Lone Star Ledge Report: Getting “Our House” in Order
The 89th Texas Legislative Session is off to a dynamic start, with the Senate making swift moves while the House is still getting set up. Here’s a look at what’s happening.
School Choice Bill Passes Senate Amid Heated Debate
Last week, we saw the first major legislative action of the session. Senate Bill 2, a school choice measure establishing an education savings account (ESA) program, passed the Senate floor late Wednesday, February 5th. This bill, a priority for Governor Abbott, allows families to use state funds for private school tuition and other educational expenses.
The Bottom Line:
The vote was 19 to 12, mostly along party lines.
Senator Nichols was the only Republican to oppose the measure.
The Senate passed the bill before House committees were even set, further emphasizing the Senate’s fast pace versus the House’s slow start.
With school choice being a central focus for Governor Abbott, this bill’s journey through the House will be closely watched. The House has historically been less receptive to school voucher programs, meaning this bill’s progress is far from over.
Thousands of Bills in the Pipeline
Despite the session’s rapid start in the Senate, thousands of bills are still under review in the Legislative Council, awaiting filing. The March 14 deadline means a flood of new legislation is expected in the coming weeks.
The Bottom Line:
AI-powered drafting has made filing legislation faster and more efficient, raising the potential for a record number of bills.
The Lieutenant Governor has only released the first half of his priorities, meaning more key issues are yet to be formally introduced.
With the legislative landscape still unfolding, expect intense debate and jockeying for priority bills in the coming weeks.
Waiting for House Committee Assignments
The Texas House will announce its committee assignments any day now—a crucial step in determining how legislation moves forward. Historically, House committees are finalized by late January or early February, but delays this session are already feeding into the Senate vs. House dynamic.
The Bottom Line
No major legislation can progress in the House until committees are set.
The Lieutenant Governor often touts the Senate’s efficiency and criticizes the House’s slower pace, a narrative that is already forming this session.
With committee assignments still pending, the House remains in a holding pattern, while the Senate charges ahead.
What’s Next?
As the 89th Texas Legislative Session unfolds, several key questions remain:
Will the House slow down or block the school choice bill?
How many more bills will be introduced, and which will gain traction?
Will the House committees be set soon, or will the delay deepen the Senate vs. House divide?
With Governor Abbott’s school choice push, a growing list of pending bills, and inter-chamber tensions, the next few weeks will be critical in shaping Texas’ legislative direction.
Stay tuned as we track the developments in this fast-moving session.
Did You Know?
The Texas Legislature only meets once every two years for 140 days in what’s known as a biennial session—one of the few states that works this way!
This schedule means lawmakers must work quickly to pass key legislation, leading to a fast-paced, high-stakes environment where thousands of bills are introduced in a short period. The Lieutenant Governor (who presides over the Senate) and the Speaker of the House hold significant power in determining which bills move forward.
With so much happening in such a short window, delays—like the House committee assignments taking longer than usual—can have major ripple effects on what gets passed!
Stay informed as the session unfolds! 🇨🇱