The Texas Senate is off to a fast start in the 89th Legislative Session as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unveiled the first wave of priority bills that he and the Republican-led Senate will focus on. Patrick announced that he has increased the number of priority bills this session from 30 to 40, underscoring their importance to the conservative majority in Texas.
"These bills represent the will of the conservative majority of Texans, and many will pass with bipartisan support," Patrick stated in his press release.
Patrick also noted that just because a bill is not included in the top 40 does not mean it will not be addressed, emphasizing that the Senate will pass hundreds of bills covering a wide range of issues.
Key Legislative Priorities for 2025
The first 25 priority bills released by Patrick’s office cover a broad spectrum of policy areas, from state budgeting and infrastructure to education, public safety, and controversial social issues.
State Budget, Economy, and Infrastructure
SB 1 – State Budget: The foundational bill for Texas’ spending priorities over the next two years.
SB 6 – Strengthening the Electric Grid: Aims to enhance reliability in response to past power grid failures.
SB 7 – Water Supply Investments: Seeks to increase funding for infrastructure improvements to address Texas’ growing water demands.
SB 15 – Affordable Housing: Reduces government barriers to lower housing costs for Texans.
SB 23 – Rainy Day Fund Expansion: Lifts the cap on Texas’ emergency savings fund to ensure long-term financial stability.
Education and Parental Rights
SB 2 – School Choice Expansion: Seeks to give parents more control over their children's education through vouchers or other funding options.
SB 10 – Ten Commandments in Schools: Would require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
SB 11 – Freedom to Pray in Schools: Protects students' rights to engage in prayer and religious expression in public schools.
SB 12 – Parental Bill of Rights: Strengthens parents' ability to oversee and influence public education policies.
SB 13 – Book Restrictions in Schools: Targets the removal of inappropriate or controversial books from school libraries.
SB 24 – Teaching the ‘Horrors of Communism’: Adds curriculum requirements for students to learn about the dangers of communist regimes.
Law and Order Measures
SB 8 – Law Enforcement and Deportation Assistance: Requires local police departments to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
SB 9 – Bail Reform: Implements stricter bail policies to prevent the release of violent offenders.
SB 16 – Preventing Non-Citizen Voting: Strengthens measures to ensure only U.S. citizens can vote in Texas elections.
SB 18 – Banning Drag Time Story Hour: Aims to prohibit drag performances for children in libraries and public spaces.
SB 19 – Ending Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying: Blocks government entities from using taxpayer money to lobby legislators.
Technology and Cultural Legislation
SB 20 – AI Child Pornography Ban: Criminalizes the creation and distribution of AI-generated explicit content involving children.
SB 21 – Texas Bitcoin Reserve: Establishes a state-managed Bitcoin reserve as part of Texas’ financial strategy.
SB 22 – Making Texas the ‘Film Capital of America’: Promotes incentives to attract more film and television productions to Texas.
Patrick emphasized that additional legislative priorities, particularly concerning border security and disaster response, would be announced in the coming weeks.
A Legislative Sprint in the Texas Senate
The Texas Senate is known for moving quickly, largely due to its Republican supermajority, which allows conservative lawmakers to advance legislation at a rapid pace. In contrast, the Texas House is more divided, and historically, some Senate-led initiatives have faced hurdles in the lower chamber.
One of the key dynamics to watch this session will be the working relationship between Patrick and newly elected House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock). The two have had a rocky history, and Patrick was vocal about his criticisms of Burrows' rise to the speakership. However, Patrick has signaled a willingness to rebuild their cooperation.
"We will be having breakfast together, as we have in past sessions," Patrick said, referring to a past tradition of collaboration between Senate and House leadership that had faltered in recent years due to tensions between chamber leaders.
What’s Next?
With the legislative session now fully underway, Texans can expect the Senate to quickly pass many of these priority bills. However, the real test will come in the Texas House, where more contentious proposals could face resistance. The coming months will determine which of these measures ultimately become law and which will stall amid political debate.
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