Howdy!
Today marks a key milestone in the 89th Legislative Session—the bill filing deadline. From this point forward, lawmakers are precluded from introducing any new bills, meaning the focus now shifts to the measures already on the table. With the floodgates officially closed, we’ll soon see which proposals gain traction and which ones stall out. As bills move through committees and onto the House and Senate floors for debate, our attention turns to providing more comprehensive floor reports to keep you informed on the most critical legislative battles ahead.
In this week’s Gavel to Gavel, we break down the latest developments, major committee actions, and what to watch as the session heats up. Let’s dive in!
For Liberty, For Texas
Jeramy D. Kitchen
President, Texas Policy Research
Featured
The Slow Start: Why Texas Lawmakers Can’t Consider
Most Bills at the Beginning of Session
At the start of every Texas legislative session, a bottleneck in the lawmaking process slows down the consideration of most bills. This delay is largely due to a constitutional provision that prevents lawmakers from passing non-emergency legislation during the first 60 days of the session unless designated as an emergency item by the governor. As a result, while thousands of bills are filed, most remain in limbo until the restriction is lifted, leading to a concentrated rush in the latter half of the session. This system, intended to allow lawmakers time to organize and prioritize, often creates inefficiencies and limits the window for meaningful debate and deliberation.
This slow start significantly impacts legislative strategy, forcing lawmakers to carefully time their proposals and committee work. The delay also gives leadership figures, such as the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker, more control over the session’s pace and priorities. While some argue that this structure ensures a more deliberate approach, others contend that it hampers lawmakers’ ability to address pressing issues in a timely manner. As the session progresses beyond the 60-day mark, attention quickly shifts from bill filing to committee hearings and floor debates, leading to a packed legislative calendar with little room for error.
Bill Filing Deadline Looms
Today marks the bill filing deadline for the ongoing 89th Legislative Session, the 60th day of the 140-day session. This deadline is the last opportunity for lawmakers to introduce new legislation for consideration—unless a supermajority vote allows an exception.
With the filing window now closed, the focus shifts from bill introductions to committee hearings, floor debates, and legislative negotiations. This deadline also helps clarify which issues will take center stage, as only the bills already submitted will move forward in the process. Lawmakers must now work within the existing proposals to shape the policies that will define this session.
The good news? We’ve read them all! As bills advance through the legislative process, we’ll continue providing comprehensive floor reports with in-depth bill analysis and vote recommendations for lawmakers.
Other Recent Content
Legislative Spotlight:
Senate Bill 3 – Dan Patrick’s Ban on All THC Products
- Texas Senate Bill 3, backed by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, seeks to ban all THC products, including hemp-derived variants like Delta-8 and Delta-9. The bill aims to close loopholes in existing law that have allowed these products to remain legal under federal guidelines. Supporters argue the ban is necessary to prevent unregulated sales, particularly to minors, while opponents warn it could severely impact Texas farmers and small businesses that rely on the hemp industry.
- The bill has sparked debate over personal freedom, economic consequences, and government overreach. While proponents emphasize public safety concerns, critics argue that prohibition could push consumers toward illicit markets. The outcome of SB 3 will depend on how lawmakers weigh regulation against economic and individual liberty concerns, making it a key issue to watch this session.
Floor Reports
For every bill placed on a calendar in both chambers of the Texas Legislature, we issue a floor report detailing the bill’s intent, its fiscal implications, and our vote recommendations to state lawmakers based on our five liberty principles. Below are the Floor Reports we published this week:
In Case You Missed It
Legislative Spotlight:
House Bill 2 – What It Means for Texas Schools
- House Bill 2 proposes a significant expansion of government-run education in Texas, increasing state control over early childhood programs. The bill would establish a universal pre-K program, effectively broadening the government’s role in early education. Supporters argue this measure provides greater access to quality education for young children, particularly those from low-income families. However, critics warn that it could lead to increased bureaucracy, diminish parental choice, and place additional financial burdens on taxpayers.
- Opponents of HB 2 also raise concerns about the potential for government overreach and one-size-fits-all education policies. They argue that expanding state-run education could weaken alternatives such as private and home-schooling options. As the bill moves through the legislative process, the debate will center on balancing accessibility with maintaining educational freedom and local control.
Filed Legislation Summaries
- We have read through all of the filed legislation for the 89th Legislative Session. While lawmakers will continue filing new bills—and we’ll continue analyzing them—we’ve already compiled summaries of each piece of legislation to give you a head start. These summaries are just the beginning as we gear up for our next round of in-depth policy analysis and prepare our more comprehensive floor reports as the session is underway.
Upcoming Events
Texas Policy Research is proud to partner with organizations and groups across Texas to share insights and expertise. Here’s where you can find us next:
- Richardson Republican Women
- When: Wednesday, April 16th, 2025 at 6:00 pm
- Where: Spring Creek BBQ, 270 N. Central Expy, Richardson, TX 75080
- Topic(s): 89th Legislative Session Update
- RED Texas Forum
- When: Thursday, May 15th, 2025 at 7:30 pm
- Where: La Prada Church of Christ, 2724 La Prada Dr., Mesquite, TX 75150
- Topic(s): Texas Legislative Process & 89th Legislative Session Update
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Legislative Countdowns
Bill Filing Deadline: 0 Days
89th Legislative Session Ends: 80 Days
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