Accountability, Action, Results: The 89th Legislative Session Recap

8 REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

1._Border Enforcement

Victories passed

  • SB 8  by Sen. Schwertner/Rep Spiller (Isaac Co-sponsor) – mandates that all Texas sheriffs operating jails, or contracting with private jail operators, enter into immigration enforcement agreements, also known as 287g agreements, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill also establishes a grant program, administered by the Texas Comptroller, to help cover implementation costs not reimbursed by the federal government, offering between $80,000 and $140,000, depending on county population. Annual compliance reports are required, and the Attorney General may initiate enforcement actions against sheriffs who fail to comply.

  • SB 36 by Sen Parker/ Rep Hefner –  creates a Homeland Security Division within the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to lead coordinated efforts across state, local, federal, and private entities on border security and homeland threats. The division is responsible for planning, intelligence collection, risk assessment, and interagency coordination. It also formalizes the state’s surveillance operations, such as Operation Drawbridge, and centralizes the transition of related functions from other agencies.

  • HB 247 by Rep. Guillen/Sen. Middleton (Isaac Co-author) –  Exempts the appraised value of real properties located in a county that borders the US-Mexico border that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements. 

  • SJR 5 by Huffman/Smithee (Isaac Co-sponsor) – proposes a constitutional amendment to allow judges to deny bail for certain serious felony offenses—like murder, aggravated assault, or trafficking—unless prosecutors prove that releasing the defendant wouldn't pose a public safety risk or risk of flight. It aims to tighten pretrial release rules by requiring clear and convincing evidence before granting bail and is set to go before Texas voters in November 2025.

  • 6 Billion Dollars have been allocated for the defense of our Southern border in the 2025-2027 Biennial Budget for the State of Texas, SB 1 by Huffman

Failed to pass

  • SJR 1 by Huffman (Isaac Co-sponsor) – would have amended the Texas Constitution to allow courts to deny bail to illegal aliens accused of certain serious felonies, including murder, sexual assault, and drug trafficking. The proposal would have required a judicial determination of probable cause and voter approval on the November 2025 ballot.

  • HB 3371 by Rep. Metcalf/Sen. Kolkhorst (Isaac Co-Author) – Authorize the governor to submit to the U.S. Congress an application for reimbursement requesting payment for expenses incurred by the state during a period specified in the application for activities related to securing the U.S. southern international border. It also allows the Attorney General to file suit if the Federal Government does not fulfill the payment.

  • Senate Bill 324 would have expanded that requirement to many other businesses. American jobs and wages serve as the No. 1 incentives for aliens to unlawfully enter or remain in the United States. Title 8 U.S. Code § 1324a expressly prohibits the employment of unauthorized aliens, making E-Verify a necessary instrument for states to comply with federal law.

  • HB 4816 by Rep. Guillen – Relates to the punishment for criminal conduct involving the trafficking of persons, creates a Human Trafficking Prevention Council and a task force to enforce higher penalties.

  • HB 1983 by Rep. Hickland – Raises to a felony the offense of child endangerment involving smuggling across an international border for a person who is a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a child, and knowingly pays an individual or an organization to transport the child across an international border.

2. Secure Texas Elections

Victories passed

  • SB 2753 by Sen. Hall/Rep. Isaac – What began as a single day event involving paper and pencil has evolved into an extended event involving early voting, voting by mail, and in person voting with each method having its own set of processes and procedures. Our quest for convenience in the voting process has caused us to lose trust in the system. To restore trust in elections, the legislation simplifies the voting process and increases election integrity by creating a single, uninterrupted voting period with standardized procedures and consistent equipment. This structure also enhances voter privacy and ensures ballot secrecy, moving beyond the flawed redaction policy currently in place.

  • SB 688 by Sen. Hughes (Isaac Co-sponsor) – Sets a specific date for the presidential electors of the State of Texas to meet, putting the state on the same page with Federal procedure.

  • HB 5115 by Rep Shaheen (Isaac Co-author) – Raises the penalty for a person who knowingly or intentionally makes any effort to take certain actions, including counting invalid votes or altering the report to include invalid votes, or refuses to count valid votes. 

  • HB 1661 by Rep Vasut/Sen Bettencourt – This bill improves election administration by requiring each precinct to have at least 25% more ballots than the turnout from the last similar election. It also prevents precincts from receiving more ballots than there are registered voters, unless they’re part of a countywide polling place program. Election officials who knowingly fail to order enough ballots or delay in restocking them can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.

  • SB 1470 Sen Hughes/Rep Shaheen – requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to share data on individuals who apply for a driver's license or ID card in another state. This empowers the Secretary of State to cross-reference and maintain the voter registration rolls, flagging those who move, lose eligibility, or might be registered in multiple states, to uphold election integrity.

  • SB 1862 Sen Hughes/Rep Hickland – strengthens election integrity by ensuring that individuals who register to vote in Texas after moving from another state provide their previous address on the application. The local voter registrar must then notify the voter registrar in the former state to help those states purge outdated records. 

