Bill
Bill > HB2696
summary
Introduced
02/12/2025
02/12/2025
In Committee
03/18/2025
03/18/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/02/2025
06/02/2025
Introduced Session
89th Legislature Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.
AI Summary
This bill requires all public elementary and secondary schools in Texas to display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The poster must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, with a legible typeface that can be read from anywhere in the classroom. The specific version of the Ten Commandments text is provided in the bill, which includes the traditional Biblical language. If schools do not already have these posters, they must accept privately donated Ten Commandments displays that meet the specified requirements, though they are not required to purchase the posters using district funds. The bill explicitly states that no other law can exempt public schools from this requirement. The legislation will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas Legislature, or otherwise will become effective on September 1, 2025. This bill raises potential constitutional questions about separation of church and state, as it mandates the display of a religious text in public school classrooms.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (69)
Brad Buckley (R)*,
Jeff Leach (R)*,
Candy Noble (R)*,
Richard Raymond (D)*,
David Spiller (R)*,
Daniel Alders (R),
Trent Ashby (R),
Jeffrey Barry (R),
Keith Bell (R),
Greg Bonnen (R),
Ben Bumgarner (R),
Briscoe Cain (R),
Giovanni Capriglione (R),
David Cook (R),
Tom Craddick (R),
Charles Cunningham (R),
Pat Curry (R),
Jay Dean (R),
Mano DeAyala (R),
Mark Dorazio (R),
Paul Dyson (R),
James Frank (R),
Gary Gates (R),
Sam Harless (R),
Cody Harris (R),
Brian Harrison (R),
Richard Hayes (R),
Cole Hefner (R),
Hillary Hickland (R),
Janis Holt (R),
Andy Hopper (R),
Lacey Hull (R),
Carrie Isaac (R),
Helen Kerwin (R),
Marc LaHood (R),
Terri Leo-Wilson (R),
Mitch Little (R),
Janie Lopez (R),
A.J. Louderback (R),
David Lowe (R),
J.M. Lozano (R),
John Lujan (R),
Shelley Luther (R),
Don McLaughlin (R),
John McQueeney (R),
Will Metcalf (R),
Brent Money (R),
Matt Morgan (R),
Mike Olcott (R),
Tom Oliverson (R),
Angelia Orr (R),
Jared Patterson (R),
Dennis Paul (R),
Dade Phelan (R),
Katrina Pierson (R),
Keresa Richardson (R),
Nate Schatzline (R),
Matt Shaheen (R),
Joanne Shofner (R),
Shelby Slawson (R),
Valoree Swanson (R),
Carl Tepper (R),
Steve Toth (R),
Ellen Troxclair (R),
Cody Vasut (R),
Denise Villalobos (R),
Wesley Virdell (R),
Trey Wharton (R),
Terry Wilson (R),
Last Action
Referred to Public Education (on 03/18/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2696 |
| BillText | https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/HB02696I.htm |
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