Texas · 89th Legislature (2025) · Bill
SB 965: Relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 965 is a bill introduced in the Texas Senate on January 29, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: Relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty. Primary sponsor: Tan Parker (Republican), Paul Bettencourt (Republican), Donna Campbell (Republican), Creighton, Bob Hall (Republican), Adam Hinojosa (Republican), Lois Kolkhorst (Republican), Mayes Middleton (Republican), Angela Paxton (Republican), Jeff Leach (Republican). It lists 40 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (June 20, 2025): Effective on 9/1/25.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 45
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tan Parker | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 12 |
| Paul Bettencourt | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 7 |
| Donna Campbell | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 25 |
| Creighton | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Bob Hall | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 2 |
| Adam Hinojosa | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 27 |
| Lois Kolkhorst | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 18 |
| Mayes Middleton | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 11 |
| Angela Paxton | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 8 |
| Jeff Leach | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 67 |
| Daniel Alders | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 6 |
| Greg Bonnen | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 24 |
| Brad Buckley | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 54 |
| Briscoe Cain | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 128 |
| Giovanni Capriglione | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 98 |
| Cook | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Pat Curry | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 56 |
| Mano DeAyala | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 133 |
| Mark Dorazio | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 122 |
| Flores | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Brian Harrison | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 10 |
| Cole Hefner | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 5 |
| Hillary Hickland | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 55 |
| Andy Hopper | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 64 |
| Lacey Hull | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 138 |
| Carrie Isaac | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 73 |
| Helen Kerwin | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 58 |
| King | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Marc LaHood | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 121 |
| Terri Leo-Wilson | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 23 |
| Mitch Little | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 65 |
| J.M. Lozano | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 43 |
| Don McLaughlin | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 80 |
| Will Metcalf | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 16 |
| Matt Morgan | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 26 |
| Candy Noble | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 89 |
| Mike Olcott | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 60 |
| Tom Oliverson | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 130 |
| Jared Patterson | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 106 |
| Dennis Paul | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 129 |
| Katrina Pierson | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 33 |
| Schatzline | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Matt Shaheen | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 66 |
| Shelby Slawson | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 59 |
| David Spiller | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 68 |
| Valoree Swanson | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 150 |
| Ellen Troxclair | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 19 |
| Cody Vasut | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 25 |
| Wes Virdell | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 53 |
| Trey Wharton | Co-sponsor | Republican | House | 12 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Effective on 9/1/25
- Signed by the Governor
- Sent to the Governor
- Signed in the House
- Signed in the Senate
- Reported enrolled
- House passage reported
- Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Record vote
- Passed
- Read 3rd time
- Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history