After a 140-day session filled with debate, testimony and behind-the-scenes deal-making, the 89th Texas Legislature closed its regular session with a wave of new laws set to reshape everything from schools to the state power grid.
Governor Greg Abbott signed more than 1,100 bills into law on June 23, with several already taking effect and others on the horizon.
“Texas is where the American dream lives,” Abbott said in June. “Working with the Texas Legislature, we will keep Texas the best place to live, work and raise a family."
Here are five of the most impactful new laws now in place:
Goodbye, Temporary Tags
Starting July 1, 2025, temporary paper license plates will be a thing of the past. Under HB 718, all vehicle buyers in Texas must receive hard, metal license plates at the point of sale.
The bill aims to curb fraud and reduce crime associated with counterfeit tags, a problem that law enforcement agencies have flagged for years. All licensed dealers are now required to issue permanent metal plates immediately upon sale.
A Statewide Cellphone Ban in K–12 Classrooms
House Bill 1481 mandates all public school districts in Texas adopt policies restricting cellphone use during the school day. The law gives districts flexibility in how they enforce the ban, from requiring devices to be locked in magnetic pouches to instructing students to keep phones in lockers or backpacks.
Exceptions are carved out for students with medical conditions or special education needs. The measure is backed by $20 million in state funding to help districts implement the changes, and schools have 90 days to comply.
Clearer Guidelines for Life-Saving Abortions
In a state with one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, Senate Bill 31, also known as the Life of the Mother Act, offers clarity for physicians facing emergency pregnancy situations. The bill, which took effect immediately upon Abbott’s signature, allows licensed doctors to perform abortions if a pregnant patient faces life-threatening conditions or serious physical harm due to the pregnancy.
The updated language gives doctors more room to exercise medical judgment without fear of legal consequences, while maintaining the core structure of Texas’s existing abortion ban.
Strengthening the Grid
The state’s electric grid has been under intense scrutiny since the deadly 2021 winter storm, and lawmakers are still working to reinforce it. Senate Bill 6, effective June 20, targets large power users such as data centers and industrial facilities.
Under the law, any facility consuming 75 megawatts or more must have backup generators and install a kill switch that allows the state to disconnect power remotely during critical grid emergencies. The goal is to relieve pressure on the grid during peak demand and prevent blackouts.
Boosting Rural Healthcare Access
Rural communities across Texas will soon see expanded support thanks to House Bill 18, which establishes the State Office of Rural Hospital Finance. The new office will help rural healthcare providers access technical assistance and a suite of grants aimed at financial stability, emergency relief, innovation and overall hospital support.
By addressing systemic gaps in rural healthcare infrastructure, the bill aims to reduce the growing disparity in health outcomes between urban and rural Texans.
What’s Next?
Though the regular session ended, Governor Abbott has already called a special session that will begin July 21 to revisit some bills that were vetoed or left unsigned. As new laws continue to roll out, Texans can expect further changes in the months ahead.
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