Gavel to Gavel 89th Legislative Session - February 21, 2025

This week, the Texas Senate passed substantial bail reforms: Senate Bill 9, which prohibits bail for certain defendants charged with a felony; Senate Bill 40, banning taxpayer money donations by political subdivisions to nonprofit organizations that pay bail; and Senate Joint Resolution 1, proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail for an illegal alien charged with a felony.  All passed the Senate on Wednesday, February 19th, after being quickly voted through Senate Criminal Justice last week. The three bills, a package of legislation by Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston), has been received by the Texas House. You can read a statement from Lieutenant Governor Patrick on the passage of these bills here.
 
Lt. Governor Patrick is also leading the charge for accountability in the Texas Lottery following a 2024 business scheme involving a $25 million purchase of tickets to claim the winning numbers. The Lt. Governor is calling for a ban on lottery couriers, or third-party service apps that allow for tickets to be purchased virtually, accounting for millions in sales. The Senate Committee on Finance also raised concerns about this practice in the budget hearing with Texas Lottery commissioners and staff.
 
Senate Finance Committee article workgroups were assigned and have begun working on marking up their respective budget articles. You can view the workgroups here. Also, the House Appropriations chairman distributed subcommittee assignments to his members on Wednesday. You can view them here.
 
On Thursday, SB 26 by Senator Creighton, related to teacher pay raises, passed out of the Senate Education K-16 Committee, one of Governor Abbott’s emergency items.  The legislation is likely to be on the Senate Floor next week.
 
Additionally, House Committee on Public Education Chairman Brad Buckley (R-Salado) filed House Bill 3, the House's version of an education savings account plan. The Senate voucher bill, Senate Bill 2, is awaiting assignment in the House. Chairman Bonnen also filed House Bill 2, increasing per-student funding for public schools by $220 each.
 
You can view the House Committee Schedule for the 89th Legislative Session here. 
 
The House stands adjourned until 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 25th, and the Senate until Tuesday at 11:00 AM.