Bill to Guarantee Texas Inmates A/C by 2032 Advances

April 24, 2025 – ​A Texas House panel has approved House Bill 3006, mandating the installation of air conditioning in all state prisons by the end of 2032. Introduced by Rep. Terry Canales (D-Edinburg), the bill proposes a phased implementation, limiting expenditures to $100 million every two years and permitting the use of inmate labor to reduce costs. This legislative move follows a federal judge’s recent ruling that deemed the extreme heat conditions in Texas prisons unconstitutional .​

Currently, approximately two-thirds of Texas prison inmates are housed in facilities without full air conditioning, where indoor temperatures often exceed 100°F. These conditions have led to numerous heat-related illnesses and deaths among inmates. Advocates argue that the absence of climate control not only endangers lives but also results in significant legal expenses for the state due to lawsuits. Rep. Canales emphasized that the bill aims to expedite the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s (TDCJ) current timeline of 25 to 30 years for full air conditioning implementation .​

The bill has garnered support from various advocacy groups and religious organizations, including Texas Baptists, who highlight the moral imperative of ensuring humane conditions for incarcerated individuals. The legislation now awaits further consideration by the full House.