As the 89th Texas Legislature approaches its June 2 adjournment, lawmakers have advanced significant legislation across various policy areas, including energy infrastructure, education, and social issues.
Lawmakers have passed measures to enhance the state's electric grid reliability. New legislation mandates regular inspections and maintenance of transmission infrastructure, aiming to prevent widespread outages. Additionally, the Public Utility Commission has been granted expanded authority to plan and prioritize new transmission lines, addressing previous transmission shortages that led to increased consumer costs. Efforts are also underway to integrate battery storage into the energy market, with projections of reaching 14 gigawatts of capacity by the end of 2025.
Education and Cultural Policy
In the education sector, Senate Bill 10 has been approved, requiring public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. Supporters argue this reflects the historical role of Christianity in the U.S., while critics raise concerns about the separation of church and state.
Additionally, Senate Bill 37 has been passed, granting university regents, appointed by the governor, increased authority over curricula and administrative appointments. This move aims to align higher education more closely with state leadership priorities.
Social Policy and Technology
The legislature has advanced Senate Bill 2420, which would require app store providers like Apple and Google to implement age verification measures. This bill mandates that users under 18 obtain parental consent to download apps or make in-app purchases, reflecting growing concerns over child online safety.
Consumer Protection
In response to reports of fraudulent practices in the residential solar industry, the legislature passed the Residential Solar Retailer Regulatory Act. This legislation requires state licensing and background checks for solar salespeople, mandates insurance for companies, and empowers the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to cancel deceptive contracts and issue refunds.
Cultural and Historical Preservation
The Texas House approved Senate Bill 3059, transferring oversight of the historic Alamo site from the General Land Office to a newly formed Alamo Commission. However, the transfer is delayed until the completion of a $550 million renovation project, to avoid disrupting ongoing efforts.
As the session concludes, these legislative actions reflect Texas lawmakers' focus on infrastructure resilience, educational governance, social policy, and consumer protection.
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