Overview
- Paxton, who announced the probe Thursday, ordered 29 districts to turn over records verifying Ten Commandments displays and proof of school‑board votes on optional prayer periods.
- The demand tests compliance with SB10 and SB11, which require acceptance of donated posters and a board vote by March 1 on whether to set time for prayer or scripture reading.
- The list includes Austin, Houston, Cypress‑Fairbanks, Fort Bend, Conroe and Galveston ISDs, and Paxton has already sued Galveston after its board rejected posting the displays.
- District responses vary, with Cypress‑Fairbanks planning a uniform rollout before the 2026–27 school year and Waco saying it has complied and voted down a prayer period.
- The Fifth Circuit’s 9–8 ruling in April upheld SB10 for several litigating districts, and plaintiffs led by the ACLU say they plan to seek U.S. Supreme Court review.