 1586 here. By stripping away these safeguards, HB 1586 undermines the state’s ability to monitor exemption trends and respond effectively to outbreaks. HB 1586 goes into effect September 1, 2025. 

Refusing to Expand Medicaid 

Funding for Medicaid kept pace with caseload growth, without any significant expansion despite the need. Texas continues to rank number one for the highest number and highest percentage of uninsured residents – more than twice the national rate. The most recent Census Bureau report estimated that 5 million Texans lack health insurance coverage. During the debate on the Appropriations bill, a Medicaid expansion proposal by Rep. Bucy failed on a vote of 63-85, closely mirroring votes on similar amendments in past legislative sessions. 

Public Education

Texas public schools once again found themselves at the center of political struggle. Despite a multibillion-dollar surplus and mounting challenges — teacher shortages, student learning loss, and rising special education needs — the Legislature failed to deliver a unified response. Modest increases to funding and efforts to improve early literacy and special education were overshadowed by the passage of a statewide private school voucher program and a series of ideological mandates. Support for public schools came with new restrictions, leaving educators and students with more mandates, deeper uncertainty, and a system still stretched too thin.

Vouchers Become Law

This session marked a historic and ominous shift in Texas education policy: the passage of SB 2 (Creighton), a voucher-style Education Savings Account (ESA) program. After years of failed attempts, statewide officials succeeded in passing a bill that diverts public dollars to private schools and education vendors, with limited oversight and no proven academic benefits.

Under SB 2, most eligible families will receive approximately $10,300 per year to spend on private school tuition or other education-related expenses. The bill prioritizes students with disabilities and low-income families in its initial rollout but eliminates most income-based prioritization after 2027. The program is projected to cost $1 billion in its first biennium, with estimates rising to $8 billion by 2030. Though promoted as expanding “parental choice,” the bill risks draining public school resources, especially in rural areas with few or no private school options, and diverts taxpayer funds to unaccountable private uses. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

The program’s passage represents a major ideological win for voucher proponents and a profound setback for advocates of robust public education. SB 2 creates a parallel, publicly funded system without ensuring equity or quality. 

A Mixed Step Forward for Public School Finance

HB 2 (Buckley) represented the Legislature’s main effort to address funding shortfalls, teacher pay, and special education. The bill raised the Basic Allotment (BA) by $55, along with other funding pools, which ran directly contrary to the wishes of public education advocates who argued that the BA is the most effective way to increase school funding. It also guaranteed across-the-board teacher pay raises, directing $4.2 billion to school districts for a new teacher retention allotment: teachers in districts with 5,000 or fewer students will receive $4,000 (3–4 years’ experience) or $8,000 (5+ years), while those in larger districts will receive $2,500 or $5,000, respectively. An additional $500 million was set aside for pay raises for non-administrative staff, including new teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses, aides, custodians, bus drivers, and food service workers, funded through a $45 per-student formula. The bill also provided $1.3 billion in fixed-cost funding to help districts with rising employee benefit costs and other operational needs.

In a major reform, HB 2 overhauled special education funding by replacing the outdated placement-based model with an intensity-based model that better aligns funding with student needs. However, the rapid implementation for this change raised concerns that districts would lack time and resources to adapt effectively. The bill also cracked down on uncertified teachers, mandating certification requirements for teachers in Districts of Innovation and offering incentives to help uncertified teachers get licensed. 

Despite these advances, HB 2 fell short in scope and funding. Many of its initiatives are grant-based, requiring additional administrative capacity, and the basic allotment remains underfunded relative to inflation and rising costs. The bill represented progress, but it fell short of the scale of the moment. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

School Discipline Reforms Raise Equity Concerns

HB 6 (Leach) expands disciplinary discretion while scaling back critical safeguards, particularly for young students and those with disabilities. The bill lifts the three-day cap on in-school suspension, broadens suspension eligibility for students under third grade, and allows DAEP placement for off-campus behavior. It also authorizes virtual DAEPs, which critics fear could become an educational dead end for high-need students.