  • SB 2166 Sen Parker/Rep Shaheen – strengthens election security by requiring new testing procedures for voting tabulation machines before and after elections. It also mandates that test materials be sealed and only unsealed after the official canvass, increasing transparency and public trust.

  • SJR 37 Sen Birdwell/Noble – Proposing a constitutional amendment adding a non-citizen to the list of ineligible voters in the State of Texas. This proposition will be on the November ballot. 

  • SB 985 Sen Bettencourt/Hayes – Allows counties combine small voting precincts after redistricting to save costs, while still meeting federal voting access rules. 

  • HB 640 by Bumgarner (Isaac Joint Author) – Clarifies that during election periods, a “regular business day” refers to any day a local government office would ordinarily be open. This ensures consistency across political subdivisions when it comes to election timelines and office availability. The bill also affirms that these entities may close on holidays like Good Friday, as school districts are already permitted to do.

Failed to pass

  • SB 16 by Sen. Hughes/Rep. Isaac – is the election priority bill of the Session. It would require a person to submit proof of citizenship to register to vote. 

  • HB 1477 by Rep. Swanson (Isaac Co-Author) – Increased to a class A misdemeanor for the offense of a presiding election judge who knowingly fails to complete the return in time for the ballots to be delivered by the prescribed 24-hour deadline after the polls close after every election.

  • HB 4962 by Rep. Pierson (Isaac Co-Author) – Requires a person running for office to disclose their citizenship status. 

  • HB 1794 by Rep. Tepper (Isaac Co-Author) – which allows for the carrying of concealed handguns by concealed license holders at polling locations on election day or early voting. 

  • HB 1128 by Rep. Isaac – Allows for election judges to carry concealed handguns at polling places, to increase the safety of the judges and the people who go to vote.


3. Stop Sexualizing Texas Kids

Victories passed

  • SB 13 by Sen. Paxton/Rep. Buckley: No Harmful Books or Materials in School Libraries – Strengthens parental oversight in public school libraries, and requires school districts to establish local school library advisory councils—composed mainly of parents not employed by the district—to provide recommendations on library material standards and access policies. The bill mandates that school boards (or these advisory councils, if established by parent petition) have ultimate authority over library content, including the approval, removal, or retention of books based on complaints and community values. 

  • SB 20 by Sen. Flores/ Rep. Capriglione – Makes it a third-degree felony offense for possession, promotion or production of obscene material using AI depicting minors. 

  • HB 3225 by Rep. Alders/ Sen. Hughes (Isaac Co-author) – Restricts the access of minors to sexually explicit materials in public libraries. 

  • SB 412 Sen Middleton/Patterson – Tightens protections for children by narrowing who can invoke an affirmative defense when charged with distributing obscene or harmful materials to minors. It limits eligibility to judicial or law enforcement officers acting in the line of duty—removing broader exemptions previously granted for educational, medical, psychological, or legislative reasons.

  • SB 2420 Sen Paxton/Fairly: The App Store Accountability Act – Requires app storefronts like Apple’s and Google’s to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for every download or in-app purchase by minors. It also mandates transparent age ratings, secure data handling, and enforcement under Texas’s deceptive trade practices law, aiming to give parents real control over their children's digital content.

  • HB 100 Rep Leo Wilson/Sen Middleton (Isaac Co-author) – Restricts the purchase, adoption, or use of instructional materials in public schools that have been formally rejected by the State Board of Education. It ensures that both state-funded and locally funded materials meet state-approved standards for appropriateness and curriculum alignment, taking effect for the 2025–2026 school year

  • HB 4623 Rep Little/Sen Paxton – Holds public schools and their employees legally accountable for sexual misconduct or failing to report suspected child abuse, removing certain immunities. It allows victims to seek damages up to $500,000 and aims to improve student safety by ensuring mandatory reporting and accountability.

  • SB 12 Sen Creighton/Rep Leach – Increases parental control over school curriculum and restricts discussions on topics related to gender identity and sexual orientation in Texas public schools. It also bans the use of public funds for diversity training and prohibits student clubs based on sexual orientation or gender identity without parental consent.

Failed to pass

  • HB 1158 by Rep. Hull (Isaac Co-author) – Required parental approval for students to be part of Sex Education courses in Schools. 

  • SB 1396 by Sen. Hall – Would prohibit Texas to adopt or use national sex education standards in public schools. 


4. No Democratic Chairs  

  • The Texas House did ban Democrat committee chairs during the 89th Legislative Session, but House leadership allowed them to retain vice-chair roles—with expanded powers, such as new budgets, calling witnesses, and influencing legislation. Despite this, we still delivered major conservative wins, as highlighted in this legislative recap. While not every outcome was ideal, the progress we made is significant. It’s important to remember that Democrats still hold over 41% of the House, and with only 88 Republicans, we need 100 members present for a quorum. Even with these challenges, we advanced strong conservative policies that continue to make Texas a beacon of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

5. Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying

  • On the call for the first called special session of the 89th Legislature, Governor Abbott added the banning of taxpayer-funded lobbying as a priority issue. I will fight to ban taxpayer-funded lobbying during the special session. 

