September 3, 2025

Big Changes Coming to Texas: Over 800 New Laws

News Summary

Texas is preparing to implement over 800 new laws that will bring significant changes to various sectors, including education, healthcare, and crime. The legislation, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, includes initiatives such as a massive budget for education and health services, a new school voucher program, increased funding for educator pay, and expansions in healthcare access. These changes are set to reshape the Lone Star State in profound ways, prompting discussions about their impacts on daily life and governance.

Texas Enacts Over 800 New Laws Effective September 1, 2025

Texas is set to implement more than 800 new laws beginning September 1, 2025, following the signature of 1,155 bills by Governor Greg Abbott during the recent legislative session. These new regulations range across various sectors, including education, healthcare, crime, and more, significantly reshaping the legal landscape of the state.

Immediate and Future Implementation

While over 200 laws have already taken effect, including a ban on cellphones in schools, clarification of the abortion ban, property tax cuts, and increased oversight of the energy grid, many of the upcoming laws will not activate until 2026 or require voter approval in November. This includes stricter bail policies and a proposed $3 billion fund dedicated to dementia research.

Major Legislative Changes Effective September 1

Among the most noteworthy legislation set to take effect are:

Senate Bill 1: Establishes a two-year budget of $338 billion, with more than 70% allocated for education and health services.
Senate Bill 2: Introduces a school voucher program, granting parents access to public tax dollars for private school tuition, allowing for over $10,000 per child (up to $30,000 for students with disabilities).
House Bill 2: Designates approximately $8.5 billion for public schools, with over $4 billion specifically aimed at enhancing educator pay.
Senate Bill 10: Requires the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, currently facing legal challenges.
Senate Bill 12: Extends the prohibition of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies in K-12 schools and prohibits teaching material about sexual orientation and gender identity.
Senate Bill 13: Empowers parents and school boards to control library reading materials, which may lead to increased censorship.
Senate Bill 37: Provides public university regents with more powers in administrative hiring and creates oversight measures.
House Bill 33: Mandates that law enforcement agencies develop crisis response strategies and training for active shooter incidents in schools.
Senate Bill 7: Establishes funding frameworks to address the state’s water crisis and may lead to constitutional amendments.
Senate Bill 15: Permits the construction of smaller single-family homes (down to 3,000 square feet) to encourage affordable housing.
Senate Bill 17: Prohibits land ownership by entities from countries deemed a national security concern, including China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran.
Senate Bill 33: Bars local governments from using funds to help residents obtain out-of-state abortions.
House Bill 46: Expands the medical marijuana program to encompass chronic pain patients and establishes the allowance of inhaled products.
House Bill 229: Defines “man” and “woman” based on biological gender, impacting legal records and statistics.
Senate Bill 835 (Trey’s Law): Voids nondisclosure agreements in cases of sexual assault and trafficking.

Broad Legislative Impact

The legislative changes also encompass significant reforms in transportation, education policies, crime and safety, healthcare, business regulations, and election procedures. Notably, crime and safety reforms include heightened penalties for human trafficking and enhanced protections for vulnerable populations, alongside new training requirements for law enforcement regarding crisis responses in schools.

Unaddressed Bills

In addition to the new laws, a total of 140 bills received no action from the governor, including 34 that took effect immediately. These developments highlight the breadth of legislative concern during the session, with an overarching focus seen across various critical sectors of public life.

Conclusion

As the effective date of September 1, 2025 approaches, the implications of these new laws will ripple across Texas, significantly influencing education, healthcare, and safety protocols, as well as properties and local governance. With ongoing discussions about future laws and amendments, residents of Texas will need to stay informed about how this extensive legislative shift will affect their lives and communities.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

Author: STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN

The GEORGETOWN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREgeorgetown.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Georgetown, Williamson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Red Poppy Festival, Georgetown Swirl, and Christmas Stroll. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Georgetown Association, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as local wineries and historic downtown shops. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

STAFF HERE GEORGETOWN

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