The Texas Legislature is now in session. Below are various bills that have been proposed this legislative cycle. You can use State of Texas Who Represents Me Finder to find who your Texas Representatives and Texas Senators are. Common numbers can be found on Raise Your Voice page.
All Hyperlinked Bills will take you to the Texas Legislature Online Website to follow current bill action, text, and amendments. All bills can be found out the Texas Legislature Online website.
By clicking the buttons, you will be directed to third-party organizations that are unaffiliated with Pearland Democrats, providing access to their form letter resources if you wish to use them.
You can also send formal comments through the Texas House Web Form when bills come up for public comment.
Public Education
The basic allotment has not been raised since 2019 in the state. There are various bills currently in the legislature surrounding school funding, curriculum, and other facets.
House Bill 3-School Vouchers (ESA) for Private Schools
-(Texas Tribune Article)
-(Texas House Democratic Caucus Voucher Cost Impact Estimation Tool)
House Bill 1619-School Bus Safety Features-Crossing Arms
Note that the Change.org petition is geared towards development of a Federal Bill with similar intent.
SB 37-Creates State Office to Investigate Governance of Public Institutions of Higher Education Curriculum for Certain Degrees and Certification Programs, as well as the Powers/Duties of Faculty Council/Senate and Trainings for Governing Board.
-(Texas American Federation of Teachers Statement on SB 37)
-(Texas Tribute Article)
Senate Bill 1-General Appropriations Bill
-(Testimony from Every Texan in relation to Public Education Funding)
Senate Bill 26-Teacher Pay and Compensation
-(Testimony from Every Texan)
Senate Bill 546-School Bus Safety Features-Seat Belts
-(Local Austin News Coverage)
Senate Bill 744-School Bus Safety Features-Infraction Detection Cameras (Detect Cars that Illegally Pass School Buses During Pick Up/Drop Off)
House Bill 3225 – Municipal Public Libraries Restrictions for Book Access Based on “Sexually Explicit Content” for young adults/teens. The bill is overly broad and could lead to broad restrictions to libraries and removal of items such as 1984, The Great Gatsby, and other important literature.
–Texas Freedom to Read Project Information
Reproductive Rights
SB 31-Clarifies Exceptions to otherwise prohibited abortions based on a physician’s reasonable medical judgment.
-(Texas Tribune Article)
SB 33-Targets Austin and San Antonio, which have designated $400,000 and $500,000, respectively, to assist residents with costs associated with navigating abortion restrictions.
HB 2880-Targets online abortion pill providers and tech companies that host abortion-related websites, and make it a felony, punishable by up to life in prison, to pay or reimburse the costs of an abortion.
-(Texas Tribune Article)
Housing/Poverty
SB 38 and HB 32-Eviction from Real Property without Warning/Hearing
Why it Matters:
- More than half of households facing eviction include children, making them particularly vulnerable.
- Even dismissed eviction filings remain on tenants’ records, creating significant barriers to securing future housing or employment.
- Evictions contribute to a cycle of hardship, often resulting in job loss, mental health challenges, poorer physical health, and worsening poverty.
What HB 32 / SB 38 Proposes:
- Remove the notice-to-vacate requirement.
- Permit landlords to carry out evictions without a court hearing.
HB 476 – Pay Day Lending Reforms. This bill limits the interest rates and fees to reign in predatory lending in the state. This bill is currently stalled with no committee hearing.
-(Houston Chronicle Article)
-(2023 Texas Profile of Loan Statistics)
-(Center for Responsible Lending Study) Texans pay 50% of all pay day lending fees in the country.
Please submit public comment to Texas Legislature by April 28th.
Human Rights
HB 489, HB 1315, HB 2997, HB 3006-Pertaining to the Lack of AC in Texas State Prisons
No bills have received a hearing despite ruling that lack of AC is unconstitutional. At least 41 prisoners died of heart related or undetermined causes during the 2023 summer heat wave.
-(Texas Tribute Article)
Environment/Property Owner Rights
HB 294 – Limits HOA’s ability to Restrict Gardening and Raising of Small Livestock (Chicken, Rabbits)
HB 2269 – Removes HOA’s ability to Enforce Provisions Restricting Composting, Water Conservation, and Drought Resistant Turf Selection (Bipartisan Co-Sponsorship)