SB 2943 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the prohibition of certain actions by a state agency against an applicant for or holder of an occupational license.

SB 2943 prohibits Texas state agencies from adopting rules, regulations, or policies that limit an occupational license applicant's or holder's ability to obtain, maintain, or renew a license based on their sincerely held religious beliefs. It also bans actions that burden an applicant's or holder's free exercise of religion, religious speech, or membership in a religious organization. Exceptions include peace officer licensing (handled by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement) and requirements to ensure professional standards, while the law does not override medical services needed to prevent death or serious injury. Individuals can challenge violations through administrative hearings or court actions, except in cases involving sexual misconduct allegations or criminal prosecution.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Last action May 14, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 2 edits · May 13, 2025
MINOR
This bill was reformatted from an introduced version to an engrossed version, with the effective date changed from September 1, 2019 to September 1, 2025. The core policy content remains the same, prohibiting state agencies from discriminating against license applicants based on religious beliefs or speech, while maintaining exceptions for public safety and criminal prosecution.
Scope change
No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; only formatting and the effective date were modified.
TIMELINE

The bill's effective date was changed from September 1, 2019 to September 1, 2025, likely due to legislative delays or reconsideration.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was reformatted with updated headers, spacing, and line numbers to reflect its status as an engrossed version ready for final passage.

Floor votes · Senate May 12, 2025

How they voted

227
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
May 12, 2025
D Democratic10
2 Yea 7 Nay 1
70% Nay
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
32
Key actions
7
Committee
7
Amendments
2
May 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
lower
May 14, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 13, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
May 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment
upper
May 12, 2025
Amended
Amendment fails of adoption
upper
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
May 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors