The Texas House passed a bill requiring the Ten Commandments — using a specific, court‑tested text — be displayed in public school classrooms, after a long and often emotional floor debate.

Senate Bill 10, explained on the floor by Rep. Noble, frames the display as a recognition of the nation’s and state’s educational and judicial heritage. “The Ten Commandments were foundational to American educational system,” she told colleagues during floor remarks, tracing the documents’ use in early primers and readers.

Opponents argued the change introduces religious material into classrooms and risks alienating non‑Christian students and families. “I love the Ten Commandments,” Rep. Bryan Shaheen said, explaining he opposed the bill "not despite my faith, but because of it," and argued that imposing a religious text in classrooms would do more harm than good.

The floor saw dozens of amendments and questions: proposals to require local school board votes before posting, to allow multiple denominational versions, to notify parents, to require Braille copies for blind students, and to protect student free‑speech rights. Many of those amendments were debated and several were rejected; some procedural amendments requiring local notices or accessibility measures were considered and tabled or accepted on a case‑by‑case basis.

Supporters said the bill restores a historical tradition and uses wording already upheld in a monument case; critics said the classroom context is different from a historical monument and warned the law will invite litigation. Rep. Noble said the specific wording chosen matches an existing monument’s text and would avoid new court fights over wording; opponents pointed to Stone v. Graham and other precedents in arguing the classroom placement is legally distinct.

The House adopted the final bill on a roll‑call vote after multiple rounds of amendment votes. Final passage was recorded at 88 ayes, 49 nays. Backers said the step recognizes historical foundations and civic values; opponents said it risks politicizing classrooms and undermining religious freedom for students of other faiths or none.