Of greatest concern, HB 6 eliminates mandatory ARD reviews before disciplining special education students for bullying or harassment and permits districts to bypass ARD committees by seeking civil injunctions for removal. These changes may violate federal disability protections and increase exclusionary discipline for vulnerable students. While the repeal of mandatory DAEP for vaping is a welcome correction to HB 114 (88R), HB 6 overall tilts toward exclusion over support — ignoring calls for more behavioral staff, mental health services, and smaller class sizes. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

Other Key Legislation 

• HB 1481 (Fairly), Cell Phone Ban — This bill mandates that public schools adopt policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices during the school day, while allowing districts discretion in how to implement the ban. It is intended to reduce distractions, improve academic outcomes, and support student mental health. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 
• SB 10 (Noble/Buckley), Ten Commandments — This bill requires every public school classroom to display a 16×20-inch poster of the Ten Commandments using state-prescribed text. It raises constitutional concerns and threatens religious neutrality in classrooms. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

Property Taxes

This session, the Legislature avoided a prolonged fight over how to distribute property tax relief. If voters approve the corresponding constitutional amendments in November, SB 4/SJR 2 and SB 23/SJR 85 by Sen. Bettencourt would increase the standard homestead exemption for all homeowners from $100,000 to $140,000 and provide a larger exemption for those who are 65 or older or disabled. Additionally, HB 9/HJR 1 by Rep. Meyer would raise the Business Personal Property (BPP) tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000 for all taxing units and standardizes it as a flat exemption so all businesses can benefit equally.

While homestead exemption increases have long been the solution championed by progressive lawmakers, HB 9’s higher exemption for businesses may result in higher costs for residential taxpayers. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 4/SJR 2 and SB 23/SJR 85 here, and HB 9/HJR 1 here. 

Higher Education

Texas stands at a crossroads in shaping the future of its higher education system. On one hand, legislative efforts to increase funding, modernize community college financing, and align programs with workforce demands demonstrate a forward-looking approach to expanding opportunity and addressing the state’s economic needs. On the other hand, bills like SB 37 introduce a level of political interference that threatens the core values of academic freedom.

Funding for Universities and Community Colleges

The Legislature doubled the annual allocation of Higher Education Fund (HEF), funding for public universities outside of the University of Texas and the Texas A&M University systems. Additionally, $2.4 billion was allocated for the Public Junior College State Finance Program to maintain the credential-based funding model instituted last session. These initiatives aim to address the skills gap resulting from low postsecondary attainment and ensure Texas remains competitive in a rapidly evolving economy.

SB 1786 was also signed into law, which will improve Texas community college funding by refining outcomes-based formulas and better aligning education with workforce needs. LSG’s full analysis on SB 1786’s companion, HB 2110, can be found here.

Further Politicization of Higher Education

Last session, SB 17 (88R) prohibited Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and offices at public universities. The 89th Session saw the politicization continue with measures such as SB 37 (Creighton), which attempts to centralize control of public higher education under politically appointed boards and reduce faculty authority over curriculum and institutional decisions. It requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, who are appointed by the Governor, to review low-enrollment programs – the fear being that these reviews may provide justification to dismantle courses deemed as “liberal indoctrination,” such as cultural, gender, and arts studies. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 37 here. 

For Texas to truly lead in higher education, it must prioritize policies that support, not suppress, the intellectual vitality of its colleges and universities. SB 37 goes into effect September 1, 2025. 

Criminal Justice

The focus of the 89th session was on victim protections and limiting the pretrial options for those accused of certain crimes. 

Trey’s Law

SB 835 (Paxton), known as Trey’s law, takes a positive step by invalidating nondisclosure agreements in sexual abuse case settlements that prevent survivors from disclosing details of their abuse. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 835 here. SB 835 goes into effect on September 1, 2025. 

Protections for Police Misconduct

SB 1637 (King) shields peace officers from being charged with deadly conduct if they are on duty, even if they knowingly discharge a firearm at another person without legal justification.  This significantly weakens accountability for law enforcement and undermines public trust. Although the House added an amendment that would have limited the exemption to cases where the officer believed the use of force was justified, the final version of the bill, effective September 1, 2025, did not include this provision. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 1637 here. 

TDCJ Sunset Bill

SB 2405 (Parker), the Sunset Bill for TDCJ, continues the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) until 2037 and enacts broad reforms to modernize correctional oversight, improve parole supervision, enhance rehabilitation programming, and increase transparency and accountability across the State’s criminal justice system. However, it failed to include several critical accountability measures – most notably, provisions to require air conditioning in state prisons, despite growing public concern over extreme heat and inhumane conditions. Despite advocacy efforts, the bill also did not include provisions to create an independent oversight commission to investigate abuse and monitor conditions inside TDCJ facilities. Read LSG’s full analysis here. SB 2405 is effective September 1, 2025. 

