In a busy legislative week, the Texas Senate passed several significant bills following the end of the constitutional prohibition on considering legislation in the first 60 days of session. These bills are part of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s priority list, as he sets the agenda for the chamber and reserves low bill numbers to highlight his major goals.
On Wednesday, the Senate approved a measure to ban products containing THC, which is present in cannabis. This move comes after a 2019 bill led to an $8 billion industry selling such products. The bill, SB 3, authored by Senator Charles Perry from Lubbock, aims to close loopholes by banning any amount of THC in consumable products sold in Texas.
The Senate also addressed electrical demand with SB 6 by Senator Phil King from Weatherford. With predictions that electric demand will almost double by 2030, this bill seeks to overhaul how new generation is predicted and permitted. It includes regulating one-to-one contracts between generators and consumers and expanding load shed policies.
Other infrastructure-related bills include SB 15 by Senator Paul Bettencourt from Houston, aiming to lower housing costs by limiting local authority over new developments; and SB 35 by Senator Robert Nichols from Jacksonville, which reduces design-build contracts for larger projects.
Significant changes were proposed for public schools as well. SB 10 requires displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms; SB 11 allows optional prayer periods; SB 13 gives parents more control over school library materials; and SB 14 bans DEI activities at public schools. Additionally, SB 18 prohibits "Drag Queen Story Hours" in publicly funded libraries, while SB 20 bans certain obscene materials unless used by law enforcement.
Senator Mayes Middleton saw success with several measures including prohibiting public money for lobbyists (SB 19) and more bills are advancing through committees. Notably, Hughes’ SB 16 requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration was considered Thursday alongside Schwertner’s SB 8 mandating cooperation between local and federal immigration officials.
The Finance Committee passed out the state budget (SB1), led by chair Joan Huffman from Houston. The full Senate could see this presented next week.