6. Secure the Electric Grid
Victories passed

  • SB 2148 Sen Hall/Rep Slawson – enhances the reliability of Texas's electricity supply chain by mandating biennial simulated or tabletop exercises for electric generation and transmission providers. These exercises, coordinated by the Public Utility Commission and ERCOT, aim to prepare for and mitigate potential physical attacks on critical facilities such as transmission substations and control centers.

  • HB 14 Rep Harris/Sen Schwertner (Isaac Co-author) – Establishes the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office to promote advanced nuclear reactor development and creates a fund and workforce program to support these efforts.

  • HB 3809 Rep Darby/Sen Schwertner – Establishes guidelines and procedures for the removal of battery energy storage facilities in Texas, ensuring they are safely and properly decommissioned when no longer in use.

  • SB 1535 Sen Zaffirini/Rep Button – Directs the Texas Workforce Commission to develop an advanced nuclear energy workforce program aimed at training and preparing workers for careers in the growing nuclear energy sector.

  • SB 1762 Sen Blanco/Rep Darby  – Gives the Railroad Commission the authority to designate responsible operators to manage orphaned oil and gas wells, helping to address environmental and safety concerns from abandoned sites.

  • HB 3824 Rep King/Sen Schwertner – Sets fire safety standards and requires emergency operation plans for battery energy storage facilities, including administrative penalties for facilities that fail to comply, enhancing public safety.

  • HB 3228 Rep Lambert/Sen Perry – Requires that lease agreements for wind and solar power projects include certain provisions to clarify operational responsibilities and ensure transparency between lessors and operators.

  • SB 6 Sen King/Rep King – Addresses the planning, interconnection, operation, and cost allocation for electric loads served by water supply or sewer service corporations, aiming to clarify how these utilities generate and provide electric power.

  • SB 1789 Sen Schwertner/Rep McQueeney – Enhances electric service quality and reliability standards and authorizes administrative penalties for providers that fail to meet these standards, promoting better consumer protection.

  • SB 231 Sen King/Rep Guillen – Allows for the temporary deployment of emergency electric energy facilities during power shortages or other crises, helping to ensure reliable electricity supply in urgent situations.

  • SB 75 Sen Hall/Rep Wilson – Focuses on improving the resilience of the electric grid, particularly in certain municipalities, to better withstand extreme weather events and other disruptions.

  • SB 688 by Hughes (Isaac Joint Sponsor) – Changes the date the presidential electors meet to be the first Tuesday rather than the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December.

Failed to pass

  • SB 715 (Sparks) / HB 3356 (Patterson) – Ensures all generators are subject to the same reliability standards, leveling the playing field for grid reliability.

  • HB 4817 (Virdell) – Requires ERCOT generators to meet a minimum reliability standard or face price caps, a reform that rewards affordable and reliable power generators. This reform will strengthen grid stability and drive down costs by aligning compensation with performance.

  • SB 388 (King) – Sets a legislative target for 50% of new generation installed to be dispatchable.

  •  (SB 1692 – Hall, SB 383 – Middleton, HB 3568 – Harris Davila, SB 714 - Sparks) Limiting Grid & National Security Risks: Caps renewable market share, blocks offshore wind interconnection, and bans equipment from foreign-controlled entities that could threaten Texas grid security.


7. Texas is not for Sale

Victories passed

  • SB 17 by Sen. Kolkhorst/ Rep. Heffner (Isaac Co-Sponsor) – This bill restricts the CCP and other foreign adversaries from purchasing land in the State of Texas.

  • HB 119 by Gerdes (Isaac Co-author) - This bill requires a person to register as a lobbyist with the Texas Ethics Commission if the person communicated directly with one or more members of the legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative action on behalf of a foreign adversary, a foreign adversary client, or a foreign adversary political party. Prohibits a person registered as such a lobbyist from receiving compensation from the entity on whose behalf the registrant communicated directly with the legislative or executive branch to influence legislation or administrative action.


8. End Federal Overreach

Victories passed

  • SB 21 by Schwertner (Isaac Co-sponsor) – Creates a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve—an inflation-resistant, decentralized store of value that strengthens the state's fiscal independence.

  • SB 888 by Kolkhorst – Authorizes the Attorney General to defend a district or county attorney in federal court if the cause of action relates to how they implemented or enforced state law in their official capacity

  • HB 1056 by Dorazio (Isaac Co-author) – Allows the use of gold & silver as real currency backed by the state, leveraging the Texas Bullion Depository to empower individuals to protect their wealth from inflation and instability

  • SB 1271 by Hancock – Creates a process for the state and the U.S. military to share legal authority over military bases if the military requests it, allowing state law to be enforced on certain matters.

