Lawmakers convened at the 88th Texas Legislature’s regular session from January through May 2023, but Gov. Greg Abbott additionally called for four separate special sessions. The fourth special session concluded on Dec. 5.

Nicholas Basha, a management information systems and government senior, said it’s essential for students to pay attention to the Texas Legislature and lawmakers, even if they are not directly impacted.

“Students should be aware of legislation as part of their civic duty and to understand how our government and the state impact their communities,” said Basha, the co-student leader for Texas Rising. “Even if it’s not personally, these laws may affect someone close to them. … It’s important that you understand what laws our representatives are passing to make decisions about who to vote for.”  

While dozens of laws went into effect this year, here is a sample of some of the significant laws to be on the lookout for.

Implemented on Jan. 1

Senate Bill 17

This law bans all diversity, equity and inclusion mandatory trainings, offices and hiring practices at Texas public colleges and universities. To comply with this bill, many organizations were shut down or renamed.

House Bill 796

This law requires local governments to establish an online database to make it easier for taxpayers to search for information about property tax protest hearings.

HB 2323

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the song “Texas, Our Texas,” this measure requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue special edition license plates with the song title and “1924-2024.”

HB 3186

As part of the Texas Youth Diversion and Early Intervention Act, this law increases opportunities for early identification of at-risk youth and lays out plans for those accused of certain Class C misdemeanors.

HB 4500

This law requires some health benefit plan issuers to create an online system to aid physicians in determining if a patient is covered by an insurance plan in an efficient manner.

HB 4758

This law makes it a crime to market or advertise e-cigarette products to young people with images of food, cartoon characters or celebrities on the packaging.

Taking effect on Feb. 6

SB 4

This law increases the consequences for operating a “stash house” where criminals hide immigrants or illegal items, now having a mandated punishment of ten years at a minimum.

SB 7

This law prohibits all private businesses, including healthcare providers, from mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for employees, facing a $50,000 fine if violated.

Taking effect on March 5

SB 3

This law will allocate around $1.5 billion of the state budget to support the construction efforts for a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

SB 4

This law, which raised concerns of “anti-immigrant sentiment” from the public, will permit all law enforcement officers to arrest an individual suspected of crossing the border illegally and empower judges to order their removal.

What can students do to become involved?

Maggie DiSanza, Texas Rising campus organizer for Central Texas, encourages students to become involved in all forms of government, whether through voting, educating themselves or participating in organizations. 

“Making our voice heard is an act of defiance, and advocating for the needs of ourselves in our communities is an act of defiance because we’re deciding to embrace our collective power,” said DiSanza, a an English and women’s & gender studies junior. “Our state laws show up in every aspect of our lives, even if we don’t overly see it, and it’s our responsibility to engage.”

There are many different ways for students to participate in government, including the following: registering to vote, writing letters to representatives, volunteering with pre-existing organizations and testifying at Austin City Council. The last day to register to vote in Travis County is Feb. 5. Mar 5 is also the last day to vote in the Travis County Primary Election.