Limiting Bail Access and Expanding Pretrial Detention

The Texas Constitution guarantees that “all prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offences.” Bail is a right; its denial is an exception to the rule that must be clearly defined. Currently, judges may deny bail in specific circumstances, primarily for individuals convicted of a prior felony and those convicted of a felony while out on bail or parole. 

SJR 5 (Huffman/Smithee) requires judges to deny bail for certain offenses if the bail is insufficient to ensure the defendant’s appearance in court or to ensure the safety of the community. Judges or magistrates who grant bail must prepare a written explanation justifying the bail decision. While there are certain egregious cases in which pretrial detention should be utilized, that determination is best made by a judge, without the state eroding their discretion and instituting broad requirements. Read LSG’s full analysis here. SJR 5 will be on the ballot in November.  

SJR 5’s more extreme counterpart, SJR 87 (Huffman/Little), and SJR 1 (Huffman/Smithee), which denies bail to undocumented immigrants charged with felonies, failed to reach a two-thirds vote threshold in the House. 

SB 9 (Huffman/Smithee) was also part of the leadership’s broader “bail reform” package aimed at tightening conditions for the release of individuals charged with violent offenses. SB 6 87(2), also known as the Damon Allen Act, limited personal bonds (release without financial requirements) primarily for repeat offenses. SB 9 takes this a step further with mandatory pre-sentencing incarceration for certain offenses, even if it is their first offense. SB 9 also restricts when magistrates can release a defendant on bail, potentially delaying bail proceedings and creating serious logistical impacts on already overburdened courts, especially in larger counties. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 9 here.  

National Security

State Creep into Federal Immigration Enforcement 

State leadership continues to insert itself into federal immigration law, a winning message for their base. This session, Governor Abbott signed SB 36 (Parker) to establish a Homeland Security Division within the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and SB 8 (Schwertner), which involves Texas sheriffs in immigration officer functions. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 36 here and SB 8 here. 

Both of these bills, signed by the Governor, raise serious concerns about placing immigration enforcement in the hands of local law enforcement — an area outside their expertise and funded at the taxpayers’ expense. Furthermore, involving local law enforcement in immigration enforcement may deter immigrant communities from reporting crimes, ultimately weakening public safety. 

A Focus on Foreign Adversaries 

While states have an important role in national security — particularly in protecting critical infrastructure — overly broad or poorly crafted legislation risks promoting discrimination and harming the economy. One such measure, SB 17 (Kolkhorst), goes into effect on September 1 and prohibits land ownership by entities and individuals tied to foreign governments deemed national security threats. Other states considering similar laws have often limited their scope to areas with clear security concerns, such as agricultural land or property near military bases and critical infrastructure. SB 17 applies statewide, without such targeted limitations. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

Another bill going into effect on September 1, HB 127 (Wilson) imposes a slew of restrictions on Texas public institutions of higher education, such as banning certain cultural exchange agreements and academic partnerships. While there are legitimate concerns about espionage in research institutions, HB 127 goes too far — restricting cultural learning experiences for students. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

In addition to these bills, several others targeting foreign adversaries will also become law and are generally more reasonable in scope:

• SB 2514 (Hughes) — establishes a Hostile Foreign Adversaries Unit, prohibits state employees from accepting gifts or travel from foreign adversaries, and updates cybersecurity training programs to better identify and respond to threats. Full analysis here. 
• HB 34 (Metcalf) — prohibits state investments in entities tied to adversarial nations, aligning state financial strategies with national security priorities and reducing financial risk. Full analysis here. 
• HB 119 (Gerdes) — prevents foreign adversaries from secretly influencing state policymaking through lobbyists. Full analysis here. 
• HB 130 (Bonnen) — protects the genomic data of Texans by blocking foreign adversaries from accessing or exploiting this sensitive information. Full analysis here. 

Expanding Firearm Carrying in Sensitive Locations

There was a broad agenda this session to expand firearm access in places previously considered off-limits, including schools, polling places, and government buildings. New laws carved out special exceptions allowing judges, county officials, election workers, LTC holders, and even medical personnel working with law enforcement to carry guns in restricted areas. Other bills weakened local gun control efforts, such as buy-back programs, and opened the door to more visible armed presence in public settings. Framed as public safety measures, these policies reflect a shift toward normalizing firearms in high-risk environments. Some of these bills, which are now laws, are listed below. 