  • HB 4076 Rep Leach/Sen Kolkhorst (Isaac Co-author) – Prohibits discrimination against organ transplant recipients based on their COVID-19 vaccination status, ensuring equal treatment regardless of whether they are vaccinated.

  • HB 1586 Rep Hull/Sen Kolkhorst (Isaac Co-author) – Creates an exemption from required immunizations for school enrollment, allowing certain students to attend school without mandatory vaccines.

  • HB 4535 Rep McQueeney/Sen Hancock (Isaac Co-author) – Modifies COVID-19 vaccine administration requirements, including who can administer the vaccines and under what circumstances.

  • HB 3441 Rep Luther/Sen Hall (Isaac Co-author) – Addresses the liability of vaccine manufacturers that promote vaccines later found to be harmful, potentially holding them accountable for damages.

  • SB 25 Sen Kolkhorst/Rep Hull (Isaac Co-sponsor)– The “MAHA” bill of the session; Establishes health and nutrition standards aimed at promoting healthy living, including food labeling and education requirements across schools and healthcare professionals, with penalties for noncompliance.

  • SB 379 Sen Middleton/Rep Gerdes – Prohibits the use of supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits to purchase sweetened drinks and candy, targeting improved nutrition among beneficiaries.

  • SB 1362 Sen Hughes/Hefner (Isaac Co-sponsor) – Bans the recognition, service, and enforcement of extreme risk protective orders in Texas and creates a criminal offense for violations.

  • HB 2963 Rep Capriglione/Sen Hall – Relates to the diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of certain digital electronic equipment, aiming to clarify responsibilities and standards for these processes.

OTHER VICTORIES:


PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Eliminating property taxes—so that Texans can finally own their homes outright—remains my top priority. My very first bill filed was to fully eliminate M&O taxes, the largest portion of your property tax bill. This session, the state budget (Senate Bill 1) dedicated $51 billion to local property tax compression—an $11.2 billion increase from the previous biennium, representing 15% of the entire budget. We delivered meaningful relief, but we must finish the job and end the property tax system once and for all.

If we truly want to solve this problem, we must focus on local government spending, where most property tax burdens originate. That’s why in the upcoming special session, I am filing the Truth in Taxation Act—a bill that forces full transparency and public accountability when local governments try to raise your property taxes. Under this act, if a city, county, or taxing district wants to raise more revenue than the previous year, they must notify taxpayers, hold a public hearing, and get voter approval before the higher rate takes effect.

Texans deserve honesty in taxation and the final say when their property tax bills go up. This bill gives them both.

  • SB 4 by Bettencourt and SB 23 by Bettencourt: Property Tax Cuts (Isaac Co-authored both) – Raises the homestead exemption to $140,000, and up to $200,000 for senior and disabled homeowners. The average homeowner will save roughly $500, and seniors could see nearly $1,000 in savings.

  • HB 30 by Rep. Troxclair (Isaac Co-author) – allows cities and counties affected by a declared disaster to temporarily adjust their voter-approval tax rate to help cover the costs of emergency response and recovery. It adds a “disaster relief rate” to account for specific expenses like debris removal, emergency services, and sheltering. To prevent misuse, the bill limits the use of this higher rate to a maximum of three years or until property values recover to pre-disaster levels, whichever comes first. Taxing units must also identify the specific disaster declaration used and may not reuse the same declaration across non-consecutive years. These safeguards ensure transparency and prevent long-term tax increases unrelated to actual disaster recovery.

  • SB 843 by Sen Kolkhorst – requires the Texas Education Agency to create a centralized, publicly accessible database tracking school district bond elections, maintenance tax rates, and capital project expenditures. The database must include bond language, election outcomes, tax rate impacts, and how funds are spent, offering a new level of transparency in local school finance decisions.

  • HB 9 by Meyer: Personal Property Tax Exemption Increase (Isaac Co-author) – exempts up to $125,000 of business personal property from property taxes, cutting taxes for small businesses and reducing reporting burdens.

  • HB 3575 by Noble (Isaac Joint Author) – Clarifies where the county appraisal board members have to file ethics reports

2nd AMENDMENT

Victories passed

Representative Isaac remains committed to defending the Second Amendment rights outlined in our Bill of Rights. Because of this, she was awarded the inaugural “Snorting Bull” Freedom Fighter Award by the Texas State Rifle Association. 

  • SB 706 by Schwertner/Isaac – is a common-sense legislation, ensuring that law-abiding visitors with valid out-of-state handgun licenses will not fear being criminalized and may carry in Texas under the same standards as residents. It upholds Second Amendment rights, promotes reciprocity, enhances public safety, and boosts our economy. By passing SB 706, the Texas House reinforces our state’s leadership in protecting constitutional freedoms while welcoming visitors who share our values. Sends a clear message: Texas stands for liberty, fairness, and safety.

