2025 Texas Criminal Justice Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Sept. 3, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
Sept. 3, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
Aug. 28, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
Aug. 28, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
Aug. 28, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (82 - 48)
Aug. 28, 2025 TX HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (82 - 48)
Aug. 27, 2025 TX HB 25 Authorizes Ivermectin to be Sold Over-the-Counter Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
Aug. 27, 2025 TX HB 25 Authorizes Ivermectin to be Sold Over-the-Counter Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
Aug. 26, 2025 TX SB 11 (2nd Special Session) Establishes Legal Protections to Victims of Human Trafficking Who Were Forced to Commit Crimes Bill Passed - House (137 - 1)
Aug. 26, 2025 TX SB 11 (2nd Special Session) Establishes Legal Protections to Victims of Human Trafficking Who Were Forced to Commit Crimes Bill Passed - House (137 - 1)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 14 (Special Session) Prohibits the Release of Police Personnel Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 10 (Special Session) Establishes Protections for Human Trafficking Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
Aug. 6, 2025 TX SB 15 (Special Session) Prohibits Title Theft and Deed Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
Aug. 1, 2025 TX SB 11 (Special Session) Authorizes the State Attorney General the Power to Prosecute Election Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
June 1, 2025 TX SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
June 1, 2025 TX SB 2878 Establishes New Procedures, Requirements, and Penalties Relating to Texas' Judicial Branch Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 2)
June 1, 2025 TX SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 39)
May 29, 2025 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
May 29, 2025 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
May 29, 2025 TX SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
May 28, 2025 TX HB 449 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Producing or Distributing Sexually Explicit Deep Fake Media Concurrence Vote Passed - House (134 - 1)
May 28, 2025 TX SB 1596 Repeals Ban on Short-Barrel Firearms Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
May 25, 2025 TX HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
May 25, 2025 TX HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
May 24, 2025 TX SB 36 Establishes a Texas Homeland Security Division Bill Passed - House (83 - 36)
May 24, 2025 TX SB 2111 Amends Legal Proceedings and Representation for Impoverished Defendants Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
May 21, 2025 TX SB 648 Amends Recording Requirements for Certain Instruments Concerning Real Property Bill Passed - House (140 - 1)
May 20, 2025 TX SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Bill Passed - House (113 - 30)
May 20, 2025 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - House (118 - 25)
May 20, 2025 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - House (118 - 25)
May 19, 2025 TX SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - House (133 - 8)
May 19, 2025 TX SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - House (133 - 8)
May 16, 2025 TX HB 3006 Requires All State Prisons to Install Air Conditioning (AC) Units Bill Passed - House (79 - 39)
May 16, 2025 TX HB 3006 Requires All State Prisons to Install Air Conditioning (AC) Units Bill Passed - House (79 - 39)
May 13, 2025 TX HB 305 Amends the Time Period for Conducting Pretrial Hearings After a Criminal Defendant Has Been Restored to Competency Bill Passed - House (136 - 4)
May 13, 2025 TX HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - House (115 - 23)
May 13, 2025 TX HB 305 Amends the Time Period for Conducting Pretrial Hearings After a Criminal Defendant Has Been Restored to Competency Bill Passed - House (136 - 4)
May 13, 2025 TX HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - House (115 - 23)
May 6, 2025 TX HB 3120 Defines Certain Duties of the Owner or Operator of a Residential Child Detention Facility Bill Passed - House (143 - 2)
May 2, 2025 TX SB 412 Rescinds Exemptions for Educational, Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Professionals Who Commit Offenses Related to Material or Conduct that is Obscene or Harmful to Children Bill Passed - House (92 - 39)
May 1, 2025 TX SB 494 Establishes a Theft of Petroleum Products Task Force Bill Passed - House (137 - 6)
April 30, 2025 TX HB 366 Requires Disclosures on Certain Political Advertising that Contains Altered Media and Creates a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
April 28, 2025 TX SB 2111 Amends Legal Proceedings and Representation for Impoverished Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
April 23, 2025 TX HB 1644 Authorizes Individuals to Possess and Purchase Fentanyl Test Strips Bill Passed - House (147 - 0)
April 16, 2025 TX SB 1596 Repeals Ban on Short-Barrel Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
April 10, 2025 TX SB 36 Establishes a Texas Homeland Security Division Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 26, 2025 TX SB 990 Authorizes the Death Penalty for Individuals Convicted of Killing Children Aged 10-15 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 412 Rescinds Exemptions for Educational, Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Professionals Who Commit Offenses Related to Material or Conduct that is Obscene or Harmful to Children Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
Feb. 20, 2025 TX SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 20, 2025 TX SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 19, 2025 TX SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
