Texas Legislation Moves Painfully Slow in Advancing Bills
The Texas House has been relatively slow to pass bills during the 89th Legislative Session, which began on January 14, 2025. While thousands of bills have been filed, the House has not yet passed a significant number of them, with reports indicating that zero bills had been passed by the filing deadline of March 14, 2025,
However, this does not necessarily mean no bills have advanced through the legislative process; it suggests that few, if any, have completed the full journey to passage by this date. "Advancement" in this context can refer to bills moving through committees or receiving floor votes, even if they haven’t yet been fully passed by the House.
Based on the research I have so far, here is an overview of notable bills that have been filed and are likely in the process of advancing through the Texas House as of mid-March 2025:
1. **Property Tax Relief Bills**
- Multiple bills targeting property tax reductions have been filed, reflecting a key priority for the session. For example, **House Bill 264** by Rep. Keith Bell (R-Forney) proposes dedicating half of any budget surplus to property tax relief, while **House Bill 275** by Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) aims to use surplus funds to reduce school district property tax collections. Additionally, **House Bill by Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Angleton)** seeks to eliminate property taxes entirely and study alternative taxation methods. These bills are part of a universal push against property tax rates, supported by the $20 billion surplus projected by State Comptroller Glenn Hegar, and are likely advancing through committee discussions given their prominence.
2. School Voucher Legislation
- Governor Greg Abbott has prioritized school vouchers, and House Bill 212 by Rep. Briscoe Cain establishes a reimbursement process for parents’ private school expenses. With Republicans expanding their majority and Abbott claiming sufficient votes after ousting voucher opponents in primaries, this bill is likely moving through committees, such as the House Public Education Committee, as a high-priority item.
3. Housing and Land Use Bills
House Bill 24 by Rep. Angelia Orr (R-Itasca) aims to reduce housing costs by limiting property owners’ ability to oppose nearby housing developments. This aligns with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priority of removing barriers to affordable housing and is likely advancing in committees like the House Land and Resource Management Committee, given the state’s housing shortage concerns.
4. Transgender Bathroom Restrictions
- House Bill 239, with majority support from House Republicans, mandates that bathrooms, locker rooms, and shelters in public buildings be segregated by state-defined sex, imposing fines for violations. Introduced in early March, its backing suggests it has advanced to committee hearings, possibly in the House State Affairs Committee, echoing past contentious debates.
5. Education and Curriculum Bills
- House Bill 183 by Rep. Jared Patterson (R-Frisco) would empower the State Board of Education to ban “sexually explicit” library materials, and **House Bill 196** by Rep. Cody Thane Vasut requires teaching that life begins at conception. These align with conservative priorities and are likely progressing through the House Public Education Committee.
6. Parental Rights and Healthcare Bills
-House Bill 1151 by Rep. Lacey Hull (R-Houston) clarifies that pursuing alternative psychological or medical treatments for a child isn’t neglect unless it risks harm, and House Bill 1155 (also by Hull) addresses related parental rights issues. Hull presented these bills to committees in the week of March 20, 2025, indicating they have advanced to the committee stage, likely the House Human Services or Public Health Committee.
The Texas legislative process is notoriously slow, with only about 15% of filed bills historically passing both chambers during the 140-day session (ending June 2, 2025). Bills must clear committee hearings, receive chamber approval (often requiring multiple votes), and reconcile differences between House and Senate versions before reaching the governor. The House’s pace contrasts with the Senate, which has already passed several priority bills, such as **Senate Bill 4** (increasing the homestead exemption to $140,000), unanimously approved on February 11, 2025. The House’s lag may reflect procedural hurdles or strategic delays, but the bills mentioned above are among those actively advancing through early stages based on their priority status and legislative activity reported to date.
For the most current status, the Texas Legislature Online (www.legis.state.tx.us) tracks bill progress, though specific committee advancements beyond filing and initial hearings are not comprehensively detailed.