Texas · SB 13
Relating to public school library materials, including the establishment of school library advisory councils.
Amends Texas Education Code §33.020 and §33.027 to require school districts to establish School Library Advisory Councils (SLACs), expand the definition of 'harmful material' for K-12 libraries, and add 'indecent content' and 'profane content' as independent grounds for mandatory removal that do not require application of the three-part Miller-style test. Establishes parent-led challenge procedures and Commissioner of Education review under TEC §7.057.
Passed
May 31, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
Sponsors (4)
- Angela Paxton
- Brandon Creighton
- Bob Hall
- Bryan Hughes
Organizations Involved
Groups connected to this legislation based on public records and documented activities.
CDF chapters actively lobby for enforcement of SB 13 through mass book challenges in Texas school districts.
Jurisdictions
Which districts, counties, or other jurisdictions are subject to this law — and which have confirmed book removals on record.
“Confirmed” means we have at least one documented book removal in our database citing this law. “Awaiting confirmation” means the jurisdiction is under the law’s authority but we don’t yet have specific removal records. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence — many districts may be enforcing this law quietly.
Confirmed removals (2)
Legislative Timeline
Received by the Secretary of the Senate
Filed
Read first time
Referred to Education K-16
Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Considered in public hearing
Testimony taken in committee
Left pending in committee
Vote taken in committee
Considered in public hearing
Reported favorably as substituted
Committee report printed and distributed
Placed on intent calendar
Vote recorded in Journal
Reported engrossed
Passed to engrossment as amended
Rules suspended-Regular order of business
Record vote
Read 3rd time
Read 2nd time
Passed
Amendment(s) offered FA1 Paxton
Amended
Statement(s) submitted
Received from the Senate
Read first time
Referred to Public Education
Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
SB 13 heads to House floor. Texas Freedom Network hosts Read-In protest inside Texas Capitol chamber steps, with students, educators, parents, bookstore owners opposing the bill.
Considered in public hearing
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Left pending in committee
Reported favorably as substituted
Considered in formal meeting
Committee substitute considered in committee
Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Committee report distributed
Committee report sent to Calendars
Considered in Calendars
Placed on Major State Calendar
Amendment tabled 3-Hinojosa
Amendment fails of adoption 6-Money
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
Read 2nd time
Record vote RV#3575
Record vote RV#3578
Record vote RV#3580
Postponed 5/26/25 3:15 PM
Record vote RV#3573
Amendment tabled 4-Gámez
Amendment tabled 7-V. Jones
Record vote RV#3576
Record vote RV#3579
Amendment tabled 2-Zwiener
Amended 5-Cunningham
Amendment(s) offered 8-Patterson
Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Record vote RV#3574
Record vote RV#3577
Point of order withdrawn (amendment) Rule 11, Section 2
Amended 1-Buckley
Amendment withdrawn 8-Patterson
Texas House approves SB 13 81-48. Senate previously approved 23-8. Legislation sent to Gov. Abbott's desk.
Laid out as postponed business
Rules suspended
Additional sponsor(s) authorized
Postponed 5/28/25 8:00 AM
Read 3rd time
Laid out as postponed business
Passed
Record vote RV#3921
Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
House passage as amended reported
Rules suspended
Additional sponsor(s) authorized
Senate appoints conferees
Senate refuses to concur-reported
Senate requests conference committee-reported
Senate appoints conferees-reported
Read
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
Senate refuses to concur
Senate requests conference committee
Conf. Comm. Report distributed
House grants request for conference committee
House grants request for conf comm-reported
House appoints conferees
House appoints conferees-reported
Conference committee report filed
House adopts conf. comm. report-reported
House adopts conference committee report
Record vote RV#4115
Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Rules suspended
Senate adopts conference committee report
Record vote
Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported
Gov. Greg Abbott signs SB 13 into law. Establishes school library advisory councils (majority parents), requires removal of "profane," "indecent," or "sexually explicit" content.
Reported enrolled
Signed in the Senate
Signed in the House
Sent to the Governor
Effective on 9/1/25
Signed by the Governor
SB 13 takes effect for 2025-2026 school year. New Braunfels ISD begins removing 1,540+ books under the law.