Legislation Committee report

The Texas Legislature has begun committee hearings for numerous bills. Here are some key updates on what's happening this month!

Legislative Updates.

• On March 3, 2025, the Senate State Affairs committee heard two anti-LGBTQIA+ bills:

  • SB 1073, which would let attorneys refuse to serve LGBTQIA+ clients under the guise of "religious freedom"; and

  • SB 810, which allows teachers to deadname and misgender trans students with no consequences.

  • ACLU  LGBTQIA+ policy & advocacy strategist, Ash Hall, testified against both bills.

• Rep. Swanson's bathroom bill HB 239 currently has 70+ co-authors. The ACLU and other LGBTQIA organizations are working tirelessly with allies in the legislature to stop this bill.

Local Updates:

• On February 28th the Texas A&M University Board of Reagents passed a resolution banning all drag performances on all 11 campuses. The resolution passed, says the board recognizes the need for universities to foster a sense of community and belonging among students but adds that drag shows are "inconsistent with [the system's] mission and core values, including the value of respect for others."

I have posted the link at https://www.facebook.com/groups/CTSDems,  for the Texas Tribune article on this matter.

Texas Tribune Article https://www.facebook.com/texastribune 

A bathroom bill is back – threatening to ban trans-Texans from using restrooms that correspond to their gender identity.

There are more than 70 co-authors on this new bill which is yet another thinly veiled attempt at making trans peoples' daily lives as difficult as possible.

Tuesday Is The Day: Show Up And Speak Out Against Vouchers!

If you've been following the battle over school vouchers in Texas, Tuesday, March 11, is your chance to make your voice heard. The Public Education Committee, chaired by Brad Buckley (R-HD54), will hold a hearing on HB3 to establish a school voucher program.

Public testimony will be allowed, but there's a catch: Testimony is limited to two minutes per person. This isn't just a formality; this is your opportunity to tell lawmakers directly why diverting public school funds to private institutions is terrible. And given that Buckley has already been booed twice this month for pushing vouchers, it's clear Texans aren't on board.

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• Reminder, March 14: The last day Legislators can file bills.

• June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.

 

 

National Updates:

• US Senate blocks Republican trans sports ban!!

Senate Democrats on Monday blocked a GOP-led bill that would ban transgender athletes from women's and girls' sports at federally funded schools and educational institutions.

The bill's failure to advance highlights the limits of Republicans' narrow margins in Congress, despite control of both chambers. The party still needs support from Democrats in the Senate for most legislation to clear a 60-vote threshold. The party line vote was 51-45.

The Senate vote comes as GOP-led states across the country continue to put forward anti-trans measures, including bills intended to keep transgender students from playing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity.

The GOP-led House passed their own version of the legislation in January by a vote 218-206 with two Democrats voting in favor and one Democrat voting "present."

 

A federal judge has extended a nationwide block on President Donald Trump's executive orders halting federal funding for providers of gender-affirming health care for transgender people under age 19

 

With many things going on all at once on every level of government, it's easy for us to miss things! Let us know if anything is happening in your neighborhood that we should be aware of!