EXPLAINER: 2023 Texas legislature passes new bills
The year 2023 proved to be a significant one for the state of Texas as lawmakers worked to address a wide range of issues through the legislative process. With numerous bills introduced and debated, the Texas Legislature passed several pieces of legislation. This article recaps some of the key bills that were enacted during the 2023 legislative session, covering areas such as education, healthcare and more.
HB 1: Allocating the Budget
Lawmakers were constitutionally obligated to pass the state’s spending plan, which exceeded $300 billion and dictated the distribution of a $32.7 billion surplus in Texas. The legislation they ultimately approved allocated funds for tax cuts, mental health access, state parks, and various other initiatives. Governor Abbott signed the budget without making significant alterations.
HB 12: Extending postpartum Medicare
A bill that extends Medicare coverage for people one year after childbirth. This excludes those that have abortions.
SB 14: Banning care for transgender kids
A bill to block the use of puberty blockers or hormone treatments for transgender children. This was previously a directive by Gov. Abbott in now signed into law. Read more here.
SB 12: Regulating sexually explicit shows for minors
Originally meant to target children from attending drag shows this bill’s language was changed last minute to exclude mention of drag shows before being sent to the governor’s desk.
SB 15:Banning transgender athletes from college sports
A bill to prevent transgender women from competing in college sports. The legislation only applies to intercollegiate sports between schools, not intramural sports. The bill specifies that a woman would be allowed to join a men’s team if the school does not have a women’s team for said sport.
SB 18: Tenure at Texas public universities
Originally an attempt to ban tenure from universities now solidifies it with new regulations. Read more here.
SB 17: Banning DEI programs from public universities
A bill banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs from public universities. Read more here.
HB 1595: Creating an endowment for universities
This bill would allow voters in November to vote on and create an endowment fund of $3 billion accessible to various Texas universities including the University of Houston.
The next Texas legislative session is scheduled for Jan. 15 2025.
