New Voices laws aim to restore the rights of the First Amendment to students

Because of this, the Student Press Law Center has set standards to ensure that such laws will be effective in achieving this aim. SPLC drafted model bill language that can serve an example for advocates to use to pass an effective New Voices law.

HB 5266

In 2023, State Rep. Erin Zwiener (D–Hays) authored and sponsored HB 5266 during the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature, which New Voices Texas supported and lobbied for passage. The bill was read and then referred to Public Education, where it died with the end of the session because it was never scheduled for a committee hearing.

HB 422

In 2021, State Rep. Mary González (D-El Paso) sponsored House Bill 422, which New Voices Texas supported and lobbied for passage during the 87th Session of the Texas Legislature. The bill ultimately died when the session concluded because it was never scheduled for a committee hearing.

HB 2244

In 2019, State Rep. Mary González (D-El Paso) sponsored House Bill 2244, which New Voices Texas supported and lobbied for passage during the 86th Session of the Texas Legislature.

  • New Voices Texas supporters testified in support during a committee hearing.
  • The bill received by bipartisan support as representatives Scott Sanford, Diego Bernal and Morgan Meyer signed on as co-authors.
  • The Texas House Public Education Committee approved the bill unanimously with one member not voting.
  • The bill died in the Calendar’s Committee when it was never scheduled for a vote before time ran out for bills to be considered at the end of the session.

SB 514

In 2019, State Senator José Rodríguez, (D-El Paso) sponsored Senate Bill 514, which New Voices Texas supported and lobbied for passage during the 86th Session of the Texas Legislature.

  • New Voices Texas supporters testified in support during a committee hearing.
  • The bill was heard in committee and Senator José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) signed on as a co-author.
  • The bill never received a vote in the Senate Education Committee before time ran out in the legislative session.