A flurry of new laws will go into effect in Texas in the coming weeks.
More than 800 laws from this year’s legislative session already took effect on Sept. 1. Dozens more are set to become law in December and January, bringing changes to health, education and taxes.
Here’s a look at some of the notable new laws.
Sex and health
Abortion pills. A new law allows regular citizens to file civil lawsuits against anyone who ships abortion pills into Texas or distributes the pills within the state. If a pregnant woman or one of her family members successfully sues under the bill, they would receive a payout of at least $100,000. If any other person successfully sues, they would be required to donate the bulk of the payout to a charity. Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Allen, who authored the bill, said it protects unborn babies and mothers, but opponents say the law creates a “bounty hunter” system. The law goes into effect Dec. 4.
Transgender bathroom bill. Texas’ Senate Bill 8 prohibits transgender people from using a bathroom or locker room in schools and public offices that does not align with their sex at birth. Any government agency or public institution, such as a school or university, that violates the policy would be fined $25,000 and $125,000 for a second offense. Supporters say the law is needed to protect the privacy and safety of women and girls. Opponents point out that multiple studies have found no evidence that transgender people pose a safety risk in bathrooms. The bill, which is the most punitive bathroom law in the country, goes into effect Dec. 4.
Ivermectin. Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug commonly used for livestock that is gaining popularity among humans, will be available from Texas pharmacies without a prescription. Supporters say the law advances medical freedom, but opponents, including the Texas Medical Association, say the drug is too dangerous for widespread use without a doctor’s supervision. The law goes into effect Dec. 4.
Education
Standardized tests. Under House Bill 8, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, better known as STAAR, will be replaced by three smaller exams given throughout the year. The legislation came after a monthslong stalemate between the House and Senate over how to replace the STAAR, which is widely unpopular with parents, teachers and students because of grading issues, transparency problems and other concerns. Most of the law’s provisions go into effect Dec. 4, and students will begin taking the new tests during the 2027-2028 school year.
Technology
Children and apps. The Texas App Store Accountability Act requires app stores to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent before minors can download or purchase an app. The bill drew bipartisan support, but app store operators Google and Apple opposed the law, arguing that it undermines privacy. Operators will have a little more time to implement this law, which goes into effect Jan. 1.
Artificial intelligence. Lawmakers passed the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, which establishes a comprehensive framework for the ethical development, deployment and use of AI in Texas. Among the law’s prohibitions are the development of AI that seeks to incite self-harm, violence or criminal activity, produce or distribute child pornography and use biometric data to identify individuals without consent. Penalties range from $10,000 to $200,000. The law, which also creates a “regulatory sandbox,” for testing innovative AI systems, goes into effect Jan. 1.
Housing and taxes
Evictions. Tenants across Texas could face expedited evictions as part of a new law billed as a solution to the issue of “squatting” — or occupying a property without legal permission. The law expedites evictions and, according to some advocates, limits tenant due process because a judge can rule in the landlord’s favor without a hearing. It takes effect Jan. 1.
Business taxes. House Bill 9 allows business owners to exempt up to $125,000 in computers, furniture and other company equipment from their taxes, up from the current $2,500 in exemptions. The tax cut will cost the state $700 million in general revenue in the current budget cycle and save businesses an average of $500 per site. The measure, which goes into effect Jan. 1, was approved by voters in November.
Border security. A new law allows private property owners along Texas’ border with Mexico to deduct from their taxable property values any increase that comes as a result of border security infrastructure — most notably the border wall under construction along the southern border — installed by the government on their property. The measure was approved by voters in November and goes into effect Jan. 1.
Texas politics
Quorum breaks. Aimed at preventing future quorum breaks, House Bill 18 increases fines for lawmakers who break quorum and prevents them from fundraising while doing so. They also risk losing seniority and committee posts. The law reduces a member’s seniority in the Legislature by two years for each calendar day. The law comes after Democrats fled the state this summer to break quorum and prevent a vote on the rare mid-decade redistricting. It takes effect Dec. 4.
Congressional map. Texas’ new congressional map, pushed by President Donald Trump and passed after two special sessions, is supposed to go into effect Dec. 4. The map could shift five House districts from Democrats to Republicans, giving the GOP a better chance of retaining control of Congress after the midterms. But a federal panel issued a preliminary injunction against Texas’ revised congressional map, saying it was likely a racial gerrymander. The U.S. Supreme Court is now reviewing the map.
