Senate Bill
SB 138
Pro-LGBTQ
Recognizing persons who separated from military service solely on the basis of sexual orientation as honorably discharged veterans under state law, including entitlement to all benefits, rights, privileges, and immunities provided under state law to those veterans
Filed by Sen. José Menéndez
Why it matters: Would recognize people who left the military solely because of their sexual orientation as honorably discharged veterans under state law, entitled to state veterans' benefits.
Pre-filed on Nov 9, 2026. Bills are sent to committees after the session opens on Jan 12, 2027.
The road to becoming law
- Filed Nov 9, 2026
- Sent to a Senate committee
- Senate committee hearing
- Approved by the Senate committee
- Passed the Senate
- Sent to a House committee
- House committee hearing
- Approved by the House committee
- Passed the House
- Sent to the Governor
- Signed by the Governor
- Takes effect
Session at a glance: 90th Legislature, Regular Session
Pre-filing period: the session starts on Jan 12, 2027, in 62 days.
- Nov 9, 2026 Bill pre-filing opens
- Jan 12, 2027 Session convenes (day 1)
- Mar 12, 2027 Last day to file most bills (day 60)
- May 31, 2027 Session ends, "sine die" (day 140)
- Jun 20, 2027 Governor's deadline to act on bills passed in the last 10 days
Official caption
Relating to recognizing persons who separated from military service solely on the basis of sexual orientation as honorably discharged veterans under state law, including entitlement to all benefits, rights, privileges, and immunities provided under state law to those veterans. (Introduced version)
Filed by
- Author
- Sen. José Menéndez
Names and chambers come from the Legislature's author reports. Each name opens the bills on our tracker that lawmaker filed or joined. Being listed is a fact about who filed or joined the bill; it is not part of any candidate's record on this site.
Committees and related bills
- HB 224 by Gervin-Hawkins (identical companion)
Every official action
| Date | Where | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 9, 2026 | Senate | Filed |
| Nov 9, 2026 | Senate | Received by the Secretary of the Senate |
Official sources
Checked against the Legislature's data Nov 11, 2026 at 6:47 AM (Central). Data: Texas Legislature Online, Texas Legislative Council.
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