Two bills expanding religious expression in Texas public schools have passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature and now await action from Gov. Greg Abbott. Senate Bill 10 and Senate Bill 11, both Republican-led initiatives, reignited longstanding debates over religious freedom, the role of faith in education, and the principle of church-state separation.
SB 10: Mandatory Display of the Ten Commandments
Senate Bill 10, authored by Sen. Phil King (R-Weatherford), mandates the prominent display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom across Texas. The legislation specifies that the display must be at least 16 by 20 inches, clearly legible from anywhere in the room, and contain the version of the commandments as written in the King James Bible — reflecting the Reformed Protestant tradition.
Supporters of the bill argue it represents a return to foundational moral teachings and historical values that once featured prominently in American classrooms. Opponents, however, see the law as an unconstitutional endorsement of one religion over others and raise practical concerns over its implementation in diverse classrooms.
“I believe this bill represents a step toward restoring moral order in our schools,” said Sen. King during Senate deliberations. “The Ten Commandments are part of our national heritage.”
But Democratic lawmakers warned that the legislation may alienate students of other faiths — or none — and place an uncomfortable burden on educators who may be expected to explain religious concepts, some of which are sensitive or not age-appropriate.
“Teachers shouldn’t be forced into the role of religious interpreters,” said Rep. James Talarico (D-Austin), a frequent critic of religion-based education legislation who cited his ongoing seminary studies during the debate. Talarico also challenged the bill's constitutionality, questioning whether lawmakers truly believe in the separation of church and state — a question that drew mixed responses from Republican sponsors.
SB 11: Optional Time for Prayer and Religious Reading
Senate Bill 11, authored by Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), allows school districts to vote on whether to establish an official time for voluntary prayer and religious reading. Under the bill, participation is optional, and underage students must have parental consent to join. The law explicitly prohibits using the school’s public address system for any prayer.
Like SB 10, SB 11 sparked heated floor debate, particularly over inclusivity. Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston) introduced amendments aiming to broaden the bill’s scope to ensure representation of religions such as Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The amendments ultimately failed, but the debate exposed concerns that the legislation, while not mandating Christian prayer, could easily tilt in that direction given Texas’s religious demographics.
“Freedom of religion must include freedom from religion,” Wu said. “We cannot pass laws that implicitly favor one belief system over another.”
Political Background and Passage
Both bills passed the Texas House with significant Republican support. SB 10 was approved by a vote of 88-49 after a marathon debate session and 16 proposed amendments. SB 11 passed 91-51, despite similar opposition efforts.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick had made clear in June 2024 that passing these types of religious liberty bills would be a top priority, citing Louisiana’s successful enactment of a similar Ten Commandments display law. Patrick has also publicly criticized former House Speaker Dade Phelan for blocking similar legislation during the 88th session.
Gov. Abbott now has 20 days after sine die (June 2, 2025, the end of the session) to sign the bills into law, veto them, or take no action — in which case they would automatically become law. Abbott has previously supported similar religious expression measures, including allowing chaplains in public schools, suggesting he may sign both bills.
What’s Next?
Legal challenges appear likely. Civil liberties groups, including the ACLU of Texas and various interfaith coalitions, have already indicated plans to file lawsuits if the bills are enacted. They argue that SB 10, in particular, violates long-established Supreme Court precedents concerning religious displays in public schools.
Still, supporters of the bills see this moment as a long-awaited victory in a broader cultural and political fight over the place of religion in public life.
“These bills aren’t just about faith,” said Sen. Middleton. “They’re about freedom — the freedom to pray, to read scripture, and to live by moral principles without being silenced.”
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