Hundreds of bills were sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk as the 2025 legislative session came to an end on June 2. The governor must now veto or approve those bills by June 22, either by signing them or doing nothing to allow them to become laws. Some are effective immediately, while most would take effect on Sept. 1.
Abbott already signed two of this session’s most watched bills into law in the last month. Senate Bill 2 allows the state to create a $1 billion fund for private school students in Texas. On Wednesday, Abbott signed a bill into law that gives public schools in Texas an $8.5 billion boost, with about half of which going to teacher and staff raises.
The other bills we’re following:
🚫 A THC Ban
Abbott has to decide whether or not to allow a law banning products with THC in them to go through. It is not clear what move the governor will make. Banning THC was one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priorities for the session, but the bill has received pushback statewide, including from veterans and business owners. About 120,000 letters opposing the ban were delivered to Abbott’s office this week.
📚 More Public School Changes
Two bills – Senate Bill 10 and Senate Bill 13 – would bring big changes to Texas schools if Abbott signs them into law. Senate Bill 10 would require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms. Senate Bill 13 would allow parents and school boards to have more control over which books are allowed in school libraries.
🏳️🌈 A Ban on Student LGBTQ+ Groups
A ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in K-12 schools would prohibit schools from sponsoring or allowing student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Advocates of the bill have said it gives parents more rights.
👮 Forced Cooperation of Texas Sheriffs With ICE
Senate Bill 8 would require most sheriffs in the state to have a formal agreement to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Travis County Sheriff’s Office is currently researching what a partnership with ICE would look like. Abbott has shown his support for the bill.
