Property Tax Credits, Abortion Policies, and Housing: Summarizing the Actions Taken by the Texas Legislature in 2025

Property Tax Credits, Abortion Policies, and Housing: Summarizing the Actions Taken by the Texas Legislature in 2025

Texas wraps up its 2025 legislative session, with around 3,400 bills and resolutions passed after a tumultuous 140 days in the Capitol. The journey was filled with heated debates, protests, and negotiations between lawmakers. Despite the chaos, some crucial pieces of legislation made it through both chambers and are now headed to Governor Greg Abbott's desk for final approval. Here are some of the top bills that have passed both chambers and are on course to become law:

Public School Vouchers: A Game Changer

After a long battle, Governor Abbott finally celebrated the passing of the school voucher bill, which he first tried to push through in 2023. This measure allows parents to apply for an education savings account and use state tax dollars on expenses for homeschool or private school, including religious schools [1]. The voucher-like program, which won't be in effect until the 2026-27 school year, will provide parents with approximately $10,000, with students with disabilities potentially receiving up to $30,000[5].

This school voucher plan is designed to prioritize students with disabilities and those from low-income families, making it a significant victory for Lieutenant Governor, Dan Patrick, who has been advocating for such programs.

Property Tax Relief

Reducing property taxes was one of the main priorities during the legislative session. Two bills, Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23, were passed, which are projected to cost the state an estimated $10 billion if enacted [2].

Governor Abbott pointed out the affordability crisis many Texans face, and these bills aim to offer relief by increasing the homestead exemption. Through SB 4, the exemption for all homeowners is raised from $100,000 to $140,000. Meanwhile, SB 23 gives those over 65 years old or with a disability an additional exemption of up to $60,000, an increase from $10,000[2][3].

In simpler terms, this means that the average homeowner in Texas will see a reduction in their school taxes by roughly 48-50%.

School Funding Boost Clears the Legislature

House Bill 2 has been agreed upon by the House and Senate, resulting in an $8.5 billion boost to Texas public schools for the upcoming year. The measure includes raises for school teachers, additional funds for teaching kids with disabilities, and increased funding for school safety [1].

Nearly half of the $8.5 billion will go towards raises for experienced teachers, with those in smaller districts receiving up to an $8,000 salary increase [1]. The bill also includes funding for full-day pre-K, as well as $430 million that will be used to enhance school safety, from installing perimeter security fencing to purchasing window security film that provides resistance to forced entry [1].

THC Ban alongside Medical Cannabis Expansion

The Senate passed Senate Bill 3, a proposal aimed at banning consumable products containing THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis. If it becomes law, THC-infused products like gummies, drinks, vapes, and smokable hemp flower would be illegal in the state.

Despite the THC ban, House Bill 46 is aimed at expanding the state's Compassionate Use Program to include patients suffering from chronic pain, along with those already eligible, such as patients with cancer or PTSD [1].

HB 46 would increase the number of licensed dispensaries in Texas from three to 15, broadening access and participation [1].

Clarification on Abortion Laws

As in past years, GOP lawmakers prioritized clarifying Texas' abortion laws. The Life of the Mother Act (SB 31) was crafted with input from both physicians and anti-abortion groups, making language about exceptions consistent across Texas' various overlapping abortion laws [1].

Under this bill, doctors will now be able to make decisions based on a patient's overall health, without worrying about the imminent nature of the danger to the mother's life or major bodily function [1].

Displaying the Ten Commandments in Public Schools

Senate Bill 10 requires the display of the Ten Commandments in every public-school classroom in the state, using the King James Bible translation featured on a monument outside the Texas State Capitol [1].

The bill is facing legal challenges, as a coalition of civil liberties groups, including the ACLU of Texas, plans to file a lawsuit arguing that it violates the constitutional separation of church and state [1].

Tightening Legal Definition of Biological Sex

Texas lawmakers debated several bills focused on restricting the rights of LGBTQ people, specifically targeting transgender individuals. House Bill 229 defines "man" and "woman" in state law according to a person's reproductive capabilities and requires state agencies to recognize only these two sexes [1].

Opponents argue that the proposal ignores intersex people and does not distinguish between "sex" and "gender," potentially overlooking trans individuals who identify as a different gender from their sex assigned at birth [1].

Overhaul of Texas Lottery Oversight

Senate Bill 3070 proposes to transfer oversight of the Texas Lottery from the Texas Lottery Commission to the state's Department of Licensing and Regulation. The bill also aims to increase accountability and ban lottery courier services [1].

If the bill is signed into law, the state's Sunset Advisory Commission will conduct a review in August 2027 to determine whether the lottery should continue to exist. If the commission recommends shutting it down, the Texas Lottery would cease operations later that year [1].

[1] Source: Senate Bill Analysis, House Bill Analysis and Texas Newsroom[2] Source: Associated Press[3] Source: Texas Tribune[4] Source: KTSM News[5] Source: The Texas Tribune (Targeted Enrichment Insight)

1. The school voucher bill, representing a significant victory for Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, passed both chambers and is moving towards Governor Greg Abbott's desk, aiming to prioritize education for students with disabilities and those from low-income families [1].
2. Despite the ongoing debates and protests in the Texas legislative session, two bills, Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23, were passed to provide property tax relief for homeowners, with the estimated cost to the state being $10 billion [2].
3. The passing of House Bill 2 resulted in an $8.5 billion boost to Texas public schools, with funds allocated for teacher raises, teaching kids with disabilities, and enhanced school safety measures [1].
4. The Senate Bill 3 proposal in Texas, aimed at banning THC-infused consumable products, is facing legal challenges due to arguments regarding the constitutional separation of church and state [1].
5. The Texas legislature debated several bills focused on restricting the rights of LGBTQ people, including House Bill 229 that defines "man" and "woman" in state law according to a person's reproductive capabilities, potentially overlooking intersex and trans individuals [1].

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