Texas Legislative Session: Bill Filing Opens for Divided State
The 90th session begins January 12, with Democrats controlling the House and Republicans holding the Senate majority.
By Arjun Weber ·
The 90th session of the Texas Legislature will convene on January 12, marking the start of a new era under a Democratic governor and a divided state government. The window for filing bills opens on Monday, November 9, and remains active until March 12.
Lawmakers are expected to submit hundreds of bills on the first day, with thousands more to follow. While most proposals will not reach the governor’s desk, the initial filings will reveal early priorities. The House speaker and lieutenant governor typically assign the lowest bill numbers to their highest-priority legislation.
Democratic Rep. Senfronia Thompson announced on Friday that she has secured the votes to become the next House speaker. She is the longest-serving woman and Black legislator in any state. She will replace Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican from Lubbock, when the session begins. Meanwhile, Lt. Gov.-elect Vikki Goodwin, a Democrat, will preside over the Senate, where Republicans retain a majority.
Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa campaigned on reversing Republican education policies, specifically the school voucher program passed in 2025. That law allows families to use tax dollars for private schooling. Democrats also promised to establish stricter rules for data center development, reduce restrictions on consumable hemp products, and lower the cost of living.
Hinojosa signaled a collaborative approach by announcing a transition team composed of both Democrats and Republicans on Thursday. She stated, “I would hope that elected leaders from both parties don’t get in the way of the progress we can make together to deliver for working people.” She added that working with Republican leaders is an obligation and expressed eagerness to collaborate.
The legislative calendar is set for a 120-day session starting in January. Bill filing will continue for two months, allowing for a substantial volume of legislative proposals before committees begin their work.
This story will update as bills are filed.
