88th Texas Legislature

The 88th Texas Legislature was a meeting of the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Texas, composed of the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives. The Texas State Legislature met in its regular session in Austin, Texas, from January 10, 2023 to May 29, 2023, followed by four consecutive special sessions.

All seats in the state house and 16 seats in the state senate were up for election in November 2022, with seats apportioned among the 2020 United States census. The Republican Party preserved their majority in both chambers.

Major events

 * January 10, 2023 – Legislature convenes at noon (CST).
 * March 6, 2023 – State representative Bryan Slaton introduces the Texas Independence Referendum Act which, if passed, would call for a state referendum on the secession of Texas from the United States. The bill would later fail to get out of committee before the end of the regular session.
 * April 20, 2023 – The Texas Senate passes a bill that would require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every classroom of every public school in Texas.  The bill would later fail to pass the Texas House of Representatives.
 * May 9, 2023 – The Texas House of Representatives votes unanimously to expel Bryan Slaton from House District 2 following an investigation that determined he had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with an aide.
 * May 27, 2023 – In a 121-23 vote, the Texas House of Representatives votes to impeach Attorney General Ken Paxton, the third impeachment in the state's history.
 * May 29, 2023
 * Legislature adjourns.
 * 88th Legislature 1st Called Session convenes.
 * June 27, 2023
 * Legislature adjourns 1st special session.
 * 88th Legislature 2nd Called Session convenes.
 * July 13, 2023 – Legislature adjourns 2nd special session.
 * October 9, 2023 – 88th Legislature 3rd Called Session convenes.
 * November 7, 2023
 * Legislature adjourns 3rd special session.
 * 88th Legislature 4th Called Session convenes.
 * December 5, 2023 – Legislature adjourns 4th special session.

Enacted

 * House bills
 * HB 3: Requires all school campuses to have an armed security officer present, in addition to other security hardening measures.
 * Senate bills
 * SB 14: Prohibits doctors from prescribing gender-affirming care to transgender minors.
 * SB 17: Bans diversity, equity and inclusion offices at universities.
 * SB 763: Allows school districts to hire or volunteer chaplains for mental health support for students.

Proposed (but not enacted)

 * House bills
 * HB 3596: The Texas Independence Referendum Act which would call for a state referendum on the secession of Texas from the United States.