Monitoring the SessionHB 717
Died in committee
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Schools can limit it only with a compelling state interest and the least restrictive means.
The bill bars school districts, charter schools and other state government bodies from limiting a school employee's religious speech or prayer while on duty. The only exception is a limit that serves a compelling state interest and uses the least restrictive means to get there. Teachers and other public school staff gain a written legal shield for on-duty prayer, and schools must meet that high bar before restricting it.
Labels: BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 1556 by Sen. Parker (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
89R-HB717 · 2024-11-12
+ 42 coauthors
relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty.
Schools can limit it only with a compelling state interest and the least restrictive means.
The bill bars school districts, charter schools and other state government bodies from limiting a school employee's religious speech or prayer while on duty. The only exception is a limit that serves a compelling state interest and uses the least restrictive means to get there. Teachers and other public school staff gain a written legal shield for on-duty prayer, and schools must meet that high bar before restricting it.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
THE TEXT
…“engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty may not be”…
Bill text, introduced version (I)
The bill sets a strict legal test that schools and the state must meet before restricting what school employees say or pray on the job.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
$1,141,482.69
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 13, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101004498, 101024562, 101039760, 101044787, 101067510, 101072948.
$273,017.05
Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Feb 9, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101039760, 101044787, 101067510, 101072948.
$182,117.94
Also funds 12 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Oct 31, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Sep 30, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101072948.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$1,141,482.69
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 13, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101004498, 101024562, 101039760, 101044787, 101067510, 101072948.
$273,017.05
Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Feb 9, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101039760, 101044787, 101067510, 101072948.
$182,117.94
Also funds 12 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Oct 31, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Sep 30, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101072948.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Sen. Parker, different lead author · Died in committee · same text
Introduced textLast action, Apr 28, 2023: Referred to State Affairs
Relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024
03/04/2025 H Referred to State Affairs: Mar 4 2025 3:37PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
SB 965 by Parker (identical)
Education--Primary & Secondary--General
Religion
The text as introduced · 183 words
89R108 JTZ-D By: Leach H.B. No. 717 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the right of a public school employee to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 22, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 22.012 to read as follows: Sec. 22.012. RELIGIOUS SPEECH OR PRAYER. The right of an employee of a school district or open-enrollment charter school to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty may not be infringed on by the district or school or another state governmental entity, unless the infringement is: (1) necessary to further a compelling state interest; and (2) narrowly tailored using the least restrictive means to achieve that compelling state interest. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
