SB 10 explained: The Ten Commandments in Texas classrooms, and where the court fight stands
TL;DR
SB 10 requires every Texas public elementary and secondary school to display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments, at least 16 by 20 inches and using text set in the law, in every classroom. The full Fifth Circuit upheld the law on April 21, 2026. Families have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case, and Texas’s response is due November 10, 2026.
What the bill does
The requirement. Each public elementary and secondary school has to put a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in a conspicuous place in every classroom.
The specifics. The display has to be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, readable by a person with average vision from anywhere in the room, and limited to the exact text written into the law, with nothing added.
Paying for it. A school without the displays has to accept privately donated posters that meet the rules. It may buy its own with district funds but isn’t required to. The law says no public school is exempt.
Legal defense. The Attorney General has to defend any school sued over complying with the law, and the state pays the costs, judgments or settlements.
Timing. The law applies starting with the 2025–2026 school year.
Authors & sponsors
Primary authors: Sen. Phil King (R), SD 10, and 19 other Senate Republicans: Bettencourt, Birdwell, Campbell, Creighton, Flores, Hagenbuch, Hall, Hancock, Adam Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Kolkhorst, Middleton, Nichols, Parker, Paxton, Perry, Schwertner and Sparks
House sponsor: Rep. Candy Noble (R), HD 89
Joint sponsors: Rep. Brad Buckley (R), Rep. Jeff Leach (R), Rep. David Spiller (R), Rep. Richard Peña Raymond (D)
Votes
| Vote | Date | Yeas–Nays |
|---|---|---|
| Senate (passed) | Mar 19, 2025 | 20–11 |
| House (passed, amended) | May 25, 2025 | 82–46 |
| Senate concurs in House changes | May 28, 2025 | 21–10 |
Timeline
| Feb 10, 2025 | Filed in the Senate |
| Mar 19, 2025 | Passed the Senate |
| May 25, 2025 | Passed the House with an amendment |
| May 28, 2025 | Senate agreed to House change |
| Jun 20, 2025 | Signed by the Governor |
| Sep 1, 2025 | Took effect |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Full (en banc) Fifth Circuit upholds the law (No. 25-50695) |
| Aug 17, 2026 | Families petition the U.S. Supreme Court (No. 26-257) |
| Nov 10, 2026 | Texas’s response due |
Status & what to watch
Status: The law is in effect. Families challenging it lost before the full Fifth Circuit, which, as the petition describes it, held that Stone v. Graham (1980) is no longer good law. They have asked the Supreme Court to take the case in Nathan v. Alamo Heights ISD, No. 26-257.
What to watch: Texas’s response is due November 10, 2026, after the Court granted part of an extension request. After that, the Court will decide whether to hear the case.
Sources
- SB 10 bill history (Texas Legislature Online)
- SB 10 enrolled text, with certified vote counts
- SB 10 authors
- SB 10 sponsors
- Party affiliation, 89th Legislature (Legislative Reference Library)
- Supreme Court docket, No. 26-257 (Nathan v. Alamo Heights ISD)