Texas Catholic Voice May 27, 2025

As the 89th Texas legislative session marches toward its final date, our policy work continues in remaining critical areas. The House and Senate spent the Memorial Day weekend advancing several bills of interest. We continue to work to monitor our bills of interest and any amendments that arise.  

Immigration: SB 8

On Saturday, SB 8 was laid out on the House floor and three amendments to it were adopted. Rep. David Spiller filed an amendment, which was adopted, that created a warrant model system. This amendment requires sheriffs in counties that operate a jail to request and enter into a warrant service model agreement with a federal immigration enforcement agency rather than requiring counties to do full enforcement agreements. It also provides grants and a reimbursement program for the counties involved.   

Rep. A.J. Louderback, a former sheriff who represents Victoria, was very helpful in working on this amendment. Rep. Ramon Romero from Fort Worth was also successful in getting two amendments adopted which created more transparency in the grant program and the content of these agreements. Thus, this bill will only apply to jails and inmates with active ICE warrants.   

With these amendments adopted, the TCCB and several immigrant rights groups removed opposition to the bill, as these amendments fit our criteria for immigration enforcement to be targeted and proportional. Please note that removing opposition does not mean we support the bill. However, we are grateful Rep. Spiller accepted amendments that allow for a more targeted approach to immigration enforcement. 

Trey’s Law

We celebrated the unanimous passage of Trey’s Law (SB 835) Sunday morning with 144 yeas and 0 nay votes. This bill prohibits the use of nondisclosure agreements in cases involving sexual abuse. Sen. Angela Paxton was the author of the bill, and the House sponsor was Rep. Jeff Leach. We are grateful for their leadership on this important issue.  

Funding for public schools in Texas, HB 2 

The Senate passed HB 2, which would bring Texas public schools an $8.5 billion increase in funding, the largest public school funding increase in Texas history. This represents a $1,600 per pupil increase over the biennium – bringing the state’s investment in public school students to over $17,000 per student. We applaud the unanimous passage of HB 2 because it supports Texas public schools and their students and teachers with an impactful funding increase.  

Pro-life issues

We are grateful the House passed SB 1233, which provides life-affirming care to mothers and their families. This bill requires that perinatal palliative care information be provided to a woman whose preborn child is diagnosed with a life-threatening disability. This bill was authored by Sen. Kelly Hancock, and the House sponsor was Rep. Valoree Swanson.  

We also thank Sen. Campbell and Rep. Nobel for their work on SB 33, which prohibits governmental entities from providing funding and support for abortion travel.  

Housing bill updates 

The two remaining housing affordability bills supported by the TCCB, SB 15 and SB 2477, are scheduled to be heard on the House floor Tuesday, May 27. We support SB 15 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt and Rep. Gary Gates because it increases homeownership opportunities, lowers housing costs, and reduces homelessness. SB 2477, also by Sen. Bettencourt, will streamline the conversion of empty or underutilized commercial properties into residential or mixed-use development, including allowing residential in office zones without zoning changes. The TCCB supports this bill to increase housing affordability. 

Upcoming deadlines

Time is running out for the 89th legislative session. While we have seen great progress, we are hopeful that the House will get to SB 571 before the deadline because it is critical for strengthening child protections in schools.  

The deadlines for this week are:  

• Tuesday, May 27 will be the last day for the House to consider second readings of SBs and SJRs on the daily or supplemental calendar.  

• Wednesday, May 28 will be the last day for the House to consider local and consent SBs on the second and third reading. Additionally, all SBs and SJRs on the third reading that are on the supplemental calendar.