On Sept. 1, 2025, more than 800 bills passed during the 89th Texas Legislature became law, marking a sweeping update across various sectors, from education and public safety to agriculture, healthcare and public morality.
Here are some of the most consequential legislative changes and their potential impact.
1. Education, religion and school policy
Mandating the Ten Commandments in classrooms
Senate Bill (SB) 10 requires public schools to display a 16-by-20-inch framed copy of the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The law formalizes the display but includes no state funding for implementation, leaving districts such as the Houston Independent School District to handle procurement. Legal challenges have ensued, with civil liberties advocates citing constitutional concerns and seeking injunctions.
“Right to religious speech” at work
SB 965 protects public school employees’ right to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty, reinforcing religious expression among staff.
Nutrition education
SB 25, dubbed the “Make Texas Healthy Again” initiative, requires medical schools to institute nutrition education and sets continuing education requirements for physicians. It also prohibits schools from using recess as a disciplinary tool.
2. Public health, substance regulation and food safety
Ban on lab-grown meat
Texas becomes the seventh U.S. state to prohibit the sale of cell-cultured (lab-grown) meat via SB 261, citing consumer protection and support for traditional agriculture. Violations are classified as Class A misdemeanors, with repeat infractions potentially rising to felony-level penalties.
THC vaping products banned
SB 2024 outlaws the sale, marketing, and advertising of vape pens containing cannabinoids, including THC, CBD, Delta-8 THC and THCA. This ban focuses strictly on commercial activity and does not criminalize possession or personal use. Violators face Class A misdemeanor charges, up to a year in jail and/or a fine of $4,000.
However, Texas lawmakers failed to gain support for legislation that regulates hemp THC products. This means consumers can still access products containing the substance. The legislature tried to ban hemp THC products during the regular legislative session, but Gov Greg Abbott vetoed the proposal. He brought up the regulation again during special legislative sessions, but GOP lawmakers could not reach a consensus on it.
3. Criminal justice and safety
New crimes and enhanced penalties
Several bills introduced new criminal offenses and elevated penalties:
- House Bill (HB) 1778 strengthens laws against human trafficking, child pornography and prostitution, including creating new offenses and increasing criminal penalties; it also adjusts the statute of limitations
- HB 166 specifically targets individuals endangering vulnerable groups (children, elderly, disabled) through actions involving controlled substances listed in Penalty Group 1-B
“Jugging” becomes a crime
HB 1902 criminalizes “jugging”, a form of organized theft, law enforcement jargon for snatching items from people in public. This reflects a response to a perceived uptick in this type of crime
Also,
- HB 108 increases penalties for using metal or body armor during certain offenses
- HB 1422 expands protections for victims of sexual abuse by creating new offenses, altering parole eligibility, and strengthening prosecution parameters
4. Government, oversight and lobbying
Restrictions on abortion support
SB 33 prohibits state or local governmental entities from financially or logistically supporting abortion, including contract-based assistance to abortion providers or facilitators
Lobbying transparency
HB 119 regulates the registration of lobbyists representing foreign adversaries and imposes civil penalties on those receiving related compensation
5. Infrastructure, environment and transportation
Water infrastructure oversight
SB 9 improves the oversight and financing of water infrastructure through the Texas Water Development Board. Most provisions took effect on September 1, 2025, though some sections are deferred pending voter approval of HJR 7 in November
Plugging inactive oil and gas wells
SB 1150 enhances the regulation of inactive wells under the authority of the Railroad Commission, allowing for administrative penalties to ensure timely plugging and reporting
Memorial designations for roads
Multiple bills designate stretches of highways and bridges (e.g., HB 1960, HB 2061) as memorials honoring veterans and law enforcement
6. Children, families and social services
- HB 107 establishes a sickle cell disease registry to facilitate better treatment tracking
- HB 114 transfers authority for certain veteran mental health programs to the Texas Veterans Commission to centralize services
Safeguarding children
HB 908 requires law enforcement to report missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, improving national tracking