• HB 3053 (Virdell) — prohibits cities and counties from organizing or participating in firearm buyback programs, eliminating a local option for voluntarily reducing the number of unwanted guns in communities. Full analysis here. 
• SB 1362 (Hughes) —  prohibits the enforcement of red flag laws in Texas unless explicitly authorized by state law, limiting tools available to prevent gun violence and increasing public safety risks by preventing intervention in high-risk situations. Full analysis here. 
• SB 870 (Birdwell) — allows uniformed school marshals to openly carry a handgun on school grounds (rather than concealed carry). Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 870’s companion bill, HB 3924 (Slawson) here. 
• SB 1596 (Hagenbuch) — legalizes the possession, manufacture, transport, repair, and sale of short-barrel firearms under Texas law, removing current prohibitions and raising serious public safety concerns due to the concealability and lethality of such weapons. Full analysis here. 
• HB 4995 (Wilson) — grants liability protections and firearm-related exemptions to certain licensed medical personnel embedded with law enforcement tactical units and directs the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to create a voluntary training program for these individuals. Full analysis here. 
• SB 890 (Paxton) — broadens concealed carry privileges for statutory probate judges and certain visiting judges. Full analysis here. 
• HB 1506 (Ashby) — broadens concealed carry privileges for retired judges of constitutional or statutory county courts. Full analysis here. 

The Push for More Housing Supply

Texas’s traditional advantage of affordable housing is rapidly eroding. A confluence of factors has made homeownership increasingly unattainable for many. The Comptroller estimates a shortage of 320,000 homes, which may drive up sales prices and rent. As a result, many bills were introduced this session to onland use and housing markets. 

Encouraging increased housing supply is essential to address rising housing costs, support economic growth, and meet the needs of a growing population. However, this must be balanced with respect for local control to ensure that new development aligns with community needs, preserves neighborhood character, and facilitates thoughtful planning. Empowering local governments to guide growth while providing them with the tools and flexibility to facilitate more housing can lead to smarter, more sustainable outcomes that work for both residents and local governments. Key legislation on housing supply that will soon take effect is discussed below. 

Lot Size Reduction and Zoning Changes

SB 15 (Bettencourt) brings the potential to reduce minimum lot sizes on undeveloped and unplatted land in 19 of Texas’ largest cities. It only applies to lots zoned for single-family housing. All existing building codes would still apply—with the exception of those that excessively limit density or mandate unnecessary parking—ensuring that new developments would remain safe and meet established standards. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

Mixed-Use Development

SB 840 (Hughes) aims to increase housing diversity in some of Texas’s largest and fastest-growing cities by permitting residential construction in commercially zoned areas, provided there are appropriate buffers near industrial uses. This could increase housing supply and lower costs without requiring extensive new infrastructure. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

Eliminating the “Tyrant’s Veto”

HB 24 (Orr) eliminates what has been called the “Tyrant’s Veto,” which has been used to stifle housing developments that could serve middle and low-income communities. The Tyrant’s Veto is a process that allows a landowner owning 20% of adjacent land area to protest a proposed zoning change to a neighboring property. This protest triggers a city council vote on the proposed zoning change. If just one-fourth of city council members vote against the proposed zoning change, it cannot continue. HB 24 balances these thresholds to make it more difficult to veto a proposed zoning change. Read LSG’s full analysis here. 

Eroding Tenant Protections and Expediting Evictions

Not all measures to increase housing supply were positive, however.  SB 38 (Bettencourt) stands out as one of the most harmful housing bills this session. Though meant to address squatting, it significantly erodes existing tenant legal protections and further expedites the eviction process. SB 38 overhauls eviction procedures by imposing stricter timelines, limiting tenant defenses, and expanding landlords’ powers, including allowing plain-clothed officers to remove tenants. It weakens notice requirements and increases the risk that tenants may be unaware of eviction proceedings. The bill also establishes a fast-track process that shifts the burden of proof to tenants, making it easier for landlords to obtain judgments without a full trial. SB 38 was signed into law. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 38 here. 

SB 1333 (Hughes), also aimed at addressing squatting, allows for the immediate removal of alleged squatters without due process or clear property verification in addition to the imposition of severe penalties that may not reflect the level of property damage. It mirrors Florida’s anti-squatting law, which has already led to wrongful evictions and legal abuse. SB 1333 was signed into law. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 1333 here. 

Dedicated Water Funding

With Texas’s population expected to grow from 30 million to 52 million by 2070, the state faces significant water demand and supply challenges. Water scarcity could also undermine the stability of the state’s electric grid, threatening communities, agriculture, and businesses across Texas.