  • SB 1362 by Hughes/Hefner (Isaac Co-sponsor) – bans “red flag” gun confiscation orders in Texas unless someone is criminally charged or under a family violence protective order. It also blocks enforcement of similar federal or out-of-state orders within Texas.

  • SB 1596 by Hagenbuch/Hayes (Isaac Co-sponsor) – removes short‑barrel firearms (like certain pistols or rifles with stabilizing braces) from Texas’s list of prohibited weapons under state law, effectively decriminalizing their possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale, while still subject to federal regulation

  • SB 1718 Sparks/Virdell – includes the National Rifle Association's (NRA) Annual Meetings and Exhibits or another annual event of the NRA in the list of events eligible for funding under the major events reimbursement program. 

  • HB 1403 by Harris/Middleton (Isaac Co-author) – limits how much Texas foster agencies can inquire about firearms in agency foster homes: they can only ask whether any firearms are present, not what type. Any information they receive  must stay confidential, with violators facing up to $5,000 in fines. 

  • HB 3053 by Virdell/Hall – prohibits municipalities and counties from running or funding firearm buyback programs—including purchases intended to remove guns from circulation, reduce civilian-owned firearms, or allow anonymous relinquishment. 

BAIL REFORM

Victories passed

  • SJR 5 by Huffman/Smithee (Isaac Co-sponsor) – proposes a constitutional amendment to allow judges to deny bail for certain serious felony offenses—like murder, aggravated assault, or trafficking—unless prosecutors prove that releasing the defendant wouldn't pose a public safety risk or risk of flight. It aims to tighten pretrial release rules by requiring clear and convincing evidence before granting bail and is set to go before Texas voters in November 2025.

  • SB 9 by Huffman/Smithee (Isaac Co-sponsor) -  reforms how bail is handled in serious felony cases by requiring that only elected district judges—not appointed magistrates—can set bail in those instances. It also adds new oversight for charitable bail organizations, mandating regular reporting and allowing sheriffs to suspend groups that don’t comply. The law aims to strengthen public safety and ensure greater accountability in the pretrial release process.

EDUCATION

Victories passed

  • SB 2 by Chair Creighton/Chair Buckley:  ESA/School Choice Bill (Isaac Co-sponsor)  – This bill establishes a statewide Education Savings Account (ESA) program, making Texas the home of the largest first-day launch of an ESA program in the country. The bill allows eligible students to receive public funding—up to $10,000 per student per year, with an additional $1,500 for students with disabilities—to use for approved educational expenses such as private school tuition, instructional materials, online courses, and educational therapies.  As a result, parents have greater control over their child’s education, choosing the best educational environment—public, private, charter, or home-based—for their needs.

  • SB 10 by Sen. King/Rep. Noble: Ten Commandments in Public Schools (Isaac Co-sponsor) – Requires all public elementary and secondary schools in the state to display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom, beginning with the 2025–2026 school year. The bill specifies the exact wording of the Ten Commandments to ensure uniformity across schools and allows for privately donated materials.This bill received bipartisan support and is headed to Gov. Abbott desk and Gov. Abbott has already posted on social media that he will sign this new law. The ACLU has already said they will sue but their legal grounds are based on an outdated Supreme Court case, Stone v. Graham (1980) is no longer the controlling case or precedent on this issue because the Kennedy v. Bremerton (2022) overturned the Lemon v. Kurtzman standard and returned to a more respectful and historical analysis on religious Establishment Clause cases.

  • SB 11 by Sen. Middleton/Rep. Spiller: Coach Joe Kennedy/Prayer in Schools Bill  (Isaac Co-sponsor) – Establishes a period of prayer or reading of the Bible in public schools. The bill allows school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt a policy, by board resolution, that requires every campus to provide students and employees with the opportunity to participate in such a period each school day. Participation is voluntary and the policy must include signed consent forms from employees and students. This legislation is on rock solid constitutional footing being based on the 2022 religious freedom victory from the U.S. Supreme Court in Kennedy v. Bremerton.

  • SB 12 by Sen. Creighton/Rep. Leach: Parents’ Bill of Rights – Focuses on strengthening parental rights in public education, including prohibiting public schools from infringing on parents’ rights to direct their child’s moral, religious, and educational upbringing, prohibiting DEI hiring and training, and banning instruction and guidance on harmful sexual orientation and gender identity concepts in K-12 public schools. 

  • HB 6 by Leach: The Teacher's Bill of Rights (Isaac Co-author) – Gives authority back to teachers over their classrooms by revising the disciplinary processes and procedures when classroom disruptions occur. It increases safety mechanisms to support classrooms, Texas students, and Texas educators.

  • HB 100 by Rep. Leo Wilson/Sen. Middleton (Isaac Co-sponsor) – Will return the authority back to the Texas State Board of Education to select instructional materials for all public schools in the state. Instructional materials submitting a bid for consideration by the state board must meet 100% of the Texas Essential Knowledge Skills teaching standards.

