Texas Lawmakers Conclude Session with $338B Budget, Bail Reform Stall, and Hemp Ban Debate

The 140th day of the Texas legislative session concluded this Monday as 181 lawmakers, along with hundreds of advocates, lobbyists, and citizens, celebrated hard-won victories and lamented painful defeats. One key moment came when Rep. Tony Tinderholt, one of the most outspoken House conservatives, announced his retirement on the House floor.

“While more Texas GOP priorities passed this session than the previous ones, there were still missed opportunities and so much more left to do. Just like both sides have said every session,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott walked away from the 89th Legislature with more than expected, securing the $1 billion voucher program he championed. However, he faced setbacks too—most notably, the failure to pass a proposal denying bail to repeat offenders accused of violent crimes, despite some progress on bail reform. Gov. Abbott now has until June 22 to veto any legislation passed in the final ten days of the session and is currently facing mounting pressure to reject the proposed ban on hemp products in Texas. 

The session began on January 14th under the leadership of newly elected Speaker Dustin Burrows, whose election initially brought uncertainty. Reflecting on the session Monday, he said, “We started this session as a House with a bit of uncertainty, and I believe that we ended in a much more unified and solid place.”

On Sine Die, lawmakers gathered with their families, signed posters, and honored staff and clerks with warm speeches. The House recognized standout freshmen, senators wore lapel roses, and Rep. Charles Perry was named Senate president pro tempore. A portrait of Rep. Senfronia Thompson, the longest-serving House member, was also unveiled. As the day came to a close, legislators attended celebratory dinners and prayer events ahead of the 18-month election cycle, which begins in 20 days when campaign fundraising officially opens, as first reported by The Dallas Morning News.

Over the course of the session, lawmakers passed a $338 billion budget, sent a property tax relief proposal to voters, and approved raises for teachers, prison staff, and community care workers. They addressed campus protests, LGBTQ student rights, and school library policies, and enacted legislation on AI-related child pornography, ICE enforcement, and nondisclosure agreements in sexual assault cases. Though several major proposals failed, such as eliminating STAAR testing and banning abortion pills, others, including permitting abortions when a mother’s life is at risk and requiring biological sex markers in state records, made it through. Out of 8,719 bills filed, 1,212 have already been sent to Gov. Abbott.