Today is the unofficial opening of the 2025 session of the Texas Legislature

AUSTIN – Tuesday marks the unofficial start of the 89th Texas legislative session as lawmakers begin filing some of the bills they hope to pass. of Governor Greg Abbott office next year.

Lawmakers in the Texas House and Senate can begin “pre-filing” legislation, giving a first look at the topics they want to address when the Legislature adjourns for the first day on Jan. 14.

The Dallas Morning News will track invoices that are submitted throughout the day.

The first 20 to 30 bill numbers are usually reserved for the top priorities of the Speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor, who presides over the Senate.

Lawmakers will file thousands of bills during the legislative session. Most will not become law.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has already said that school choice — allowing state education money to be spent on private schools — will be his priority next session. The Senate school choice bill will be Senate Bill 2, Patrick said Friday. Senate Bill 1 is reserved for the state budget.

Texas Speaker Dade Phelan has not revealed his legislative priorities for next year’s session. Phelan is in a battle to be speaker for a third term as more than 45 House Republicans they pledged their support to Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield.

Republicans control both chambers and they slightly increased their majoritieswinning one seat in the Senate and two seats in the Texas House. Republicans will hold a 20-11 advantage in the Senate and an 88-62 majority in the upcoming House session.

The last day lawmakers can table most of the legislation is March 14. The 89th legislative session will end on Monday, June 2.