Gov. Greg Abbott to sign SB 2 into law Saturday, establishing private school vouchers in Texas​on May 3, 2025 at 6:56 pm

AUSTIN, Texas — Watch on WFAA+: We will stream Gov. Abbott signing SB 2 on WFAA+. Coverage starts at 2 p.m. Here is how to download WFAA+ to your TV.

After a multiyear battle to pass school choice, a bill establishing a $1 billion voucher program in Texas about to become law.

Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2 last week on an 86-61 vote. A companion bill made its way through the House a week prior with a 144-4 vote. 

Now, the bill just needs the governor’s signature to become law.

Gov. Greg Abbott has previously stated his intent to sign the bill, but we now have an exact date. According to a release from the governor’s office, Abbott will sign SB 2 into law around 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the Governor’s Mansion.

Once signed, a program will be established to allow public funds to be used by Texas students for private school tuition, homeschooling or virtual learning.

In the first year, the program will be capped at $1 billion, providing funding for up to 90,000 students. By 2030, the program could grow to nearly $4.5 billion per year. The program allocates $10,000 for students who are accepted and $30,000 for students with disabilities. Homeschoolers can get up to $2,000 for approved expenses.

Abbott will be joined at the signing by Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, House Speaker Dustin Burrows and other proponents of the school choice program.

Among those present will be Bishop Michael Olson of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth. Bishop Olson has been a vocal advocate for the bill and its potential benefits for private Catholic schools.

“The passage of SB 2 into law is a great victory for parental rights in education of their children,” Bishop Olson said in a statement. “Unlike a voucher system that places government money directly into schools, SB2 provides Educational Savings Accounts for parents who qualify to spend towards the education of their children in any accredited school—including but not limited to Catholic schools.”

Bishop Olson said enrollment at Catholic schools has declined nationwide. For the Diocese of Fort Worth, he said they are a little over 60% capacity in all their schools, particularly those in the inner city. He believes the bill could draw more families to Catholic education.

Though the bill has been advertised as beneficial to families who could not have previously afforded to send their children to private schools, opponents argue it is driving money, resources and students away from public schools. Critics also argue the state will be putting money back into the pockets of wealthy families whose children are already enrolled in private schools.

Around 30 states have established voucher programs, but Texas is one of the largest to join the fray.