Lawmakers have been busy this week filing bills for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, set to begin in January. Over 1,500 bills have already been submitted, and more are expected to come in before the March 14 deadline. However, history shows that only a small percentage of these bills will actually become law, with about 15% passing both chambers in the last session.
The bills that have been filed so far cover a wide range of topics, including the state’s abortion ban, border security, school funding, and minimum wage. According to Blaise Gainey, a state politics reporter, lawmakers often come prepared with lots of ideas for bills after their time off. This enthusiasm may be due to the fact that they only meet once every two years, so they want to make the most of their time in session.
Sherri Greenberg, a former Texas House representative, pointed out that some lawmakers may be filing bills early to generate press attention and show their constituents that certain issues are a priority for them. However, despite the flurry of activity, the reality is that passing a bill is no easy feat. The legislative process is designed to be rigorous, with numerous hurdles to overcome before a bill can become law.
House Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have already set aside specific bill numbers for priority legislation, indicating which issues are likely to receive more attention this session. One of the key issues expected to be prominent is Governor Greg Abbott’s push for a school voucher plan. With a renewed focus on border security and immigration under the new administration, bills related to these topics have also been filed, such as ones allowing rapid DNA tests on detained individuals and proposals for building a wall.
While some bills have already been submitted, there is still anticipation for the filing of the expected voucher bill. The timing of when certain bills are filed can indicate their importance, as priority legislation is typically filed early in the session. As the legislative session progresses, it will be interesting to see which bills gain traction and move closer to becoming law.
