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Numerous new laws in Texas are set to come into effect in December and January, introducing significant changes across various sectors, including education, law enforcement, and taxation.
Over 800 laws from this year’s regular legislative session took effect on September 1, with additional measures from that session, as well as the second special session, soon to follow. Some laws required voter approval, such as the expanded tax exemption for business inventory.
One noteworthy piece of legislation, part of the Texas GOP’s initiative to redraw congressional maps and secure five additional seats for former President Donald Trump, is scheduled to take effect on December 4. This measure took two special sessions to pass, following a walkout by Texas House Democrats in protest that halted legislative proceedings. The focus now shifts to the ongoing legal battle surrounding the new congressional lines, which has escalated to the U.S. Supreme Court after a federal court ruled against Texas earlier this month. The Supreme Court has temporarily reinstated the new map while it deliberates its final ruling.
A recent lawsuit has also paused the constitutional amendment that would allow Senate Bill 5 to become effective on December 1.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick prioritized this legislation during the regular session, aiming to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. This institute will focus on studying dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions as the state’s population ages more rapidly than the national average.
In early November, voters approved a constitutional amendment allocating $3 billion in surplus state revenue for the institute. However, the lawsuit claims that the voting machines used in this election malfunctioned, a tactic previously employed by right-wing activists to obstruct constitutional amendments. Patrick is urging the court to expedite its resolution so that this law can take effect promptly.
Meanwhile, here are some other significant measures to monitor:
Laws Taking Effect in December
House Bill 7 will empower private citizens to sue anyone involved in the manufacture or distribution of abortion medications in Texas; however, individuals who take the drugs cannot be sued. If the plaintiff is connected to the fetus, they may receive at least $100,000 in damages. If they are not related, they can claim only 10% of the damages, with the remainder going to charity. Supporters argue that this law protects unborn children and addresses existing loopholes, while critics contend it turns individuals into “bounty hunters” and attempts to extend the state’s abortion restrictions beyond Texas borders. This law will take effect on December 4.
House Bill 8 will replace the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness with three shorter exams administered throughout the academic year. This law aims to eliminate the standardized testing criticized for placing excessive pressure on students and requiring substantial classroom preparation time. Most provisions of this law will come into effect on December 4, with students expected to undertake the new assessments in the upcoming school year.
House Bill 18 will impose stricter penalties on lawmakers who disrupt quorum to delay legislative proceedings. This includes increased fines, restrictions on fundraising during such breaks, and the potential loss of seniority and committee positions. This law was passed during the second special session, which followed a mass exodus of Texas House Democrats in response to the Republican congressional redistricting effort. The law will take effect on December 4.
House Bill 25 will allow individuals to purchase ivermectin, typically used for treating livestock parasites, without a prescription. Popularized during the pandemic as a potential COVID-19 treatment, it remains unapproved for such use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Supporters of the law advocate for medical freedom, while opponents express concerns about potential misuse and safety issues. It will take effect on December 4.
House Bill 26 will enable Harris County sheriffs and constables to enter into contracts with homeowners’ associations, school districts, and municipal utility districts to provide additional policing services without needing approval from the county’s commissioners court. Proponents argue that this measure safeguards the widely used deputy contract program, while some local officials, including county commissioners, warn it could disrupt the county’s budgeting process. The law will take effect on December 4.
Senate Bill 8 from the second special session will limit the access of transgender individuals to certain private spaces in public buildings—such as government offices, public schools, universities, and correctional facilities—based on their sex assigned at birth. It will also prohibit those assigned male at birth from entering women’s domestic violence shelters unless they are minors and the child of a woman receiving services. Institutions violating this law could face fines starting at $25,000 for the first offense and escalating to $125,000 for subsequent violations. Supporters claim it upholds women’s privacy and safety, while critics argue it endangers transgender individuals and those falsely accused. This law is set to take effect on December 4, marking a culmination of a decade-long effort by Texas Republicans to impose such restrictions.
Senate Bill 11 will provide protections for trafficking victims, shielding them from prosecution for specific crimes committed under the coercion or manipulation of their traffickers. Although a similar bill was introduced during the regular session, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed it, citing its broad scope. This new measure, effective December 4, excludes those who have committed serious offenses, such as murder, trafficking, sexual assault, or burglary, from receiving these protections.
Laws Taking Effect in January
House Bill 9 will exempt up to $125,000 of business inventory from taxation by various entities, including counties, cities, and school districts. Currently, inventory valued below $2,500 is not taxed. Advocates of the law view it as a victory for Texas businesses, and it will come into effect on January 1 following voter approval of a related constitutional amendment. However, the legislative budget board has projected that local governments could face a revenue shortfall of $442 million in fiscal year 2027 if entities do not raise tax rates.
Senate Bill 8 from the regular session will mandate sheriffs in counties operating jails to formally collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and engage in specific immigration enforcement activities under the 287(g) program. Additionally, it will enable them to apply for grants ranging from $80,000 to $140,000, depending on the county’s population, to facilitate their participation. Supporters assert that the law is focused on public safety, while critics warn it may lead to increased racial profiling impacting both immigrants and citizens. This law will take effect on January 1 and applies to most Texas counties.
Senate Bill 38 will expedite the eviction process for squatters. While targeting individuals unlawfully occupying properties, housing advocates express concern that it diminishes protections for tenants. The law will effectively prevent the governor and the state supreme court from altering eviction processes during emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. A portion of this law took effect in September, with the remainder set to activate on January 1.
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