Case: GSA Network v. Morath

4:25-cv-04090 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Filed Date: Aug. 28, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case is a constitutional challenge to Texas Senate Bill 12 (SB 12), arguing that it imposes sweeping and vague restrictions on constitutionally protected speech in public and charter schools. On August 28, 2025, the plaintiffs—the Genders and Sexualities Alliance Network, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, a teachers’ union, a high school student, and a teacher—filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against Mike Morath, in his capacity as the Comm…

Plaintiffs challenged four provisions of SB 12: the Club Provision, which prohibits public school clubs “based on sexual orientation or gender identity”; the DEI Provision, which prohibits assignment and pursuit of “diversity, equity, and inclusion duties” in public schools; the Social Transition Provision, which requires school districts to adopt policies prohibiting employees from “assisting” students with “social transitioning”; and the LGBT Curriculum Provision, which prohibits public school employees or third parties from providing “instruction, guidance, activities, or programming regarding sexual orientation or gender identity.” Plaintiffs challenged all four provisions under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, and also challenged the Club Provision under the federal Equal Access Act, 20 USC §4071.

Represented by the Transgender Law Center and the ACLU of Texas, plaintiffs sought injunctions to prevent enforcement of the challenged provisions, declaratory relief finding the challenged provisions to be unconstitutional, either facially or as applied to the plaintiffs, nominal damages for one of the plaintiffs, and attorneys’ fees. Plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction on

Plaintiffs amended their complaint and motion for a preliminary injunction on September 16 to add another high school student as a plaintiff. This plaintiff, a student in the Katy Independent School District, was the only individual plaintiff who did not use a pseudonym.

On February 20, 2026, Judge Eskridge granted plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction as unopposed, which he noted was “a curious result, as this is no doubt important litigation with respect to a newly enacted Texas statute.” He noted that none of the school districts had elected to oppose the motion and ordered the school districts to file statements of position as to whether they intended to defend SB 12. Judge Eskridge also declined to dismiss Katy Independent School District, finding that the school districts were responsible for implementing and enforcing SB 12. However, Commissioner Morath was dismissed based on a finding that plaintiffs lack standing to pursue action against Morath because they hadn’t shown that their alleged injuries were traceable to him or redressable by enjoining him.

On March 11, the Plano Independent School District asked the court to notify the Texas Attorney General of the constitutional challenge to SB 12, as required by Fed. R. Civ. P. 5.1(b). The school district also filed a statement of position declining to defend most portions of SB 12. On March 13, the Katy and Houston Independent School Districts also filed statements of position declining to defend SB 12.

The Texas Attorney General filed a notice of intent to intervene in the case to defend the constitutionality of SB 12 on March 13. At a status conference on April 2, Judge Eskridge ordered the state to file a motion to intervene by May 2.

The case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Matthew Ishimaru (3/29/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71225173/parties/gsa-network-v-houston-independent-school-district/

Judge(s)

Eskridge, Charles R (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Buser-Clancy, Thomas Paul (Texas)

Corning, Sarah Frances (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Crawford, Charles Joseph (Texas)

Farrell, William Howard (Texas)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Judge(s)

Eskridge, Charles R (Texas)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Buser-Clancy, Thomas Paul (Texas)

Corning, Sarah Frances (Texas)

Harris, Ashley Alcantara (Texas)

Kempf, Chloe Nicole (Texas)

Kennedy, Nicholas O (Texas)

Klosterboer, Brian (Texas)

Lett, Charelle Nicole (Texas)

Meerkamper, Shawn Thomas (Texas)

Melchert, Dale (Texas)

Noor, Megan (Texas)

Pinon, Adriana Cecilia (Texas)

Saldivar, Edgar (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Crawford, Charles Joseph (Texas)

Farrell, William Howard (Texas)

Gilbert, Christopher B (Texas)

Gould, Alexa Taylor (Texas)

Henry, Lucas Christopher (Texas)

Johnson, John Richard (Texas)

Mahendru, Roshni (Texas)

Nichols, Eric J (Texas)

Other

McFarland, Steven Timothy (Texas)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 4:25-cv-04090	Original Complaint	Aug. 28, 2025	Aug. 28, 2025 Complaint
32 4:25-cv-04090	First Amended Complaint	Sept. 16, 2025	Sept. 16, 2025 Complaint
89 4:25-cv-04090	Opinion and Order Dismissing Commissioner of Texas Education Agency and Granting Preliminary Injunction	Feb. 20, 2026	Feb. 20, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 483018