  • SB 965 by Sen. Tan Parker  (Isaac Co-sponsor) – allows school employees the right to engage in religious speech or prayer.

PRO-LIFE

Victories passed

  • SB 31 by Sen. Bryan Hughes/Rep. Geren – Reaffirms that doctors are allowed to intervene if a pregnant woman faces a life-threatening physical condition under Texas’ Pro-Life laws. In most cases, the best option is to deliver the baby early—even if the child is too premature to survive—so both mother and baby receive care. Importantly, this sort of pre-viable delivery is often labeled “abortion” by medical professionals, leading to the misunderstanding that it would be banned. In rare and tragic situations where early delivery cannot save either life, the law permits doctors to act to save the mother. SB 31 also provides education for physicians and their legal advisors, helping them navigate these difficult cases and save as many lives as possible.

  • SB 33 by Sen. Campbell/Rep. Noble (Isaac Co-sponsor) – No Taxpayer Funds for Abortion Travel & Logistics – explicitly bans governmental entities from spending or appropriating public money for the purpose of assisting in the procurement of abortions or providing logistical support for such services. 

  • SCR 19 by Sen. Parker/Rep. Harris Davila – This bill authorizes the State Preservation Board to approve the construction of a “Texas Life Monument” at the State Capitol Complex, specifically on a site outside of the historic Capitol grounds as a way of celebrating the miracle of life.

  • SB 1207 by Sen. Phil King/ Rep. Terri Leo Wilson – This bill requires public high schools to teach about adoption in their health classes. Currently, for every 50 babies aborted, only 1 is adopted, largely due to fears and myths about adoption. SB 1207 helps young Texans see adoption as a compassionate and life-affirming option.

  • Budget increase to protect life. The Texas Legislature approved funding of $210 million for the Thriving Texas Families Program which serves to give mothers a better alternative to abortion by funding pregnancy resource centers and other agencies that can provide helpful resources and guidance for successful family formation.


Victories in stopping bad bills
This session, we helped defeat several dangerous bills, including efforts that would have:

  • Repealed Pro-Life laws or added exceptions for abortion;

  • Let fathers avoid paying child support if they offered to pay for an abortion; and

  • Honored former Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards.

TRANSGENDER/MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

Victories passed

  • HB 26 by Hull (Isaac Joint Author) – Allows medicaid to be used for evidence-based mental health or substance use services or nutrition counseling and instruction services from a list of services approved by the state Medicaid. MAHA 

  • HB 229 by Rep. Troxclair: Women’s Bill of Rights/What Is A Woman? Bill  (Isaac Co-author) – This common sense bill establishes a legal definition of biological sex in Texas government code and mandates that all governmental entities collecting vital statistics or other data related to sex must classify individuals strictly as either “male” or “female” based on biological reproductive capacity, particularly in claims of discrimination. Save Women’s Sports leader Riley Gaines and Brooke Slusser strongly supported this bill. This bill received bipartisan support.

  • SB 1257 by Sen. Hughes/Rep. Leach – Ensuring Adequate Health Care Coverage for Detransitioners – a surge of people who attempt to “transition” from one sex to the other decide later that they want to change back to their original sex (detransition). Often insurance companies will provide coverage for the transition, but not the detransition. SB 1257 makes it clear that if the insurance provides coverage for the transition, they also have to provide coverage for the detransition. Detransitioners like Chloe Cole have brought these issues into the spotlight.

VETERANS & MILITARY
Victories passed

  • HB 39 by R. Lopez (Isaac Co-author) – Equips the state with data and information needed to better combat the veteran mental health crisis and save veteran lives

  • HB 101 by Guillen – Creates a multi-agency task force to modernize the Texas State Guard, ensuring they are better equipped, trained, and organized to respond effectively.

  • HB 102 by Wilson (Isaac Co-author) – Authorizes early course registration for college students enrolled in military programs, ensuring they have first access to courses that t?? their military training or drill schedules

  • HB 879 by Frank – Allows qualified military physicians and nurses who recently left active duty to get licensed to practice without unnecessary delays—honoring the service of our veterans, cutting government red tape & reducing workforce shortages

  • SB 1814 by Hancock – Increases our support of Texas veterans by creating an interagency database to help connect veterans to resources and state services.

  • HB 2193 by Guillen – Requires the Texas Veterans Commission to identify and address shortcomings in how veterans benefits are delivered, ensuring they receive necessary support and improving their quality of life

  • HB 2508 by Turner – Provides full property tax exemptions to the surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected conditions, ensuring lasting relief and recognition for their sacrifice.

  • HB 300 by Wilson (Isaac Co-author) – Streamlines and increases efficiency in the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program to ensure the full benefits of the program are utilized for as many eligible students as possible.

  • HB 5646 by Wilson – Allows students enrolled in an ROTC program or members of the corps of cadets at a senior military college, to pay in-state tuition at institutions of higher education.

