After the end of the regular legislative session, the governor has 20 days to make his vetoes official. This year, that deadline falls on June 18.
Below is the running list of the bills vetoed by Abbott from the 88th Legislative Session, descending in order of most recent. Check back daily for updates on which bills have made it through the legislative process only to fail at the final checkpoint.
HB 279
Author: Rep. Jacey Jetton (R-Richmond)
Sponsor: Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston)
Caption: Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the offense of trafficking of persons.
Veto Date: May 24
Abbott’s statement: “I am vetoing House Bill No. 279 at the author’s request because it is largely duplicative of Senate Bill No. 1529, which I have proudly signed into law. I applaud Representative Jacey Jetton and Senator Paul Bettencourt for working with Senator Joan Huffman and Representative Senfronia Thompson to protect trafficking victims.”
The formal proclamation of Abbott’s veto can be found at this link.
SB 1615
Author: Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo)
Sponsor: Rep. Terry Wilson (R-Marble Falls)
Caption: Relating to the cosmetology licensure compact.
Veto Date: May 19
Abbott’s statement: “Before ceding sovereign power over our State’s cosmetologists to a Cosmetology Licensure Compact Commission that does not yet exist, Texas should wait and see who joins this proposed interstate compact. There is simply no need to rush into such an arrangement, as evidenced by the fact that Senate Bill No. 1615 would not even go into effect until 2026.
I have long been a champion of occupational-licensing reforms like those in Senate Bill No. 1 6 1 5, especially when they help military spouses. That is why I signed Senate Bill No. 1200 into law in 2019. As a result, a military spouse with an out-of-state license can now practice a trade in the Lone Star State without the hassle of securing another license from Texas.
To take another example, I signed House Bill No. 3742 in 2015 so that Texas can enter into licensing-reciprocity agreements with sister states. Instead of waiting until 2026 for someone else to cut red tape, I hereby direct the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to redouble its efforts on entering into those bilateral agreements. A copy of this disapproval message shall be filed with that state agency.
There will be time enough to reassess the membership and direction of this Cosmetology
Licensure Compact Commission in 2025, when the 89th Legislature convenes. Meanwhile, I will continue to defend Texas’s sovereignty and push for real reforms that let Texans get to work.”
The formal proclamation of Abbott’s veto can be found at this link.
This article has been updated throughout.
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McKenzie DiLullo
McKenzie DiLullo serves as Senior Editor at The Texan. Previously, she worked as a Capitol Director during the 85th legislative session before moving to Fort Worth to manage Senator Konni Burton’s campaign. In her free time, you might find her enjoying dog memes, staring at mountains, or proctoring personality tests.
