In a rare show of bipartisan cooperation, the Texas House on Sunday evening passed a sweeping public health bill aimed at tackling chronic disease, unhealthy diets, and sedentary lifestyles. Senate Bill 25, dubbed the “Make Texas Healthy Again” bill, passed with a 105–28 vote after hours of debate and procedural delays.
The legislation mandates daily physical activity in public and charter schools, introduces a standardized nutrition curriculum, and requires warning labels on foods containing ingredients banned in other countries.
“This is about the average Texan in the grocery store wanting to make healthy choices against a multi-trillion dollar industry,” said State Rep. Lacey Hull, R-Houston, the bill’s House sponsor. “Members, we need to break the system and address chronic disease.”
Key Provisions of SB 25
Daily Physical Activity: Schools would be required to incorporate regular physical education into students' schedules, aiming to combat rising childhood obesity and sedentary habits.
Nutrition Education: The State Board of Education would be tasked with adopting new standards for teaching nutrition, based on recommendations from a newly formed Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee.
Consumer Food Labels: Products sold in Texas would need to carry warnings if they contain ingredients prohibited in other countries, empowering consumers with greater transparency at the grocery store.
Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee: A new seven-member body, appointed by the governor, will develop nutritional guidelines and investigate the links between food additives and chronic health conditions.
The bill reflects themes of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. That initiative has prioritized lifestyle-based approaches to improving American health outcomes and reducing dependence on medication.
“This is about the MAHA parents coming together with the crunchy granola parents to say we are sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Hull told colleagues during debate, underscoring the broad cultural coalition behind the bill.
Support and Opposition
Despite strong final vote totals, the path to passage was not without friction. House Democrats attempted six procedural blocks via points of order, and 19 amendments were offered — most of which were rejected.
State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, was among those who voted “no,” though he expressed initial support for many of the bill’s goals.
“I actually had high hopes for this bill when it was announced,” Wu said. “What I did not expect was that this bill would turn into such a beast… so many musts and shalls jammed down everyone’s throats.” Wu argued that mandatory new physical education time could come at the expense of core academic learning.
Others, like Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, offered more tempered support.
“A lot of the Democratic amendments you heard today were sincerely put forward to make this bill better,” Howard said. “But the fact is, I am going to be supporting this bill. I think it takes us in a good direction.”
National Implications
Hull said she received personal encouragement from federal leaders, including a phone call from Kennedy praising the legislation.
“This is the best bill in the entire nation,” Hull quoted Kennedy as saying. “They are watching, and they want us to pass this bill.”
The Senate unanimously passed SB 25 in March. Sunday's House passage puts the bill on track for final approval before Tuesday's deadline to advance Senate legislation on second reading.
Looking Ahead
If signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, SB 25 would represent one of the most comprehensive state-level public health initiatives in the country. Supporters say it’s a long-overdue response to the rising tide of chronic disease and declining life expectancy.
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