  • SB 2938 by Menendez (Isaac Joint Sponsor) – Requires inmates and prisoners to be checked for veteran status and connect them with veteran aid/benefits following release.

WATER

Victories passed

  • HJR 7 by Harris (Isaac Co-Author) – The House proposal for HJR 7 would dedicate up to $1 billion annually over 8 years from state sales and use tax revenue once collections reach $48 billion in a fiscal year. The House proposal allows the Legislature to reduce the dedication by up to $500 million, or increase by up to $1 billion, within a fiscal year if need be. The Senate proposal for HJR 7 would dedicate up to $1 billion annually over 20 years from state sales and use tax revenue once collections reach $46.5 billion in a fiscal year. The Senate proposal defers to statute or legislative resolution on required distributions within this $1 billion across TWDB programs. The Senate proposal authorizes adjustments to allocations during disaster declarations, with intent to restore the funding when practicable. Both proposals contain a prohibition on funds sent to the New Water Supply for Texas Fund to be used for the production or transport of fresh groundwater. Both proposals would use the legislative appropriations process to distribute this funding across Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) financial assistance programs. Both proposals begin the dedication on September 1, 2027.

  • SB 7 by Perry – would amend provisions related to the oversight and financing of water infrastructure and supply under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB). The bill would expand the permitted uses of several TWDB-administered funds. The bill also would add provisions related to water supply conveyance, revise legislative oversight of water funding, and require TWDB to create a publicly available tool for accessing information about financial assistance and water projects.

  • HB 29 by Gerdes (Isaac Co-Author) – requires cities of 150,000 or more to report water loss to TWDB.  According to a Texas Tribune article, 88 billion gallons of water were lost in Texas' most populous cities in 2023. The bill author has further informed the committee that his constituents in House District 17 are concerned about the billions of gallons of water that are pumped annually from the district to San Antonio, whose water system loses 21 billion gallons of water per year due to leaks, breaks, and other issues, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News. 

  • HB 49 by Darby (Isaac Co-Author) – provides protections for oil and gas operations who produce waste and re-use it beneficially.  The water produced would be protected from litigation if handled properly. Seeks to expand and clarify indemnification protections for entities involved in the production, conveyance, and treatment of fluid oil and gas waste by revising applicable statutory provisions relating to tort responsibility in order to offer clearer legal standards and promote innovative, sustainable waste reuse. 

  • HB 517 by Harris-Davila/Isaac - prohibit a property owners’ association from fining a homeowner for having brown or discolored vegetation or turf during a period when the property was subject to a residential watering restriction imposed by a municipality or water supplier due to drought conditions. The restriction would apply for 30 days after the restriction was lifted. Isaac Amendment  – prohibits the requirement to plant or maintain turf during the same period. 

  • HB 2078 by Gerdes/Isaac – would require a groundwater conservation district to include in its management plan an explanation in plain language of how the district was monitoring and tracking the achievement of the desired future conditions established during a groundwater management area joint planning process and how the district had performed in achieving the desired future conditions over the preceding five-year joint planning period. Strengthens the joint planning process for groundwater management areas—an important step in making sure water management is based on science and local needs.

  • HB 2080 by Gerdes/Isaac - expands Water Code sec. 13.2541(b) to allow a landowner who owned property in a county adjacent to the counties specified by that section to petition for expedited release of the area from a certificate of convenience and necessity.  Requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to review the duties of groundwater conservation districts—ensuring oversight, fairness, and consistency.

  • HB 5560 by Harris (Isaac Co-Author) – the current civil penalty cap for violations of groundwater conservation district (GCD) rules may be inadequate to deter overpumping and other violations by large water projects and should be raised to more effectively protect the state’s water supplies. would raise the limit on civil penalties that a groundwater conservation district could recover from a person for a breach of the district’s rules from $10,000 to $25,000 per day per violation. In an enforcement action brought by a groundwater conservation district against a person, the court could assess a penalty greater than the maximum penalty if the court determined that the person gained an economic benefit greater than the maximum penalty as a result of the violation. A penalty assessed under the bill would have to be in an amount determined by the court to be necessary and appropriate to outweigh the economic benefit gained by the person as a result of the violation and discourage future violations. 

  • SB 863 by Perry (HB 2817 by Isaac) – clears up a rule in the law that governs the Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA). TThis bill will let some water utilities use Edwards Aquifer water in parts of their service areas that fall just outside the official Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) boundaries—as long as those service areas were already in place when the EAA was created.

WORKFORCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Victories passed

  • HB 1130 by Isaac – Cavern Liability- Limits the liability of cavern owners and operators for injuries sustained by individuals participating in recreational or educational activities inside a cavern. A cavern entity is not liable for injuries if it posts a clearly visible warning at each cavern entrance. However, liability is not limited in cases of negligence related to cavern safety, known dangerous conditions, inadequate employee training, or intentional harm caused by the cavern entity.