Feb. 19, 2025 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
Feb. 19, 2025 TX SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
Date No. Title Outcome
9/03 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
9/03 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 8)
8/28 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
8/28 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
8/28 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (82 - 48)
8/28 HB 7 Increases Restrictions on Abortion Pills Bill Passed - House (82 - 48)
8/27 HB 25 Authorizes Ivermectin to be Sold Over-the-Counter Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
8/27 HB 25 Authorizes Ivermectin to be Sold Over-the-Counter Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
8/26 SB 11 (2nd Special Session) Establishes Legal Protections to Victims of Human Trafficking Who Were Forced to Commit Crimes Bill Passed - House (137 - 1)
8/26 SB 11 (2nd Special Session) Establishes Legal Protections to Victims of Human Trafficking Who Were Forced to Commit Crimes Bill Passed - House (137 - 1)
8/12 SB 14 (Special Session) Prohibits the Release of Police Personnel Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 10)
8/12 SB 10 (Special Session) Establishes Protections for Human Trafficking Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 0)
8/06 SB 15 (Special Session) Prohibits Title Theft and Deed Fraud Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 0)
8/01 SB 11 (Special Session) Authorizes the State Attorney General the Power to Prosecute Election Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
6/01 SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
6/01 SB 2878 Establishes New Procedures, Requirements, and Penalties Relating to Texas' Judicial Branch Conference Report Adopted - House (136 - 2)
6/01 SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 39)
5/29 SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
5/29 SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
5/29 SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
5/28 HB 449 Establishes Criminal Penalties for Producing or Distributing Sexually Explicit Deep Fake Media Concurrence Vote Passed - House (134 - 1)
5/28 SB 1596 Repeals Ban on Short-Barrel Firearms Bill Passed - House (87 - 52)
5/25 HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
5/25 HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
5/24 SB 36 Establishes a Texas Homeland Security Division Bill Passed - House (83 - 36)
5/24 SB 2111 Amends Legal Proceedings and Representation for Impoverished Defendants Bill Passed - House (87 - 47)
5/21 SB 648 Amends Recording Requirements for Certain Instruments Concerning Real Property Bill Passed - House (140 - 1)
5/20 SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Bill Passed - House (113 - 30)
5/20 SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - House (118 - 25)
5/20 SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - House (118 - 25)
5/19 SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - House (133 - 8)
5/19 SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - House (133 - 8)
5/16 HB 3006 Requires All State Prisons to Install Air Conditioning (AC) Units Bill Passed - House (79 - 39)
5/16 HB 3006 Requires All State Prisons to Install Air Conditioning (AC) Units Bill Passed - House (79 - 39)
5/13 HB 305 Amends the Time Period for Conducting Pretrial Hearings After a Criminal Defendant Has Been Restored to Competency Bill Passed - House (136 - 4)
5/13 HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - House (115 - 23)
5/13 HB 305 Amends the Time Period for Conducting Pretrial Hearings After a Criminal Defendant Has Been Restored to Competency Bill Passed - House (136 - 4)
5/13 HB 413 Prohibits the Detainment of Pre-Trial Defendants for Longer Than Their Potential Punishment in Texas Bill Passed - House (115 - 23)
5/06 HB 3120 Defines Certain Duties of the Owner or Operator of a Residential Child Detention Facility Bill Passed - House (143 - 2)
5/02 SB 412 Rescinds Exemptions for Educational, Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Professionals Who Commit Offenses Related to Material or Conduct that is Obscene or Harmful to Children Bill Passed - House (92 - 39)
5/01 SB 494 Establishes a Theft of Petroleum Products Task Force Bill Passed - House (137 - 6)
4/30 HB 366 Requires Disclosures on Certain Political Advertising that Contains Altered Media and Creates a Criminal Offense Bill Passed - House (102 - 40)
4/28 SB 2111 Amends Legal Proceedings and Representation for Impoverished Defendants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
4/23 HB 1644 Authorizes Individuals to Possess and Purchase Fentanyl Test Strips Bill Passed - House (147 - 0)
4/16 SB 1596 Repeals Ban on Short-Barrel Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
4/10 SB 36 Establishes a Texas Homeland Security Division Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/26 SB 990 Authorizes the Death Penalty for Individuals Convicted of Killing Children Aged 10-15 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
3/19 SB 412 Rescinds Exemptions for Educational, Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Professionals Who Commit Offenses Related to Material or Conduct that is Obscene or Harmful to Children Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
2/20 SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/20 SJR 5 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Denial of Bail Under Limited Circumstances Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/19 SB 40 Amends Bail Bonds and Prohibits the Use of Public Tax Funds to Pay Bail Bonds Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
2/19 SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
2/19 SB 9 Amends Bail Programs and the Release of Defendants to Require Notification of Victims Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)

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