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71225173/gsa-network-v-houston-independent-school-district/

Last updated July 28, 2026, 5:33 p.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Aug. 28, 2025	COMPLAINT against Houston Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, Mike Morath, Plano Independent School District (Filing fee $ 405 receipt number ATXSDC-34031516) filed by Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, GSA Network, Ruth Roe, Polly Poe. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 08/28/2025) 1 Civil Cover Sheet View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
2	Aug. 28, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Ashley Harris on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Harris, Ashley) (Entered: 08/28/2025)	RECAP
3	Aug. 28, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Adriana Pinon on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Pinon, Adriana) (Entered: 08/28/2025)	RECAP
4	Aug. 28, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Chloe Kempf on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Kempf, Chloe) (Entered: 08/28/2025)	RECAP
5	Aug. 28, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Charelle Lett on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Lett, Charelle) (Entered: 08/28/2025)	RECAP
6	Aug. 28, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Edgar Saldivar on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Saldivar, Edgar) (Entered: 08/28/2025)	RECAP
7	Aug. 28, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Sarah Corning on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Corning, Sarah) (Entered: 08/28/2025)	RECAP
8	Aug. 28, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas Buser-Clancy on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Buser-Clancy, Thomas) (Entered: 08/28/2025)	RECAP
9	Aug. 28, 2025	Request for Issuance of Summons as to Houston Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, Mike Morath, Plano Independent School District, filed. (Buser-Clancy, Thomas) (Entered: 08/28/2025)	RECAP
10	Aug. 28, 2025	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/18/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Senate Bill 12, # 2 Exhibit Declaration of Maya LaFlamme Washington, # 3 Exhibit Declaration of Cameron Samuels, # 4 Exhibit Declaration of Ruth Roe, # 5 Exhibit Declaration of Polly Poe) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 08/28/2025) 1 Exhibit Senate Bill 12 View on PACER 2 Exhibit Declaration of Maya LaFlamme Washington View on PACER 3 Exhibit Declaration of Cameron Samuels View on PACER 4 Exhibit Declaration of Ruth Roe View on PACER 5 Exhibit Declaration of Polly Poe View on PACER	RECAP
11	Aug. 29, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Dale Melchert (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34037646) by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/19/2025. (Melchert, Dale) (Entered: 08/29/2025)	RECAP
12	Aug. 29, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Megan Z. Noor (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34037861) by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/19/2025. (Noor, Megan) (Entered: 08/29/2025)	RECAP
13	Aug. 29, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Shawn Thomas Meerkamper (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34038111) by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Ruth Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/19/2025. (Meerkamper, Shawn) (Entered: 08/29/2025)	RECAP
14	Aug. 29, 2025	CLERKS NOTICE Regarding Consent to Jurisdiction of Magistrate Judge. Parties notified, filed. (cng4) (Entered: 08/29/2025)	RECAP
	Aug. 29, 2025	Referral Judge Selected
	Aug. 29, 2025	Referral Judge Selected: Magistrate Judge Peter Bray randomly selected to receive referrals. The selected Magistrate Judge is not assigned to this case until a District Judge refers the case or a motion or the parties consent to jurisdiction of the Magistrate Judge. Once a referral has been made, the name of the referral judge will appear at the top of the docket sheet. (cng4)
15	Sept. 1, 2025	Summons Issued as to Houston Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, Mike Morath, Plano Independent School District. Issued summons delivered to plaintiff by NEF, filed. (jld4) (Entered: 09/01/2025)	RECAP
16	Sept. 3, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Charles Crawford on behalf of Plano Independent School District, filed. (Crawford, Charles) (Entered: 09/03/2025)	RECAP
17	Sept. 3, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Lucas C. Henry on behalf of Plano Independent School District, filed. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 09/03/2025)	RECAP
18	Sept. 4, 2025	ORDER re: The parties are ORDERED to (i) confer on a schedule for briefing and argument, and (ii) submit joint or individual status reports in that regard when ready. Normal procedural deadlines shall otherwise apply unless and until an alternate order is requested and obtained. (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/04/2025)	RECAP
19	Sept. 8, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher B. Gilbert on behalf of Katy Independent School District, filed. (Gilbert, Christopher) (Entered: 09/08/2025)	RECAP