To help address this, the 89th Texas Legislature proposed HJR 7, which voters will see on the November ballot. HJR 7 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the state to deposit up to $1 billion annually into the Texas Water Fund (TWF) from sales tax revenue exceeding $48 billion. This measure creates a stable, long-term funding stream modeled after the highway funding structure, with allocations continuing through 2035 unless extended.

SB 7 complements this by expanding the Texas Water Development Board’s (TWDB) authority to plan, coordinate, and finance water infrastructure projects. The bill also increases flexibility to fund a broad range of water-related needs, including: wastewater infrastructure, water reuse and out-of-state imports, reservoir development, and grants for rural and economically distressed areas. Read LSG’s full analyses for HJR 7 and SB 7. 

Energy

While Texas has addressed many of the grid vulnerabilities exposed by 2021’s Winter Storm Uri, there were still major grid reliability concerns coming into the session. Due to population growth, the electrification of the oilfield, the introduction of large loads, and increasingly frequent and severe weather events, grid reliability and resiliency warranted attention. 

Perhaps the Legislature’s most significant responses came by adding a regulatory framework for managing large loads, such as data centers, as well as through increased investment in nuclear power. The House attempted to make similar investments in geothermal energy that died in the Senate, and a great deal of emphasis was placed on wildfire mitigation, orphaned and inactive wells, and emergency response. Finally, the 89th Session brought further market reform by addressing utilities’ financing concerns related to extensive transmission buildouts. 

Managing Large Electricity Loads

In many ways, SB 6 (King) is an attempt to ensure that noncritical industries do not maintain power during grid emergencies while residential ratepayers freeze or overheat in their homes. Texas has seen deadly power outages in both cold and hot weather through Winter Storm Uri and Hurricane Beryl, and those outages could be much worse if industrial customers with energy demands greater than most cities are not further regulated. With ERCOT load demand projected to double by 2030, Texas’ grid cannot afford to lose any generation capacity. Large loads, such as data centers and crypto-mining operations, make up roughly half of the projected load growth, according to current ERCOT projections, and many plan to co-locate with existing generators in a manner that will now be regulated by SB 6.

SB 6 both regulates and incentivizes large load growth in the state. It standardizes the interconnection process for large loads, giving the Public Utility Commission (PUC) authority to set and enforce criteria aimed at improving ERCOT’s load forecasting and managing speculative projects in the interconnection queue. During emergencies, these loads may be required to switch to backup power after being given reasonable prior notice. These measures ensure consistency across ERCOT, reduce the risk of phantom load requests, and support infrastructure planning that aligns with actual demand. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 6 here. 

Investments in Nuclear Energy

HB 14 (Harris) makes a significant investment in the development of advanced nuclear energy in Texas through the creation of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund, three separate nuclear development reimbursement grant programs, and the Advanced Nuclear Energy Workforce Development Program. This could, one day, provide greatly needed reliable, dispatchable energy to the Texas electric grid, and create jobs, all without the harmful emissions of traditional fossil fuels. Read LSG’s full analysis on HB 14 here. 

Nuclear energy has risks, but it offers strong potential for Texas. It already supplies 10% of the state’s power, and advanced nuclear technologies can deliver more energy with lower emissions and less waste than fossil fuels. HB 14 would position Texas as a leader in this field by supporting job creation, energy reliability, and economic growth. While nuclear waste is a concern, the federal government has managed its storage safely for decades, and advanced reactors generate significantly less of it. Texas institutions like Texas A&M, Abilene Christian, and UT Austin are already leading in advanced nuclear research.

Wildfires, Orphaned and Inactive Wells, and Emergency Response

The House passed substantial reforms to address increasingly common and severe wildfires, ineffective regulation from the Railroad Commission (RRC) and the PUC, and aid in the state’s capacity to respond to emergencies. While the Senate also passed several of these bills, many others never even got a Senate hearing. 

House Bills 143, 144, and 145 by Rep. King all address different problems contributing to wildfire risk in the state, and each bill has or will become law. These bills will facilitate better risk mitigation planning, establish standards for the maintenance and inspection of power lines, and formalize a memorandum of understanding between the RRC and PUC, which should close an existing regulatory gap. See LSG analyses for HB 143 here, HB 144 here, and HB 145 here. 

