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Howdy!
I hope you all had a restful and blessed Thanksgiving holiday!
We did it! Our team reviewed every pre-filed bill ahead of the 89th Legislative Session, which kicks off this January. We’ve also compiled brief summaries of each piece of legislation—if you’re curious, you’ll find the link below.
As we analyzed the bills, we identified several that deserve special attention—not necessarily because their chances of passing are high, but because they raise important policy questions worth serious consideration.
Catch all this and more in this week’s newsletter!
For Liberty, For Texas
Jeramy D. Kitchen
President, Texas Policy Research
Featured
Pre-Filed Legislation Summaries
We did it! Our team has read through all the pre-filed legislation for the upcoming 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 first floor reports once the session is underway. Don’t forget to bookmark the link—we’ll keep it updated throughout the session to ensure you stay informed.
Other Recent Content
Legislative Spotlight: Texas House Bill 901: Capping Public Sector Salaries
- Texas House Bill 901 (HB 901), introduced by Rep. Brian Harrison, seeks to cap public sector salaries at the Governor’s annual salary of $153,750. The cap would apply to state employees and local government entities, including municipalities, school districts, and special districts, starting with contracts entered into after September 1, 2025.
- The legislation aims to address concerns over excessive public sector salaries, such as superintendents earning significantly more than the Governor. In the 2023-24 school year, the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD superintendent earned $537,775. Supporters argue the bill would ensure fiscal discipline and a more equitable use of taxpayer funds.
Legislative Spotlight: Reignited Debate Over Ten Commandments
in Texas School Classrooms
- The debate over displaying the Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms is reignited with House Bills 1009 and 1348, filed by incoming State Reps. Mike Olcott and Mitch Little. The bills mandate that schools display the Ten Commandments in classrooms by the 2025-2026 school year, with displays at least 16×20 inches and text clearly legible.
- Supporters argue the displays promote moral values and honor the Ten Commandments’ influence on American law. Critics, however, warn that this could violate the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, alienate students of differing beliefs, and invite costly legal challenges.
UT System’s “Free Tuition” Program Faces Scrutiny from Texas Lawmakers
- The University of Texas (UT) System expanded its “Promise Plus” program to provide free tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students from families earning up to $100,000 annually. The program will start in fall 2025 and is funded by $35 million in campus allocations and endowment investments.
- Some Texas lawmakers have criticized the program. They raise concerns about its financial impact, potential constitutional issues, and the UT System’s authority to implement it without legislative approval.
Legislative Spotlight: Texas House Bill 530:
Texas’ Ban on Local Guaranteed Income Programs
- Texas lawmakers are considering House Bill 530 and Senate Bill 395, which would ban local governments from implementing guaranteed income programs without state approval. These programs are defined as recurring cash payments given unconditionally, without job or training requirements.
- The legislation targets programs like Harris County’s Uplift Harris, paused after a lawsuit from Attorney General Ken Paxton. Supporters argue state oversight ensures consistency and accountability, while critics say it limits local autonomy and innovation in addressing poverty.
Legislative Spotlight: Understanding the Proposed “District of Austin” Legislation
- State Representative Briscoe Cain’s proposed bill aims to reclassify Austin as the “District of Austin,” a unique municipal entity under state control. This legislation is designed to address concerns about mismanagement, crime rates, and public safety by shifting significant decision-making authority from local Austin leaders to the Texas Legislature.
- The proposed structure parallels the governance model of Washington, D.C., where the federal government has oversight. Similarly, this legislation would allow the Texas Legislature to oversee policy decisions, amend local ordinances, and repeal laws in Austin, effectively centralizing control to enhance accountability and align the city’s operations with statewide priorities.
Legislative Spotlight: The Renewed Push to Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying in Texas
- he Texas Legislature is revisiting efforts to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying. Senate Bill 239, filed by Sen. Mayes Middleton, would prohibit local governments from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists. Similar bills have been filed in the House by Reps. Terri Leo-Wilson, Ellen Troxclair, and Jared Patterson.
- Supporters argue taxpayer-funded lobbying misuses public money to oppose priorities like property tax relief and parental rights. Opponents claim lobbyists are vital for representing local interests at the state level. The proposals have reignited significant debate this session.
Legislative Countdowns
89th Legislative Session Begins: 38 Days
Bill Filing Deadline: 97 Days
89th Legislative Session Ends: 177 Days
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