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SB 10 Legislative Priority

Relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.
Overall Vote Recommendation
Neutral
Principle Criteria
negative
Free Enterprise
neutral
Property Rights
neutral
Personal Responsibility
negative
Limited Government
negative
Individual Liberty
In Layman's Terms

SB 10 requires every Texas public school classroom to display a standardized copy of the Ten Commandments. Schools may use privately donated displays, but the bill provides no state funding and has prompted constitutional concerns over the separation of church and state.

Digest

SB 10 requires all public elementary and secondary schools in Texas to display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in a conspicuous place within each classroom. The bill mandates that the display be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, with the text printed in a size and typeface that is legible from anywhere in the classroom. The exact wording of the Ten Commandments is prescribed in the legislation to ensure uniformity across all schools.

Under SB 10, schools must accept any privately donated poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments, provided the display meets the bill’s requirements. However, the legislation does not allocate state funding for purchasing these materials, leaving schools to rely on private donations or district resources to comply with the mandate.

The stated purpose of the bill is to reinforce moral and ethical principles in educational environments. Proponents argue that the Ten Commandments have historical significance and serve as a foundational influence on American legal and ethical traditions. However, critics contend that the bill may violate the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion, potentially leading to legal challenges. If enacted, SB 10 would go into effect for the 2025-2026 school year, requiring all public schools to implement the display mandate.

Author (20)
Sponsor (5)
Candy Noble
Bradley Buckley
Jeff Leach
David Spiller
Richard Raymond
Co-Sponsor (56)

Contact the Author

Sen. Phil King

Capitol Phone:
(512) 463-0110
Capitol Office:
CAP GE.5
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Visit Official Website
Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board's fiscal note, SB 10 is not expected to have a significant fiscal impact on the state budget. The assessment assumes that any costs associated with implementing the bill can be absorbed using existing resources at the state level. This means that no additional state appropriations or funding mechanisms are required for enforcement or oversight of the legislation.

However, the local fiscal impact on school districts remains undetermined. While the bill mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom, it does not provide dedicated funding for the purchase of materials. Schools are required to accept privately donated displays, but in the absence of sufficient donations, districts may need to allocate local funds to purchase posters or framed copies that meet the bill’s requirements. The overall cost to school districts will depend on the availability of private donations, the number of classrooms affected, and the potential need for legal review or compliance monitoring.

Despite the uncertainty regarding local costs, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has indicated that it does not anticipate significant administrative burdens resulting from the bill. However, some school districts may face operational costs related to procurement, installation, and possible legal compliance measures to ensure adherence to constitutional guidelines.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Policy Research remains NEUTRAL on SB 10 due to the complex intersection of constitutional law, historical tradition, and educational policy that the bill presents. While the bill mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, which raises First Amendment concerns, it also acknowledges the significant historical and moral influence of biblical principles on American law and society. Because of these competing factors, we recognize valid arguments on both sides and do not take an official position advocating for or against the bill.

From a constitutional perspective, the bill could face legal challenges under the Establishment Clause, as past Supreme Court rulings have generally found mandatory religious displays in public schools unconstitutional (Stone v. Graham, 1980). However, more recent rulings, such as Kennedy v. Bremerton School District (2022), suggest a shift in legal precedent, making it unclear how courts would rule on SB 10. Because judicial interpretation is evolving, Texas Policy Research takes a neutral stance and defers to the courts for final legal clarity.

At the same time, the historical and legal influence of the Ten Commandments on American jurisprudence is undeniable. Many fundamental legal principles, such as prohibitions against theft, perjury, and murder, align with biblical teachings and have shaped both common law traditions and American legal codes. Supporters argue that displaying the Ten Commandments in schools serves an educational purpose rather than a purely religious one, which could justify the bill as a historical recognition rather than religious endorsement.

To mitigate constitutional concerns while still respecting the historical value of the Ten Commandments, Texas Policy Research suggests amending SB 10 to make the display optional rather than compulsory. Specifically, the bill could be revised to allow school districts to choose whether to display the Ten Commandments rather than requiring all public schools to do so.

Free Enterprise
negative
The bill does not regulate private markets, businesses, or commercial activity. While school districts may purchase displays if donations are unavailable, the bill does not materially affect competition or the regulatory environment for private enterprise.
Property Rights
neutral
The bill concerns displays in public school classrooms and does not alter ownership, use, or control of private property or contractual rights.
Personal Responsibility
neutral
The bill does not materially affect individual accountability, parental responsibility, or personal decision-making. It neither creates incentives for nor diminishes personal responsibility; instead, it prescribes what schools must display.
Limited Government
negative
The bill establishes a statewide mandate requiring every public elementary and secondary school classroom to display the Ten Commandments, overriding local discretion in school governance. Although it creates no new agency, it expands state direction over local school operations by prescribing a uniform classroom display requirement.
Individual Liberty
negative
The bill requires every public school classroom to display a specific religious text, leaving no discretion for local school districts or individual campuses. Although the measure does not directly regulate private citizens, it imposes a statewide mandate governing public educational environments and raises constitutional concerns regarding compelled governmental expression.
Amendment Recommendations
  • Make the display optional rather than compulsory
Committee Vote Information
  • Senate Committee on Education K-16: 9Y/1N/1PNV
  • House Committee on Public Education: 9Y/0N
References
Related Legislation
View Bill Text and Status
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