Texas Bill Roundup: What’s Really Happening In Austin

Christian Nationalism, regressive taxes, and the fight for progress.

Lawmakers in the Texas Legislature began filing bills three weeks ago. While only a fraction of these bills will get a committee hearing, and only a fraction of those will become a law, I still think there’s merit to discussing the bills our representation in Austin has filed. Even if many bills don’t become law, their filing highlights the issues lawmakers want to spotlight. It reveals trends, political strategies, and potential future debates, shaping the political conversation in Texas.

Discussing these bills isn’t just about what becomes law. It’s about understanding the priorities, processes, and possibilities that shape governance in Texas. It’s a window into the workings of democracy at the state level. Let’s get into it.

Acronym definitions:

• HB = House Bill

• HD = The House district House members serve

• SB = Senate Bill

• SD = The Senate District Senators serve

• HJR = House Joint Resolution (constitutional amendment)

Christian Nationalism.

With each session that rolls by, more and more Republicans are introducing bills to push Christianity further into our lives, whether we want it or not. Although legislators still have three months to file bills, dozens of Christian Nationalist bills have already been filed.

Mike Olcott (R-HD60) and Mitch Little (R-HD65) have introduced bills to mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in every public elementary and secondary school classroom. These bills, HB1009 and HB1348, are peak Republican hypocrisy. A large portion of the Republican Caucus has cheated on their spouses with their married coworkers, and all of them are liars. Bills like these are more about control than they are about religion.

Mayes Middleton (R-SD11) and Briscoe Cain (R-HD128) have introduced bills to place a nativity scene on the Capitol grounds during Christmas. These bills, HB1497 and SB515, will mandate they put little white baby Jesus in a manger next to a statue of an enslaver or Confederate general.

HB1425 by David Spiller (R-HD68) and SB380 by Mayes Middleton propose allowing public schools in Texas to implement a policy providing time for prayer and reading religious texts, such as the Bible, under specific conditions. However, its reliance on consent forms and legal waivers suggests an awareness of potential lawsuits, which will likely generate significant public and legal debate.

Similarly, HB717 by Jeff Leach (R-HD67) seeks to protect the right of public school employees to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty, including aloud during class time.

HB1468 by Terri Leo-Wilson (R-HD23) and SB407 by Mayes Middleton mandate that healthcare facilities must allow vaccine exemptions for reasons of conscience or religious belief without exception, even when it contradicts public health guidelines or increases risks of vaccine-preventable diseases within their facilities.

There are other Christian Nationalist bills, which we discussed previously. Still, one thing is for sure: the 89th Legislative Session will be packed full of evangelical Conservatives trying to shove religion down our throats.

Brian Harrison (R-HD10) is entirely insufferable.

Of all of the carnival barkers in Texas, Brian Harrison is probably the loudest and most obnoxious. The Texas Tribune describes him as “far-right” and an “arch-conservative,” although I think they’re being too nice. As of today, Harrison has already filed 43 bills and has promised more. Not one bill he filed aims to improve everyday Texans’ lives. All of his bills are about the culture war and inflicting harm on others.

• HB383 seeks to prohibit private employers in Texas from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for employees or others as a condition for employment, contracts, or admission—because “free market.”

• HB847 seeks to prohibit the use of state funds or taxpayer resources in Texas for gender reassignment procedures or treatments.

• HB698 proposes abolishing property taxes in Texas and replacing them with a higher sales tax. It also creates a joint interim committee to study the impacts of this significant policy shift and explore alternatives for replacing lost local tax revenue. Not long ago, it was discussed in a Senate Committee that the sales tax would need to be 22% to replace property taxes. This regressive tax method would harm those with lower incomes more.

• Similarly, HJR64 proposes a constitutional amendment to property taxes in Texas by January 1, 2031. It also outlines provisions for the state to assume financial responsibilities related to bonds secured by property tax revenues. This would fundamentally alter how Texas funds local governments and services, likely leading to skyrocketing sales taxes. This is a regressive tax proposal.