20	Sept. 9, 2025	ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas on 09-03-2025 re: Summons In a Civil Complaint, Notice of Appearance, Motions to Appear, ETC, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)	RECAP
21	Sept. 9, 2025	ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas on 09-03-2025 re: Summons In a Civil Complaint, Notice of Appearance, Motions to Appear, ETC, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)	RECAP
22	Sept. 9, 2025	ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas on 09-03-2025 re: Summons In a Civil Complaint, Notice of Appearance, Motions to Appear, ETC, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)	RECAP
23	Sept. 9, 2025	ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas on 09-03-2025 re: Summons In a Civil Complaint, Notice of Appearance, Motions to Appear, ETC, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)	RECAP
24	Sept. 9, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Nicholas Kennedy on behalf of GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 09/09/2025)	RECAP
25	Sept. 9, 2025	Unopposed MOTION Scheduling Order by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 9/30/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Scheduling Order) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/09/2025) 1 Proposed Order Proposed Scheduling Order View on RECAP	RECAP
26	Sept. 10, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by William H. Farrell on behalf of Mike Morath, filed. (Farrell, William) (Entered: 09/10/2025)	RECAP
27	Sept. 11, 2025	Unopposed MOTION Motion to Proceed Pseudononymously by Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/2/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order to Proceed Pseudonymously) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/11/2025) 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order to Proceed Pseudonymously View on RECAP	RECAP
28	Sept. 12, 2025	Unopposed MOTION for Protective Order by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/3/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Protective Order) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/12/2025) 1 Proposed Order Proposed Protective Order View on PACER	RECAP
29	Sept. 12, 2025	Unopposed MOTION to Exceed Word Count by GSA Network, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/3/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Leave to Exceed Word Count) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/12/2025) 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Leave to Exceed Word Count View on PACER	RECAP
30	Sept. 15, 2025	ORDER granting 25 Unopposed MOTION Scheduling Order ( Deadline for Plaintiffs to amend complaint and/or motion for preliminary injunction due by 9/16/2025. Deadline for Defendants' responsive pleadings due by 10/16/2025. Deadline for Plaintiffs' reply in support due 11/5/2025. Preliminary Injunction Hearing set for 11/25/2025 at 02:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge) (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/15/2025)	RECAP
31	Sept. 16, 2025	NOTICE of Resetting. Parties notified.Preliminary Injunction Hearing set for 11/19/2025 at 02:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge, filed. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	RECAP
32	Sept. 16, 2025	First AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants filed by Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, GSA Network, Polly Poe, Texas AFT, Adrian Moore. (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Clearinghouse
33	Sept. 16, 2025	Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by GSA Network, Adrian Moore, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, Texas AFT, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/7/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit #1: SB12 Language, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit #2: Decl. of Maya LaFlamme Washington, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit #3: Decl. of Cameron Samuels, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit #4: Decl. of Ruth Roe, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit #5: Decl. of Polly Poe, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit #6: Decl. of Texas AFT, # 7 Exhibit Exhibit #7: Decl. of Julie Johnson) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 09/16/2025) 1 Exhibit Exhibit #1: SB12 Language View on PACER 2 Exhibit Exhibit #2: Decl. of Maya LaFlamme Washington View on PACER 3 Exhibit Exhibit #3: Decl. of Cameron Samuels View on PACER 4 Exhibit Exhibit #4: Decl. of Ruth Roe View on PACER 5 Exhibit Exhibit #5: Decl. of Polly Poe View on PACER 6 Exhibit Exhibit #6: Decl. of Texas AFT View on PACER 7 Exhibit Exhibit #7: Decl. of Julie Johnson View on RECAP	RECAP
34	Sept. 17, 2025	ORDER for Initial Pretrial and Scheduling Conference and Order to Disclose Interested Persons. Initial Conference set for 11/12/2025 at 02:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge. (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) (Attachments: # 1 Attachments) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/17/2025) 1 Attachments View on RECAP	RECAP
