Which Texas laws go into effect in September 2025?
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Legislature will subject Texans to more than 800 new laws at the start of September.
In Texas, new laws take effect Sept. 1, unless both legislative chambers passed it with a two-thirds vote. Only 257 laws took immediate effect after the 89th Legislative Session, which ended in early June.
KXAN has already covered what many of these new laws will do:
- Funding for water infrastructure projects (SB 7)
- Ban “DEI” programs, LGBTQ+ clubs in schools (SB 12)
- “Make Texas Healthy Again” with nutrition curriculum, daily exercise (SB 25)
- Expand the Texas Compassionate Use Program (HB 46)
- Create a sickle cell registry (HB 107)
- Create of the “Texas Cyber Command” (HB 150)
- Define “male” and “female” in Texas law (HB 229)
- Limit roadside pet sales (HB 2012, 2731)
- Close a loophole in sexual assault laws (HB 3073)
- Further restrict abortion (multiple bills)
Some of the new laws likely won't have a huge impact on Texans' daily lives. For example, SB 3034 renames a portion of SH-249 -- there are a few other bills with similar effects. Also, other laws will clean up discrepancies and references within Texas' Legal Code.
The list of all 836 upcoming laws runs a staggering 120 pages, which you can read below.
Other laws, such as Texas' Ten Commandments law (SB 10), are tied up in the courts. Those may have injunctions that block their implementation and enforcement.
Texas' state lawmakers are currently in their second special session of 2025, so more laws may be enacted this year. However, unless those meet the criteria to become immediately effective, they would likely go into effect in late November or by mid December.
Texas citizens should also be aware that they will be able to vote on 17 amendments to the state constitution in November.