• HB526 proposes requiring all students at public institutions of higher education in Texas to complete a course in economics before earning an associate or baccalaureate degree. Okay, whatever, but here’s my concern—Brian Harrison is proposing multiple regressive tax methods. He doesn’t appear to be economically astute. Also, the coursework must focus on macroeconomics and microeconomics, which favor economic theories aligned with conservatism and free-market principles. In other words, it’s political indoctrination.

• HB855 protects Texas physicians and pharmacists from licensing repercussions when they prescribe or promote off-label uses of FDA-approved drugs—like when quacks were giving people horse-deworming medicine during COVID-19.

• HB663 seeks to restrict the development of high-speed rail projects in Texas—which is so damn stupid. The rest of the world has high-speed rail, but here in Texas, we love our oil too much. It’s ironic since it’s killing us.

So, yes, Brian Harrison is entirely insufferable. He’s not just the loudest carnival barker in Texas politics; he’s the guy selling snake oil while shouting that progress is the enemy and cheering as the tent burns down.

There have been some fantastic Democratic bills, as well.

HB1077, by newly elected Representative Lauren Simmons (D-HD146), proposes granting public employees in Texas the right to collectively bargain with their governmental employers and participate in organized labor activities. This would significantly alter the state’s current public sector labor rights restrictions.

Multiple Democrats have filed bills to legalize and decriminalize recreational use of cannabis:

• HB848 by Joe Moody (D-HD78)

• HB1208 by Jessica González (D-HD104)

• SB335 by Sarah Eckhardt (D-SD14)

HB574 by Jon Rosenthal (D-HD135) focuses on improving the forecasting and management of the Texas power grid by requiring the independent organization certified to manage the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) power region to adopt adaptive model data analytics software. This bill would improve power generation forecasting and prevent future system failures.

HB912 by Joe Moody ensures fair compensation for renewable energy owners outside ERCOT, including credit for excess electricity they generate. It promotes clean energy adoption, improves grid efficiency, and adds flexibility in payment methods, supporting equity in non-ERCOT areas.

Multiple Democrats are working to address hunger and food insecurity in Texas. HB190 by Ray Lopez (D-HD125) proposes creating a grant program to provide free or reduced-tuition pre-K classes for children as young as three. HB1289 by John Bucy (D-HD136) would implement measures to improve food assistance access at Texas colleges and universities, create hunger-free campuses, and establish grant programs to fund anti-hunger initiatives. HB231 by Christina Morales (HD145) focuses on addressing food deserts and their disproportionate impact on communities of color in Texas. The bill mandates a study to analyze these issues and provide recommendations to improve access to healthy and nutritious food.

HB257 by Donna Howard (D-HD48) aims to reform Texas abortion laws by expanding legal exceptions, protecting patients and providers, and repealing punitive measures.

There is a stark contrast between Texas Republicans and Democrats.

The difference between Texas Republicans and Democrats in this legislative session is that they have different visions for the state’s future. While Democrats focus on pragmatic policies to improve Texans’ lives, Republicans remain preoccupied with forcing their version of morality onto the state through Christian Nationalism and divisive culture war tactics.

Democratic bills address pressing issues that affect Texans daily: hunger, housing, education, healthcare, and energy stability. Meanwhile, Republicans, led by figures like Brian Harrison, are consumed by their culture war agenda. Rather than addressing Texans’ real needs, the Republican focus is on control—over religion, identity, education, and private healthcare decisions. Their agenda doesn’t solve problems; it creates them.

Democrats are fighting to make Texas a better place to live with policies aimed at equality, opportunity, and progress. They are addressing the needs of the many—those who struggle to make ends meet, those seeking access to healthcare, and those demanding fairness in education and labor.

Republicans, on the other hand, appear more concerned with forcing their worldview onto everyone else. Their priorities aren’t solving problems but stoking division and maintaining power through fear and control.

The question Texans face is this: Do we want a government that builds pathways to progress or one that builds walls around freedom? This legislative session provides a clear answer to what each party stands for and a roadmap for voters tired of being pawns in a never-ending culture war. It’s time to demand policies that serve all Texans.

• December 9: House Administration Committee meets to debate rules.

• January 14: The 89th Legislative Session begins.

• March 14: The last day Legislators can file bills.

• June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.

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