Here’s a quick recap of what happened over the last week:
Bill Filing Deadline
Last Friday – the 60th day of the session — was the last day members of the House and Senate could file bills for the session. Anything filed now would take a 4/5ths approval from each House. So, from here on out, anything filed is either a purely local proposition or something that has complete agreement from all members – rare in today’s environment.
When the dust settled, a total of 5,646 bills were filed in the House and 3,208 bills were filed in the Senate. When the session ends on June 2nd, about 1,400 of those will have passed and be on their way to the Governor’s desk. The 60th day also marks the deadline when all bills are eligible for consideration. Prior to the 60th day, only items deemed as emergencies by the Governor are eligible for consideration unless there is a 4/5ths approval from each chamber.
The Senate has passed dozens of bills so far, including the school voucher legislation, pay raises for teachers, bail reform, prayer in school, and several other conservative priorities laid out by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. The Texas House has not passed any legislation through the full chamber.
Hemp Ban Passes Senate
The Senate passed Senate Bill 3 on Wednesday, advancing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority to ban all forms of products containing THC, the intoxicating byproduct of marijuana. The bill, which passed 24-7, would outlaw consumable hemp products containing any amount of THC, effectively shutting down an industry that has grown since 2019. Current Texas law allows hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% THC, but Patrick and others argue that the industry has exploited loopholes, leading to increased public health risks.
The hemp industry has pushed back, arguing that the ban would devastate an $8 billion market, eliminate 50,000 jobs, and drive consumers to the black market, where products could be even more dangerous. The Texas Hemp Business Council and other industry groups have proposed alternative regulations, including age restrictions and tamper-proof packaging, as a compromise to ensure safety without eliminating the industry. However, law enforcement officials supporting SB 3 claim that illegal high-potency THC products are already widely available and pose a serious risk.
The House does not have companion legislation. The priority bill in the House — House Bill 28 — would require stricter oversight of hemp related products, rather than an all-encompassing ban. The House bill also bans all types of products – vapes, gummies, smokes, etc. – except for liquid based drinks.
The vast difference in the approach to the issue will create an interesting dynamic for the session. At a press conference on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick reiterated his commitment to banning THC products in Texas, calling them a “poison in our public.” Patrick emphasized his goal of having no exceptions with the potential ban, including for THC-infused beverages sold in liquor stores. The event drew criticism from pro-cannabis groups, who accused Patrick of using fear and misinformation while ignoring regulatory solutions that could better ensure consumer safety.
Patrick has said that the issue ranks high enough on his priority list that if a ban is not passed by the legislature, then he will either ask for or force a special session to resolve the issue.
Legislation Affecting Public Schools
On Wednesday, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 10 by a vote of 20-11, requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all classrooms. Despite five proposed amendments from Democrats, the bill passed strictly along party lines. Just one day prior, SB 11 was approved with support from all Republicans and three Democrats. This bill would allow school districts to set aside time for students to pray during school hours.
Beyond these bills emphasizing Christianity in schools, the Senate also passed SB 13, shifting the authority to approve school library materials from librarians to school boards. The bill establishes a process for parents to challenge library content, requiring the school board, not librarians, to make final decisions on whether materials remain accessible. The Senate also passed SB 12, which extends the university-level ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies to K-12 schools. This bill also passed along party lines. While the original version of SB 12 included penalties for noncompliance, the final Senate-approved version removed these punitive measures. These bills now move to the Texas House for consideration.
On the House side, HB 1481 was heard in the Public Education committee this week which would ban cellphone use during the school day. The bill seems to have bipartisan support, though some lawmakers, raised concerns about the extensive “school day” language compared to the previously used “instructional time.” If enacted, students would generally be required to keep their phones out of sight throughout the school day, with exceptions for extracurricular activities. Critics of the policy highlight the impact on school safety, particularly in emergencies. Additionally, as an unfunded mandate, there are concerns about how schools will enforce the rule. Interestingly enough, the bill was introduced by Rep. Caroline Fairly—the only Gen Z member of the legislature.
Border News
The Texas Senate State Affairs Committee had a hearing Monday on Senate Bill 8 which would require sheriffs in counties with over 100,000 residents to enter into agreements with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding immigration enforcement. These agreements have been a controversial tool in the past, particularly due to concerns about racial profiling. The bill would also provide financial support for counties with fewer than a million residents to implement the program, though the largest counties would be responsible for their own funding.
Sheriffs from around the state expressed cautious support, citing concerns about the financial and staffing burdens required for participation in the program. Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne, representing the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas, emphasized that while many sheriffs already cooperate with ICE, making participation mandatory could create a financial strain on already tight budgets for sheriffs. Others representing hardline immigration groups, argued that the bill did not go far enough. For example, Texans for Strong Borders advocated for an even broader mandate requiring all law enforcement agencies—not just sheriffs—to join the program.
Opponents of the bill, including the ACLU of Texas and the Texas Civil Rights Project, strongly criticized the bill, arguing that it would divert resources away from more urgent local priorities and exacerbate racial profiling concerns.
Despite the debate, law enforcement officials noted that sheriffs across Texas already cooperate with ICE under existing laws, raising questions about the necessity of the mandate proposed in SB 8. ICE data further indicates that border encounters had significantly declined in early 2025. While the bill remains pending in the committee, its future will likely depend on negotiations over funding and the extent of local law enforcement’s role in immigration enforcement.
