Hundreds of bills passed earlier this year, during Texas’ 89th legislative session, took effect on Monday, Sept. 1. Texas now has a whopping 835 new laws on the books, touching nearly every aspect of life — from education and healthcare to public safety, property rules and support for first responders.
With so many changes at once, Texans can expect noticeable impacts in their daily lives. In this series, The Texas Newsroom and partner stations across the state break down some of the most significant new measures — and highlight some noteworthy new laws you may not have heard of yet.
New law aimed at getting Texans healthy requires food labels, nutrition education and exercise
Some food industry experts hope the state’s law will play a role in influencing more federal regulation of food additives.
LGBTQ+ students say new Texas anti-DEI law leaves them without support
Dubbed a “parent rights” bills, Senate Bill 12 bans DEI programs in K-12 schools — and prohibits clubs LGBTQ+ students say are vital resources.
Sept. 1 unlocks first installment of $1.5 billion film incentive package in Texas
The recent increase in funding is thanks in part to stars like Matthew McConaughey and Taylor Sheridan who took the cause to the Capitol.
Starting Sept. 1, new Texas law will ban certain foreign nationals from buying land
Senate Bill 17 will bar people tied to China, Iran, North Korea or Russia from buying most Texas real estate, including farmland, homes and commercial property.
New Texas law creates peer support network to address mental health for first responders
House Bill 35 goes into effect on Sept. 1, creating a new program that aims to connect firefighters and EMS workers across Texas with peer-to-peer mental health support.
New Texas law makes it easier to bring charges against teachers, librarians
SB 412 removes an established legal defense educators could use when it comes to inappropriate material in libraries and classrooms.
New law will give farmers a heads-up on pests and diseases
HB 1592 creates a statewide alert system for risks to wildlife and crops.
Could a new Texas law make some types of anime illegal? Fans worry it’s possible under SB 20
Senate Bill 20 was designed to crack down on AI-generated child pornography in Texas. But now that it’s on the books, some are wondering: Did Texas just open the door to making anime illegal?
New Texas housing laws cut red tape, but don’t guarantee more housing
Three new Texas bills clear away zoning and land use regulations that have stood in the way of housing development. But some say they aren’t sufficient on their own to increase the state’s housing supply and lower costs.
The Texas shrimping industry is on its deathbed. Will a new law help?
Seafood wholesalers will now be required to indicate on their packaging whether the shrimp they sell to restaurants and other buyers is farm raised. But local shrimpers say more is needed to help them survive.
