Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 888: Relating to the attorney general's defense of a district or county attorney against certain lawsuits in federal court.

SB 888 allows the Texas Attorney General to defend district or county attorneys in federal lawsuits under specific conditions. It applies when a lawsuit targets an attorney in their official role, relates to enforcing a state law, and the attorney formally requests the Attorney General's help. The law only covers federal cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior cases following existing rules. This change streamlines defense coordination for local prosecutors facing federal challenges tied to state law enforcement.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 55: Redesignating Poteet as the official Strawberry Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 55 is a ceremonial resolution designating Poteet, Texas, as the official "Strawberry Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It formally recognizes Poteet's historical connection to strawberry farming, dating back to 1911, and its annual Strawberry Festival - which draws 100,000 visitors and contributes $12 million annually to the local economy. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or regulations; it is purely symbolic, reaffirming a longstanding community tradition. This designation aligns with Texas Government Code Section 391.003(e), which limits such designations to a 10-year term.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 71: Designating La Salle County as the official Wild Hog Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

This bill designates La Salle County as Texas' official "Wild Hog Capital" for 10 years, ending in 2035. It formally recognizes the county's cultural connection to wild hog hunting and its annual Wild Hog Cook-Off event, which began in 1981 and supports local tourism and ranching. The resolution, passed as a ceremonial designation under state law, does not create new regulations or funding but honors the county's economic and recreational ties to wild hog hunting. It directly affects La Salle County residents and businesses benefiting from this tradition.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 80: Designating Brenham as the official Ice Cream Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 80 is a ceremonial resolution designating Brenham as Texas' official "Ice Cream Capital" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It directly recognizes Brenham's historical and economic ties to Blue Bell Creameries, the state's iconic ice cream manufacturer founded there in 1907. The resolution cites Blue Bell's role as a major employer, tourist attraction (projecting 300,000 visitors annually), and contributor to Brenham's culinary heritage. This designation, effective immediately after the governor signed it on May 24, 2025, has no regulatory or financial impact - it is purely symbolic recognition under Texas Government Code Section 391.003(e).

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 74: Designating Carthage as the official Country Music Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

This ceremonial resolution designates Carthage as Texas' official Country Music Capital for a 10-year period ending in 2035, recognizing its cultural significance through the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, local music legends like Tex Ritter and Jim Reeves, and annual events such as the Classic Country Music Festival. It directly affects Carthage by formally honoring its role in preserving country music history and promoting tourism. The designation is a symbolic recognition with no new funding or regulatory requirements, lasting until 2035 per Section 391.003(e) of the Texas Government Code.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 467: Relating to the procedure for the dissolution of the Cedar Creek Hospital District and the disposition of district money.

HB 467 provides a legal process for dissolving the Cedar Creek Hospital District and using its remaining funds to establish a nursing scholarship. The bill allows Kaufman, Van Zandt, and Henderson County judges to call an election if the district no longer provides medical care, has vacant board positions, no debt, and only money as assets. If voters approve, the district dissolves, and funds are split equally among the three counties to create the Andrew Gibbs Memorial Nursing Scholarship. This directly affects the hospital district and the counties involved, replacing district operations with a scholarship program. The bill became law immediately after the governor signed it on May 24, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 2550: Relating to an exemption of the transfer of certain rights in water from certain disclosure requirements applicable to the transfer of certain interests in real property.

SB 2550 requires sellers of coastal property in Texas to include specific legal notices in real estate contracts. It directly affects buyers and sellers of property adjacent to tidally influenced waters or seaward of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The bill mandates disclosures about shifting property boundaries due to coastal changes, restrictions on state-owned submerged lands, and the need for legal advice regarding coastal property risks. These notices replace standard property transfer disclosures for affected coastal properties. The law took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 50: Designating Galveston as the official Mardi Gras Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 50 designates Galveston as Texas' official Mardi Gras Capital for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes Galveston's historical Mardi Gras celebrations, which began in 1867 and evolved into a major annual event spanning two weeks before Lent. The designation, effective until 2035, formally acknowledges Galveston's role in preserving this cultural tradition through groups like the Knights of Momus and the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce. As a concurrent resolution (not a law with funding or regulations), it has no direct policy impact beyond this ceremonial recognition.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 6: Designating Galveston as the official Juneteenth Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 6 designates Galveston, Texas, as the state's official Juneteenth Capital for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes Galveston's historical role as the site where Union forces announced the end of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865, under General Order No. 3. The designation, authorized under Section 391.003(e) of the Texas Government Code, does not create new programs or funding but formally honors the city's significance in Juneteenth's origin story. It follows Texas becoming the first state to make Juneteenth a holiday in 1979 and the federal recognition of Juneteenth National Independence Day in 2021.

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 1502: Relating to the authority of the governing body of a school district to adopt an ad valorem tax rate that exceeds the district's voter-approval tax rate.

SB 1502 prohibits Texas school districts from adopting an ad valorem tax rate exceeding their voter-approved rate if the district previously adopted such a rate, held a voter election on it, and voters rejected it. This law directly affects school districts and their voters by requiring formal voter approval before raising taxes above previously approved limits. The key provision adds a new restriction to tax code, preventing districts from circumventing voter rejections of higher tax rates. The bill became law on May 24, 2025, and applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Education

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 2774: Relating to the classification of certain entities as primarily engaged in retail trade for purposes of the franchise tax.

This bill amends Texas' franchise tax code to clarify which business activities qualify as "retail trade" for tax classification purposes. It specifically adds several rental activities to the definition, including apparel rentals, tool/leisure equipment leasing, heavy construction equipment rentals, and industrial uniform/linen rentals, as classified under the 1987 federal Standard Industrial Classification Manual. Businesses engaged in these specific rental sectors will now be classified as primarily in retail trade for franchise tax reporting. The change applies only to tax reports due on or after January 1, 2027.

signed · Texas · House May 22, 2025

HB 5669: Relating to the name and powers of the Sabine Pass Port Authority; altering the terms of the authority's port commission; altering the authority to issue bonds.

HB 5669 renames the "Sabine Pass Port Authority" to "Port of Sabine Pass [Port Authority]" in Texas law and adjusts its governance structure. The bill changes the governing commission to have five members serving staggered four-year terms (instead of two-year terms), with elections held in even and odd years. It also clarifies the authority's power to issue bonds for port projects. This bill directly affects the Sabine Pass Port Authority's operations, leadership structure, and financial flexibility, impacting Jefferson County's port management.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Bill results