In other border related news, the federal government has dropped a challenge to a Texas law that creates a state crime for illegally crossing the Texas border. The law allows state and local law enforcement to arrest those suspected of crossing illegally on state trespassing charges. The Trump administration has dropped the challenge by the federal government that was initiated by the Biden administration. Immigrants rights groups and the Civil Rights Project will continue with their challenge to the law.
And finally, the Trump administration has deployed a US Navy destroyer to the southern border to continue its crackdown on illegal immigration. The USS Gravely will set sail tomorrow from Virginia to assist the US Northern Command’s in its efforts to tighten border security. The warship previously served in the Middle East, where it was responsible for the interception of missiles fired by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
Revisions of Abortion Restrictions
Both chambers have introduced the “Life of the Mother Act,” to clarify when doctors can legally intervene to save a pregnant patient’s life under the 2021 imposed abortion bans. The legislation seeks to clarify confusion in the law by defining medical emergencies more explicitly, ensuring that doctors and lawyers can discuss necessary procedures without fear of legal repercussions and affirming that doctors are not required to withhold life-saving treatment to preserve a fetus.
Despite lawsuits, court rulings, and guidance from the Texas Medical Board, doctors have continued to report uncertainty, leading to delayed or denied care. The Texas Supreme Court in 2024 upheld the state’s abortion laws. However, there have been instances that have led to the proposed change in the law including the deaths of at least three Texan women due to delayed treatment. While the bill has bipartisan support, it does not address common exceptions in other states, such as cases of rape, incest, or severe fetal anomalies. However, many doctors, medical organizations, and Democrats see it as a necessary step to prevent further harm.
While abortion rights advocates have acknowledged the potential benefits from this legislation, recent developments in Houston have demonstrated the effects of the state’s near total abortion ban. Texas authorities have made the first criminal arrests in response to the 2021 law. Two individuals have been charged for allegedly performing illegal abortions and practicing medicine without a license. A midwife and one employee who operated clinics near and around Houston are facing second-degree felony charges, which carries a sentence of 20 years in prison. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office announced the charges, stating that the operators of the clinics employed unlicensed individuals who falsely presented themselves as medical professionals. A third individual, who is a nurse practitioner with a probationary license, was also arrested and charged with conspiracy to practice medicine without a license.
Authorities have also filed a temporary restraining order to shut down the clinics. Paxton is using this case to emphasize his commitment to enforcing Texas’ strict abortion laws and reiterate the jurisdiction of the state in handling abortion prosecution.
Lottery Winner Denied
There has been no shortage of news regarding the Texas Lottery Commission this session. Legislation has been introduced to abolish the commission, stemming from a drawing that awarded an $83 million jackpot where the winning ticket was purchased the use of a 3rd party vendor who brokered tickets through an app. The Texas Rangers have begun an investigation, and state leaders have held up the awarding of the prize money until the completion of the investigation.
The Lottery Commission has come under intense scrutiny for violating the ban on selling tickets by phone and for their involvement in a scheme in 2023 that allowed one specific courier to make a bulk purchase of $25 million that included 99% of the number combinations for a $95 million jackpot.
The recent ticket for the $83 million jackpot was purchased on February 17th, just days before the Lottery Commission was excoriated by members of the Senate State Affairs Committee for their allowance of courier services and tickets purchased through apps on phones. The winning ticket was purchased by a 3rd party courier. The courier is affiliated with sports betting giant DraftKings.
Political Notes
In addition to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, second term Congressman Wesley of Hunt of Houston is also considering a challenge to incumbent US Senator John Cornyn in next year’s Republican primary. According to a University of Texas Politics Project poll released in February, Cornyn’s approval rate – 48% among Republican voters — is the lowest of all statewide officeholders in Texas. By comparison, Senator Ted Cruz comes in at 78% approval while Paxton enjoys a 60% approval among Republicans. Hunt has started running statewide ads on conservative radio talk shows to boost his statewide name ID to gauge the possibility of a challenge to Cornyn.
The 73-year-old Cornyn has said he will seek a 5th term in the US Senate in 2026. In Texas, no US Senator has lost in a primary race since 1970.
Former Houston City Councilwoman Amanda Edwards is the latest to jump into the race to succeed Sylvester Turner – who passed away last week — in the race for Congressional District 18 in Houston. She joins Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, who has recently garnered several key endorsements, including Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. Edwards has run unsuccessfully for the seat twice before. Political influencer Isaiah Martin is also in the race and state Rep. Jolanda Jones is rumored to be considering a run. No date for the special election has been set.
At the state level, former San Antonio City Councilman Reed Williams is set to challenge first term Republican Rep. Marc Lahood in the central San Antonio district. Williams will run as a Democrat in the Republican leaning district that covers Alamo Heights and areas north of downtown.
What’s Next??
The Senate has recessed until 2PM on Monday to refer bills and then they will adjourn until 11AM Tuesday.
The House is at ease until 2PM Monday for bill referrals and then will adjourn until Tuesday at 10AM.
A listing of all committee hearings for next week can be found here: https://www.legis.state.tx.us
On Monday, there will be 70 days left in the session.