SB 1146 (Birdwell) and SB 1150 (Middleton), also set to become law, could address many of the concerns with inactive and orphaned wells, which contribute to fire risk, among other issues. See LSG analyses for SB 1146’s companion bill, HB 3911, here and SB 1150 here. Although the number of such wells is vast, they will continue to be an issue for many years to come. 

Additionally, SB 34 (Sparks) provides some support for rural firefighters often tasked with putting out the widespread and devastating wildfires caused by aging oil and gas electrical infrastructure. See LSG’s analysis here. 

Elections

Instead of reducing barriers for eligible voters, the 89th Legislature focused on noncitizen voting. SJR 37 (Birdwell), on the ballot in November 2025, proposes adding noncitizens to the list of people ineligible to vote. This measure is redundant as the section of the Constitution immediately after the proposed amendment already explicitly states that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote. SJR 37 will be on the November 2025 ballot. LSG’s full analysis on SJR 37 can be found here under its companion, HJR 161. This narrative falsely claims that non-citizen voting is a widespread problem that undermines election integrity, despite a lack of supporting evidence.

Attacks on the LGBTQIA+ Community 

The 89th Legislative Session has continued the attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically focusing on the transgender community. Four egregious bills will become law in September:

• HB 229 (Troxclair) — mandates that all governmental entities classify individuals strictly as either male or female, erasing the existence of transgender and nonbinary people in official records. LSG’s full analysis here. 
• HB 1106 (Shaheen) — explicitly excludes identity-based family rejection from being considered child abuse or neglect, making it harder for child welfare professionals to intervene when LGBTQIA+ youth are subjected to emotional or psychological harm at home. LSG’s full analysis here. 
• SB 1257 (Hughes) — imposes punitive financial requirements on insurers that cover gender-affirming care, effectively creating a ban on insurance coverage for these treatments. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 1257 here under its companion, HB 778 (Leach). 
• SB 412 (Middleton) — removes legal protections for educators, healthcare professionals, and therapists who provide age-appropriate sexual education and support to children, especially around topics like consent, abuse prevention, and LGBTQIA+ identity. LSG’s full analysis on SB 412 can be found here under its companion, HB 267 (Patterson). 

THC for Medicinal and Recreational Use

Ultimately, there was no victor in the choice between banning or regulating THC –Gov. Abbott vetoed SB 3 (Perry), leaving Texans with the status quo for now. Texas needs an extensive regulatory framework with clear guidelines for product safety, labeling, testing, and distribution, like the version of SB 3 passed by the House Committee on State Affairs this session. Read LSG’s full analysis here. The House version also included strong protections for minors — a marketing ban targeting children, a minimum purchase age of 21, and restrictions on retail activity within 300 feet of sensitive locations like schools and shelters. Gov. Abbott has indicated this issue will come up again in a special session this year. 

HB 46 (King), signed into law, expands the Texas Compassionate Use Program by broadening eligibility to include patients with chronic pain and those receiving hospice care and allows access to inhalable medical cannabis products such as vapes and aerosol inhalers, which were previously unavailable under Texas law. It also allows medical cannabis products to be stored at satellite distribution centers, increasing access. Read LSG’s full analysis on HB 46 here. This legislation gives patients viable alternatives to opioids and opens the door to more responsive, evidence-based treatment. 

Technology and AI

Technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), emerged as a crucial topic during this legislative session, with lawmakers discussing its vital role in Texas’s future. Several key bills addressed the impacts and regulation of these rapidly evolving fields.

Protecting Against AI-Generated Harm

HB 581 (González, Mary) creates a civil penalty for websites that allow users to create intimate deepfakes of minors. Read LSG’s full analysis on HB 581 here. 

Sweeping App Access Restrictions

SB 2420 (Paxton) requires age verification and parental consent for all app access, creating privacy risks, compliance burdens, and legal uncertainty that could limit app availability. While intended to prevent children from downloading social media apps, HB 2420 takes a much broader approach by imposing age verification requirements for all apps. The Governor signed the bill and is effective starting January 1, 2026. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 2420 here. 

Lottery Functions and Funding 

SB 3070 abolishes the Texas Lottery Commission and transfers lottery and bingo administration to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). It extends lottery functions and the funding it provides to public education and veteran services. Lastly, it implements the majority of the applicable recommendations from the Sunset Advisory Commission. Without SB 3070, the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC) would have been abolished on September 1, 2025, following criticism from lawmakers over lax regulatory oversight and its handling of lottery courier services. Read LSG’s full analysis on SB 3070 here.