Principle Criteria
Free Enterprise
Property Rights
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Individual Liberty
Digest
HB 717 amends the Texas Education Code to protect the right of public school employees to engage in religious speech or prayer while on duty, barring infringement unless it serves a compelling state interest and employs the least restrictive means. The law takes immediate effect upon securing two-thirds legislative approval or on September 1, 2025.
Author (1)
Jeff Leach
Co-Author (42)
Daniel Alders
Trent Ashby
Keith Bell
Greg Bonnen
Bradley Buckley
Briscoe Cain
Giovanni Capriglione
David Cook
Pat Curry
Jay Dean
Mano DeAyala
Mark Dorazio
Brian Harrison
Cole Hefner
Hillary Hickland
Andy Hopper
Lacey Hull
Carrie Isaac
Helen Kerwin
Marc LaHood
Terri Leo-Wilson
Mitch Little
J. M. Lozano
Don McLaughlin
William Metcalf
Matt Morgan
Candy Noble
Mike Olcott
Tom Oliverson
Jared Patterson
Dennis Paul
Katrina Pierson
Nate Schatzline
Matthew Shaheen
Joanne Shofner
Shelby Slawson
David Spiller
Valoree Swanson
Ellen Troxclair
Cody Vasut
Wesley Virdell
Trey Wharton
Contact the Author
Rep. Jeff Leach
Capitol Phone:
(512) 463-0544
Capitol Office:
CAP 1W.3
E-Mail:
