Texas lawmaking shifts as Democrats take the House
The 90th session begins in January with a new Democratic governor and a split legislature, prompting a rush of bill filings this week.
By Leila Reynolds ·
The window to submit legislation for the 2027 Texas session opens Monday, marking the start of a legislative term defined by divided leadership and a new Democratic governor.
The 90th session will convene on Jan. 12. Lawmakers will have until March 12 to file their bills. Hundreds of measures are expected to be submitted on the first day, with thousands more following over the course of the session. Most of these proposals will not reach the governor's desk, but the initial filings will show the immediate priorities of the new leadership.
Democrats will control the House of Representatives during the 90th Session. They will elect a new speaker on the first day to replace Dustin Burrows, a Republican from Lubbock who currently holds the position. Senfronia Thompson, a Democrat and the longest-serving Black legislator in any state, announced Friday that she has secured enough votes to win the speaker's gavel.
Republicans will retain the majority in the Senate. However, the chamber will be led by Vikki Goodwin, a Democrat who won the lieutenant governor's race in last week's election. Goodwin will preside over the Senate as part of a Democratic sweep of statewide offices.
Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa campaigned heavily on reversing Republican education policies. Her platform included changing the state's school voucher program, which allows families to use tax dollars for private schooling. That law was passed in 2025 during the 89th Legislative Session. Democrats also focused on tightening rules for data center development and lowering the cost of living.
Hinojosa signaled a desire for bipartisan cooperation on Thursday when she announced a transition team with members from both parties. "I would hope that elected leaders from both parties don't get in the way of the progress we can make together to deliver for working people," Hinojosa said. "That is our obligation as leaders in this state, and I look forward to working with Republican leaders in the Legislature."
The lowest bill numbers are usually assigned to the highest priority measures. These priorities are determined by the House speaker and the lieutenant governor. The filing process on Monday will provide an early look at which issues the new leadership considers most urgent.