  • HCR 58 by Isaac – Wedding Capitol-designates Dripping Springs as the official Wedding Capital of Texas due to its popularity as a wedding destination, with over 3,000 weddings occurring annually. The town's natural beauty, numerous event venues, and established hospitality industry make it a prime location for wedding celebrations. The designation will remain in effect for ten years from the date the resolution is passed by the Texas legislature.

  • HB 11 by Phelan – Expands licensing reciprocity agreements, making it easier to move to Texas and find a job in your field without extra regulatory hurdles

  • HB 20 by Gates (Isaac Co-author) – Establishes the Applied Sciences Pathway Program, a meaningful career pathway to high-demand jobs for more Texas high school students, reducing college expenses while growing the workforce in critical areas.

  • HB 43 by Kitzman (Isaac Co-author) – Supports agriculture producers who have struggled to remain in business by alleviating their operating costs through larger financial grants and loans at reduced interest

  • SB 29 by Hughes – Reforms state business entity laws to enhance legal clarity, limit unnecessary litigation, and make the state a more attractive and predictable jurisdiction for corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.

  • SB 2448 by Sparks – Establishes the Rural Workforce Development Grant Program, to encourage non-profits in rural communities to improve workforce training and address skills gaps to help meet the rural workforce shortage.

  • HB 554 By Leo Wilson (Isaac Joint Author) – Adds a new period of sale (June 14th to 19th) for fireworks, specifically for the celebration of Juneteenth. 

  • HB 1899 by Longoria (Isaac Joint Author) – Currently a person must be 21 years of age or older to obtain a pyrotechnic operator's license or a public fireworks display permit. This changes it to 18 years of age.

  • HB 5061 by Leach (Isaac Joint Author) – Applies to all state agency procurements and bans contractors, subcontractors, and vendors from using surveillance, intimidation, or misuse of confidential information to influence public officials or state contracting decisions.

  • HB 4230 by Metcalf (Isaac Joint Author) – Requires the general land office to establish a hike and bike trail called "Bicentennial Trail" by January 1, 2036. NOT including eminent domain.

  • SB 2180 by Hagenbuch (HB 4956 by Isaac) – Introduces a requirement that peace officers conducting polygraph examinations must undergo formal training and obtain certification through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).

Failed to pass

  • SB 1855 by Perry (Identical to HB 5325 by Isaac) – Tightens and standardizes groundwater verification for new subdivision development, mandates denial of plats lacking proper evidence of available groundwater, empowers counties in critical water regions, and phases in implementation with TCEQ-guided rules. 

  • HB 1730 by Morales Shaw (Isaac Co-Author) – Relating to a study regarding the effects of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals on public health.

MISCELLANEOUS 
Victories passed

  • HB 142 by Noble (Isaac Joint Author) – Omnibus for Office of Inspector General (OIG for HHSC).  Expedited the OIG’s ability to investigate fraud and abuse, supporting fiscal responsibility and timely resolution of these reported or suspected abuses.  

  • HB 5509 by Bumgarner (Isaac Joint Author) – Authorizes a city to suspend or revoke a certificate of occupancy for a hotel if either (1) law enforcement gives notice to the city that it is investigating the hotel for human trafficking, or (2) the city has reasonable cause to believe that such an offense is being committed on the premises. The bill would, however, require a city to follow its usual process for suspending or revoking a certificate of occupancy, and would not limit a hotel owner’s or operator’s right to a public hearing and to present evidence at a proceeding regarding the proposed suspension or revocation. 

  • HB 5624 by Buckley (Isaac Joint Author) – Chapter 75 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code currently limits the liability of landowners to avoid frivolous suits and to shift potential civil liability in certain situations to more reasonable standards. For example, it currently absolves farmers from liability to trespassers on agricultural land, and landowners from liability for free or low-cost recreational uses of the property. HB 5624 proposes an addition to Chapter 75 for motorized off-road vehicle activities. Upon posting of proper notice of limited liability in the case of injury or death, the bill would provide a business or person who owns or operates a motorized off-road vehicle area with immunity from liability and remove from consideration the intricacies of premises and products liability and other potentially overlapping areas of law. However, HB 5624 would still allow off-road entities to be held liable for negligence, as well as liability for improper training, dangerous conditions, and intentional misconduct.

HELPFUL & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Information on Bills and votes during Session:
For additional questions or more information regarding a vote taken on, or the outcome of, specific legislation, please visit the Texas Legislature Online website at capitol.texas.gov. 

House Member Information:
For additional questions or more information regarding a specific member of the Texas House of Representatives, please visit the official Texas House of Representatives website at house.texas.gov/members.

CAPITOL OFFICE:
Room E1.306
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0325
carrie.isaac@house.texas.gov

DISTRICT OFFICE:
137 Fredericksburg Rd,
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 730-6248

CAMPAIGN INFORMATION: 
Carrie Isaac for Texas
100 Commons Road #7-125
Dripping Spring, Texas 78620
(512) 829-1374
https://ISAACforTexas.com

Carrie Isaac