35	Sept. 18, 2025	MOTION to Reset Hearing on Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Mike Morath, filed. Motion Docket Date 10/9/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Farrell, William) (Entered: 09/18/2025)	RECAP
36	Sept. 18, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Eric J.R. Nichols on behalf of Houston Independent School District, filed. (Nichols, Eric) (Entered: 09/18/2025)	RECAP
37	Sept. 19, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by JR Johnson on behalf of Houston Independent School District, filed. (Johnson, John) (Entered: 09/19/2025)	RECAP
38	Sept. 19, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Roshni Mahendru on behalf of Houston Independent School District, filed. (Mahendru, Roshni) (Entered: 09/19/2025)	RECAP
39	Sept. 22, 2025	ORDER granting 29 Motion to exceed word count.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/24/2025)	RECAP
41	Sept. 22, 2025	ORDER granting 27 Unopposed MOTION Motion to Proceed Pseudononymously (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/24/2025)	RECAP
40	Sept. 24, 2025	PROTECTIVE ORDER granting 28 Unopposed MOTION for Protective Order (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/24/2025)	RECAP
42	Sept. 24, 2025	ORDER granting 13 Motion for Shawn Thomas Meerkamper to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/25/2025)	RECAP
43	Sept. 24, 2025	ORDER granting 12 Motion for Megan Zakaya Furneaux Noor to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/25/2025)	RECAP
44	Sept. 24, 2025	ORDER granting 11 Motion for Dale Melchert to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/25/2025)	RECAP
45	Sept. 26, 2025	SCHEDULING and DOCKET CONTROL ORDER. Amended Pleadings due by 1/13/2026. Joinder of Parties due by 12/12/2025 Pltf Expert Report due by 7/14/2026. Deft Expert Report due by 8/13/2026. Discovery due by 9/29/2026. Mediation due by 12/15/2026. Dispositive Motion Filing due by 10/29/2026. Non-Dispositive Motion Filing due by 10/29/2026. Joint Pretrial Order due by 1/14/2027. Docket Call set for 2/23/2027 at 01:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge. (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/26/2025)	RECAP
46	Sept. 30, 2025	ORDER re: Injunction Hearing set for 12/1/2025 at 02:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 09/30/2025)	RECAP
47	Oct. 2, 2025	Disclosure of Interested Parties by GSA Network, Adrian Moore, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, filed. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 10/02/2025)	RECAP
48	Oct. 2, 2025	CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES by Mike Morath, filed. (Farrell, William) (Entered: 10/02/2025)	RECAP
49	Oct. 2, 2025	CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES by Katy Independent School District, filed. (Gilbert, Christopher) (Entered: 10/02/2025)	RECAP
50	Oct. 2, 2025	CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES by Houston Independent School District, filed. (Johnson, John) (Entered: 10/02/2025)	RECAP
51	Oct. 6, 2025	CERTIFICATE OF INTERESTED PARTIES by Plano Independent School District, filed. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 10/06/2025)	RECAP
52	Oct. 14, 2025	Unopposed MOTION to Exceed Word Limit by Mike Morath, filed. Motion Docket Date 11/4/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Farrell, William) (Entered: 10/14/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
53	Oct. 16, 2025	MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by Katy Independent School District, filed. Motion Docket Date 11/6/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A) (Gilbert, Christopher) (Entered: 10/16/2025)	RECAP
54	Oct. 16, 2025	RESPONSE to 33 Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Katy Independent School District. (Gilbert, Christopher) (Entered: 10/16/2025)	RECAP
55	Oct. 16, 2025	ANSWER to 32 Amended Complaint/Counterclaim/Crossclaim etc. by Plano Independent School District, filed. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 10/16/2025)	RECAP
56	Oct. 16, 2025	RESPONSE to 33 Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Plano Independent School District. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 10/16/2025)	RECAP
57	Oct. 16, 2025	MOTION to Dismiss 33 Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Mike Morath, filed. Motion Docket Date 11/6/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order) (Farrell, William) (Entered: 10/16/2025) 1 Proposed Order View on PACER	RECAP
58	Oct. 16, 2025	ANSWER to 32 Amended Complaint/Counterclaim/Crossclaim etc. by Houston Independent School District, filed. (Nichols, Eric) (Entered: 10/16/2025)	RECAP
59	Oct. 16, 2025	Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Houston Independent School District, filed. Motion Docket Date 11/6/2025. (Nichols, Eric) (Entered: 10/16/2025)	RECAP
60	Oct. 27, 2025	NOTICE JOINT NOTICE AND STIPULATION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION HEARING by GSA Network, Adrian Moore, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, Texas AFT, filed. (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 10/27/2025)	RECAP
61	Oct. 29, 2025	Joint JOINT DISCOVERY/CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN by GSA Network, Adrian Moore, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, Texas AFT, filed. (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 10/29/2025)	RECAP
62	Oct. 29, 2025	Unopposed MOTION Motion to Exceed Word Count - Reply Brief by GSA Network, Adrian Moore, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, Texas AFT, filed. Motion Docket Date 11/19/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Leave to Exceed Word Count - Reply Brief) (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 10/29/2025)	RECAP
64	Nov. 4, 2025	ORDER granting 62 Motion to exceed word count.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 11/06/2025)	RECAP
63	Nov. 5, 2025	RESPONSE in Opposition to 57 MOTION to Dismiss 33 Amended MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, filed by GSA Network, Adrian Moore, Polly Poe, Rebecca Roe, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, Texas AFT. (Klosterboer, Brian) (Entered: 11/05/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 6, 2025	Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief
65	Nov. 11, 2025	REPLY in Support of 53 MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM, filed by Katy Independent School District. (Gilbert, Christopher) (Entered: 11/11/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 11, 2025	Terminate Deadlines (PUBLIC ENTRY)
	Nov. 11, 2025	Initial Conference set for 11/12/2025 at 2:30 PM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge is CANCELLED. Further order of the Court to enter. (jmg4)
66	Nov. 13, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for John Treat (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number CTXSDC-34501019) by John Treat, filed. Motion Docket Date 12/4/2025. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	RECAP
67	Nov. 13, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for James Gilmore (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34501873) by James A. Gilmore, filed. Motion Docket Date 12/4/2025. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	RECAP
68	Nov. 13, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Andrew Crousore (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34505112) by Andrew P. Crousore, filed. Motion Docket Date 12/4/2025. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 11/13/2025)	RECAP
69	Nov. 14, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Angela Vigil (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34507167) by Angela C. Vigil, filed. Motion Docket Date 12/5/2025. (Kennedy, Nicholas) (Entered: 11/14/2025)	RECAP
70	Nov. 18, 2025	NOTICE of Resetting. Parties notified. Injunction Hearing reset for 12/10/2025 at 09:30 AM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge, filed. (jmg4) (Entered: 11/18/2025)	RECAP
71	Nov. 24, 2025	MOTION to Appear Pro Hac Vice for Steven T. McFarland (Fee Paid: $100, receipt number ATXSDC-34572700) by Christian Legal Society, filed. Motion Docket Date 12/15/2025. (McFarland, Steven) (Entered: 11/24/2025)	RECAP
72	Dec. 5, 2025	ORDER granting 52 Motion to exceed the word limit.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 12/05/2025)	RECAP
73	Dec. 5, 2025	ORDER re: Injunction Hearing set for 12/18/2025 at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 9F before Judge Charles Eskridge (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 12/05/2025)	RECAP
74	Dec. 17, 2025	ORDER granting 69 Motion for Angela C Vigil to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	RECAP
75	Dec. 17, 2025	ORDER granting 67 Motion for James A Gilmore to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	RECAP
76	Dec. 17, 2025	ORDER granting 66 Motion for John Treat to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	RECAP
77	Dec. 17, 2025	ORDER granting 68 Motion for Andrew Crousore to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	RECAP
78	Dec. 17, 2025	ORDER granting 71 Motion for Steven McFarland to Appear Pro Hac Vice Note: Instructions to request Texas Southern CM/ECF registration through PACER are found here.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	RECAP
79	Dec. 18, 2025	Unopposed MOTION for Leave to File Amicus brief by Christian Legal Society, filed. Motion Docket Date 1/8/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Amicus brief) (McFarland, Steven) (Entered: 12/18/2025)	RECAP
80	Dec. 18, 2025	Minute entry for PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION and MOTION HEARING before Judge Charles Eskridge on December 18, 2025. All parties present and represented by counsel. The Court addressed the motion by Plaintiff for preliminary injunction. Dkt 33. Also addressed were the separate motions by Defendants Mike Morath and Katy ISD to dismiss. Dkts 53 & 57. The motions were TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT. An order will follow in due course. Appearances: Nicholas O Kennedy, Brian Klosterboer, Ashley Alcantara Harris, Adriana Cecilia Pinon, Chloe Nicole Kempf, Charelle Nicole Lett, Edgar Saldivar, Sarah Frances Corning, Thomas Paul Buser-Clancy, Dale Melchert, Megan Noor, Shawn Thomas Meerkamper, Eric J R Nichols, John Richard Johnson, II, Roshni Mahendru, Christopher B Gilbert, Alexa Taylor Gould, William Howard Farrell, Lucas Christopher Henry, Charles Joseph Crawford.(ERO: used), filed. (jmg4) (Entered: 12/22/2025)	RECAP
81	Dec. 23, 2025	ORDER granting 79 Unopposed motion by Christian Legal Society forleave to file a brief amicus curiae. (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (dm4) (Main Document 81 replaced on 12/23/2025) (dm4). (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
82	Dec. 23, 2025	BRIEF AMICUS CURIAE OF CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY in Support of Plaintiffs by Christian Legal Society, filed. (dm4) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
83	Dec. 23, 2025	ORDER re: At hearing, Defendant Houston ISD read into the record a stipulation reached with Plaintiffs regarding the appropriate scope of any preliminary injunction, if entered. It is ORDERED that a written copy of that stipulation be filed on the docket by December 29, 2025. (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 12/23/2025)	RECAP
84	Dec. 29, 2025	STIPULATION re: SCOPE OF RELIEF by Houston Independent School District, filed. (Nichols, Eric) (Entered: 12/29/2025)	RECAP
85	Jan. 8, 2026	AO 435 TRANSCRIPT REQUEST by Judge Charles Eskridge for Transcript of Preliminary Injunction Hearing on 12/18/2025 before Judge Charles Eskridge. Daily (24 hours) turnaround requested. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Trinity Transcription Services, filed. (jmg4) Electronically forwarded to Trinity Transcription Services on 1/8/2026. Estimated completion date: 1/9/2026. Modified on 1/8/2026 (smg4). (Entered: 01/08/2026)	RECAP
86	Jan. 8, 2026	AO 435 TRANSCRIPT REQUEST by Brian Klosterboer for Transcript of Preliminary Injunction Hearing on 12/18/2026 before Judge Charles Eskridge. Ordinary (30 days) turnaround requested. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Trinity Transcription Services, filed. (Klosterboer, Brian) Copy request electronically forwarded to Trinity Transcription Services on 1/8/2026. Estimated completion date: 2/7/2026. Modified on 1/8/2026 (smg4). (Entered: 01/08/2026)	RECAP
87	Jan. 14, 2026	TRANSCRIPT re: INJUNCTION HEARING held on December 18, 2025 before Judge Charles Eskridge. Court Reporter/Transcriber TRINITY TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES. Ordering Party Jenelle Gonzalez Release of Transcript Restriction set for 4/14/2026., filed. (cbattaglia, ) (Entered: 01/14/2026)	RECAP
88	Jan. 14, 2026	Notice of Filing of Official Transcript re: 87 Transcript,. Parties notified, filed. (SDTX_CMECF_AutoDocket, ) (Entered: 01/14/2026)	RECAP
89	Feb. 20, 2026	OPINION AND ORDER DISMISSING COMMISSIONER OF TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY AND GRANTING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION re: The motion to dismiss by Defendant Commissioner Mike Morath is GRANTED for lack of standing Dkt 57. He is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE from th is action. The motion to dismiss by Defendant Katy ISD is DENIED. Dkt 53. The motion by Plaintiffs for preliminary injunction is GRANTED IN PART as unopposed. Dkt 33. Mike Morath (in an official capacity as Commissioner of Texas Education Agency) terminated.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4)	Clearinghouse
90	Feb. 20, 2026	PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION (Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 02/20/2026)	RECAP
91	Feb. 25, 2026	Unopposed MOTION for Extension of Time File Statements of Position by Houston Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, Plano Independent School District, filed. Motion Docket Date 3/18/2026. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 02/25/2026)	RECAP
92	March 2, 2026	ORDER granting 91 Motion for Extension of Time. The statements of position must be filed no later than March 13, 2026.(Signed by Judge Charles Eskridge) Parties notified. (jmg4) (Entered: 03/03/2026)	RECAP
93	March 11, 2026	Joint MOTION for Entry of Order re: Agreed Judgment and Permanent Injunction by Plano Independent School District, filed. Motion Docket Date 4/1/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Order Agreed Judgment) (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 03/11/2026) 1 Proposed Order Agreed Judgment View on PACER	RECAP
94	March 11, 2026	STATEMENT of Position and Request for Certification to the Attorney General of Texas re: 89 Order,,, Add and Terminate Parties,, by Plano Independent School District, filed. (Henry, Lucas) (Entered: 03/11/2026)	RECAP
95	March 13, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by William H. Farrell on behalf of State of Texas, filed. (Farrell, William) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Texas

Case Type(s):

Education

Speech and Religious Freedom

Key Dates

Filing Date: Aug. 28, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are two nonprofit organizations, a labor union, two students, and an educator that speak about issues relating to race, gender identity, and sexual orientation inside and beyond Texas schools but are inhibited from doing so by S.B. 12.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

ACLU Affiliates (any)

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

School District

Houston Independent School District