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On Wednesday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) announced the first round of his legislative priorities for the ongoing 89th Legislative Session. Some initiatives had been previewed ahead of the session, while others were newly introduced. Many of these proposals have yet to be formally filed, and at the time of publication, several lacked known sponsors.
In a statement, Patrick said:
“Over the last four years, the Texas Senate held the line, fighting back against President Biden’s disastruous agenda. Now, with President Trump back in office, Texas has a friend in the White House. The Texas Senate will continue to lead as the preeminent legislative body in America by passing our bold, conservative agenda, helping President Trump deliver on his promise of making America great again.”
Source: Statement by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, 1.29.2025
Key Legislative Priorities for the Texas Senate
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority legislation covers a broad spectrum of issues, including property tax reform, school choice, border security, and government efficiency. Here’s a breakdown of the key proposals:
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s Priority Bills
| Bill Number | Author | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| SB 1 | Huffman, Joan (R) | Senate’s Budget for Texas |
| SB 2 | Creighton, Brandon (R) | Providing School Choice |
| SB 3 | Perry, Charles (R) | Banning THC in Texas |
| SB 4 | Unknown | Increasing the Homestead Exemption to $140,000 ($150,000 for Seniors) |
| SB 5 | Huffman, Joan (R) | Combatting Alzheimer’s – Establishing DPRIT (Dementia Prevention & Research Institute of Texas) |
| SB 6 | Unknown | Increasing Texas’ Electric Grid Reliability |
| SB 7 | Unknown | Increasing Investments in Texas’ Water Supply |
| SB 8 | Unknown | Requiring Local Law Enforcement to Assist the Federal Government’s Deportation Efforts |
| SB 9 | Unknown | Reforming Bail – Keeping Violent Criminals Off Our Streets |
| SB 10 | Unknown | Placing the Ten Commandments in School |
| SB 11 | Unknown | Protecting the Freedom to Pray in School |
| SB 12 | Unknown | Establishing a Parental Bill of Rights in Public Education |
| SB 13 | Unknown | Guarding Against Inappropriate Books in Public Schools |
| SB 14 | Unknown | Texas DOGE – Improving Government Efficiency |
| SB 15 | Unknown | Removing Barriers to Affordable Housing |
| SB 16 | Unknown | Stopping Non-Citizens from Voting |
| SB 17 | Unknown | Stopping Foreign Adversaries’ Land Grabs |
| SB 18 | Unknown | Stopping Drag Time Story Hour |
| SB 19 | Unknown | Stopping Taxpayer Dollars for Lobbyists |
| SB 20 | Unknown | Stopping AI Child Pornography |
| SB 21 | Unknown | Establishing the Texas Bitcoin Reserve |
| SB 22 | Unknown | Establishing Texas as America’s Film Capital |
| SB 23 | Unknown | Removing the Cap on the Rainy Day Fund to Secure Texas’ Long-term |
| SB 24 | Unknown | Educating Texas Students on the Horrors of Communism |
| SB 25 | Unknown | Making Texas Healthy Again |
Texas’ Proposed $332.2 Billion Budget: Key Takeaways
Last week, lawmakers and the public got their first look at Texas’ proposed state budget for the 2026-27 biennium. The Senate’s proposal, SB 1, outlines $332.2 billion in spending across multiple sectors, reflecting several of Lt. Gov. Patrick’s legislative priorities.
The budget includes funding for property tax relief, increased public school funding, and teacher pay raises. Additionally, it features major investments in critical infrastructure projects, including water, energy, and transportation. However, some spending allocations are drawing scrutiny, such as the $500 million film incentives program aimed at making Texas a hub for film production. The budget also proposes an expanded border security initiative, the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, and a new Texas Bitcoin Reserve.
School Choice and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)
Earlier this week, the Senate introduced its Education Savings Account (ESA) bill, a key component of the school choice agenda. The bill was swiftly referred to the Senate Education K-16 Committee, which held a public hearing and quickly advanced the legislation. The full Senate is expected to consider the bill next week.
Lt. Gov. Patrick has long championed school choice, arguing that ESAs will empower parents to direct their children’s education by providing state-funded accounts that can be used for private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, and other educational services.
Property Tax Relief: A Controversial Approach
Lt. Gov. Patrick’s renewed push to increase the homestead exemption remains controversial, as this method has consistently failed to provide broad-based relief. While it benefits homeowners who qualify for exemptions, it shifts the tax burden onto renters and those who do not qualify.
This issue was central to the previous legislative session’s debate over property tax reform, where the Texas House favored appraisal caps and M&O tax rate reductions over homestead exemptions. Many policy experts, including Texas Policy Research, argue that buying down M&O taxes provides more sustainable relief without shifting the burden onto non-homeowners.
Governor Abbott’s State of the State Address and Emergency Items
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) is set to deliver his State of the State Address on Sunday, February 2, 2025, where he will announce his emergency items—his top legislative priorities for the session. Given the strong alignment between Abbott and Patrick, it is expected that many of the Lt. Governor’s priorities will also appear on the Governor’s agenda.
Conclusion: What’s Next for the Texas Legislature?
As the 89th Texas Legislative Session unfolds, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s legislative priorities will drive debates on school choice, property tax relief, border security, and government efficiency. However, budget allocations, corporate subsidies, and long-term tax policies are likely to spark tensions between the Senate and House.
Meanwhile, the legislative agenda of House leadership, including newly elected Speaker Dustin Burrows (R), remains to be seen. Over the coming weeks, as key bills are introduced and committee assignments take shape, the House’s priorities will become clearer—setting the stage for what could be a contentious and pivotal session for Texas policymaking.
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