SB 2986 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to use by a religious organization of public school or institution of higher education facilities.

SB 2986 allows public school districts and institutions of higher education in Texas to permit religious organizations to use their facilities for worship, services, or assemblies under specific conditions. It requires that such use must not interfere with the institution's educational mission, the religious group must pay fair market value for facilities (or have it waived), and the group must cover liability for damages. The bill also prohibits state agencies or school districts from penalizing schools for allowing this use or denying funding based on such decisions. Schools and colleges retain the right to choose not to allow religious groups to use their facilities. The law becomes effective September 1, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 4 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
The bill text was reformatted from an 'Engrossed' version to an 'Enrolled' version, which is the final version ready for signature. The substantive policy content regarding religious organization use of school and university facilities remains unchanged, though the effective date was updated to September 1, 2025, and the contract renewal clause was clarified.
Scope change
No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; the policy content is identical to the previous version, only the formatting and final certification details were updated.
TIMELINE

The effective date was changed to September 1, 2025, in the final enrolled version.

REQUIREMENT

The contract renewal clause was clarified to specify that changes apply to contracts renewed, modified, or extended on or after the effective date.

TECHNICAL

Added certification signatures and vote counts from the Senate and House, confirming the bill passed both chambers and was approved by the Governor.

Removed draft formatting markers and placeholder text from the Engrossed version.

Floor votes · Senate May 30, 2025 · House May 28, 2025

How they voted

255
Passed
Total votes 30
May 30, 2025
D Democratic10
5 Yea 5 Nay
50% Nay
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
58
Key actions
19
Committee
10
Amendments
9
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 31, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 30, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 30, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 30, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (25-5)
senate
May 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 27, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 2, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
lower
May 2, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 1, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education K-16
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors