Over 800 New Texas Laws Take Effect on September 1…Let’s Focus On 8 Of Them

On September 1, 2025, more than 800 new laws will be enacted in Texas.

Here are 8 new laws that have been getting a lot attention.

Move Over/Slow Down Law Expanded

Texas drivers should already know to slow down and move over a lane when it comes to passing an emergency vehicle stopped on the side of the road.

Senate Bill 305 adds other vehicles to that list including tow trucks, garbage trucks, TxDOT trucks, animal control officers/vehicles, and parking enforcement vehicles.

Anyone ticketed for a violation could face a fine ranging from $500 to $1250.

School Vouchers

This highly divisive bill (Senate Bill 2) earmarks taxpayer funds to be used for private schooling. House Bill 2 provides substantial funding increases for public schools. 

READ MORE: These East Texas Schools Received A's In TEA Accountability Ratings

SNAP Restrictions Extended

Senate Bill 379 expands the list of items that are forbidden to purchase using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Candy, cookies, energy drinks, sweetened drinks, carbonated drinks, and certain snacks are not allowed to be purchased with SNAP benefits.

Property Taxation

Senate Bill 4 raises the homestead exemption for all homeowners from $100,000 to $140,000. Senate Bill 23 increases the homestead exemption to $200,000 for those who are aged 65 and above or disabled.

Cell Phones in Schools

This bill received a lot of publicity over the summer. House Bill 1481 directs that cell phones, smart watches and other communication devices are banned starting this school year.

Many school districts already had rules in place concerning possession and usage of cell phones, but the new legislation put new focus on this. The enforcement of this will be down to individual school districts.

Bad Behavior By Sports Spectators Addressed

Consider yourself warned, if you attend a UIL sporting event, behave yourself.

Texas Senate Bill 2929 allows officials at school extracurricular events to eject a spectator for inappropriate behavior without a prior verbal warning. This legislation, went into effect for the 2025-2026 school year and grants referees, judges, and other officials more authority to remove disorderly spectators from sporting events.

LGBTQ Rights

House Bill 229 defines "man" and "woman" based on reproductive organs that will be used for state records.

Senate Bill 12 bans diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in public schools from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Teachers will be banned from referring to students by a pronoun that doesn't match their assigned sex at birth.

E-Cigarettes Legislation

Several bills go into effect on September 1 legislating the sale and packaging of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, or other tobacco.

Senate Bill 1313 prohibits retailers from selling or promoting these products using signs or logos aimed towards minors. Senate Bill 1316 bans advertising e-cigarettes within 1,000 feet of churches and schools.

Electronic cigarettes mixed with ingredients such as kratom, kava, and cannabinoids will not be allowed to be sold.