Texas · Senate Bill 965 · 89th Legislature, Regular Session

Relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty.

SB 965 Sponsored by Tan Parker Became law

  1. Introduced Jan 29, 2025
  2. In committee Feb 13, 2025
  3. Passed the Senate Apr 1, 2025
  4. Passed the House May 23, 2025
  5. To the governor May 27, 2025
  6. Became law Jun 20, 2025

Every action

60 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 52 earlier steps
  1. SenateReceived by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. SenateFiled
  3. SenateRead first time
  4. CommitteeReferred to State Affairs · Senate State Affairs
  5. CommitteeScheduled for public hearing on . . . · Senate State Affairs
  6. CommitteeConsidered in public hearing · Senate State Affairs
  7. CommitteeTestimony taken in committee · Senate State Affairs
  8. CommitteeLeft pending in committee · Senate State Affairs
  9. CommitteeConsidered in public hearing · Senate State Affairs
  10. CommitteeVote taken in committee · Senate State Affairs
  11. CommitteeReported favorably w/o amendments · Senate State Affairs
  12. SenateRecommended for local & uncontested calendar
  13. SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
  14. SenateCo-author authorized
  15. SenatePlaced on intent calendar
  16. SenateCo-author authorized
  17. SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
  18. SenateRecord vote
  19. SenateRead 2nd time
  20. SenateAmendment(s) offered (FA1 Menéndez)
  21. SenateAmendment fails of adoption
  22. SenateRecord vote
  23. SenatePassed to engrossment
  24. SenateRecord vote
  25. SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
  26. SenateRecord vote
  27. SenateRead 3rd time
  28. SenatePassed
  29. SenateRecord vote
  30. SenateReported engrossed
  31. HouseReceived from the Senate
  32. HouseRead first time
  33. CommitteeReferred to State Affairs · House State Affairs
  34. CommitteeScheduled for public hearing on . . . · House State Affairs
  35. CommitteeConsidered in public hearing · House State Affairs
  36. CommitteeTestimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee · House State Affairs
  37. CommitteeLeft pending in committee · House State Affairs
  38. CommitteeConsidered in formal meeting · House State Affairs
  39. CommitteeReported favorably w/o amendment(s) · House State Affairs
  40. HouseComte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  41. HouseCommittee report distributed
  42. HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
  43. HouseConsidered in Calendars
  44. HousePlaced on General State Calendar
  45. HouseRead 2nd time
  46. HousePoint of order withdrawn (Rule 4, Section 32(c)(1))
  47. HousePassed to 3rd reading
  48. HouseRecord vote (RV#3261)
  49. HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  50. HouseRead 3rd time
  51. HousePassed
  52. HouseRecord vote (RV#3339)
  1. HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  2. SenateHouse passage reported
  3. SenateReported enrolled
  4. SenateSigned in the Senate
  5. HouseSigned in the House
  6. GovernorSent to the Governor
  7. GovernorSigned by the Governor
  8. GovernorEffective on 9/1/25

Roll calls

9 recorded votes: 7 on the floor, 2 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

SB 965 , Relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty. — The motion prevailed · Full Senate

Passed 20–11
Apr 1, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 20 No 11
Democrats: 0 yes, 11 no Republicans: 20 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 20

No · 11

SB 965 , Relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty. — The motion prevailed · Full Senate

Passed 20–11
Apr 1, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 20 No 11
Democrats: 0 yes, 11 no Republicans: 20 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 20

No · 11

The amendment to SB 965 was read and failed of adoption · Full Senate

Failed 11–20
Apr 1, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 11 No 20
Democrats: 11 yes, 0 no Republicans: 0 yes, 20 no
How each member voted

Yes · 11

No · 20

SB 965 was passed to engrossment · Full Senate

Passed 20–11
Apr 1, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 20 No 11
Democrats: 0 yes, 11 no Republicans: 20 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 20

No · 11

SB 965 was passed to third reading · Full House

Passed 84–52
May 22, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 84 No 52 Not voting 14
Democrats: 3 yes, 52 no Republicans: 81 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 84

No · 52

Not voting · 2

Absent · 7

Excused · 5

SB 965 was passed · Full House

Passed 86–48
May 23, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 86 No 48 Not voting 16
Democrats: 5 yes, 48 no Republicans: 81 yes, 0 no
How each member voted

Yes · 86

No · 48

Not voting · 2

Absent · 7

Excused · 7

Committee and other votes

DateWhereQuestionResult
Mar 17, 2025 Senate State Affairs State Affairs: Reported favorably w/o amendments Passed 11–0
Apr 1, 2025 Full Senate The bill was read third time and was passed
Members

Yes · 20

No · 11

 Passed 20–11
May 12, 2025 House State Affairs State Affairs: Reported favorably w/o amendment(s) Passed 10–5

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 40 cosponsors: 40 Republicans.

All 40 cosponsors

From Texas's official records (ftp.legis.state.tx.us), checked Nov 1, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.