SB 2964 allows voters who submit mail-in ballots to correct certain errors, such as missing signatures or incorrect addresses, in their ballot envelopes. If an early voting clerk discovers a defect, they must notify the voter within two days, explaining the error and offering two correction options: submitting a standard form by mail or visiting the clerk's office in person by the sixth day after election day. Voters may also choose to cancel their mail-in ballot application instead of correcting the error. The secretary of state will develop the corrective form, and clerks must apply these procedures uniformly to all affected mail-in ballots.
SB 522 amends Texas law to establish new pathways for out-of-state certified public accountants (CPAs) to obtain certification in Texas. It allows qualifying out-of-state CPAs to bypass certain Texas-specific requirements if they meet one of three criteria: holding a license from a state with comparable standards (verified by NASBA), meeting Texas' historical licensing rules, or having four years of relevant post-exam experience. The bill also requires these professionals to fulfill Texas' continuing education requirements for the three years preceding their application. This law, effective September 1, 2025, directly affects out-of-state CPAs seeking to practice in Texas without re-taking the full state licensing process.
SB 2629 updates Texas law governing condominium and property owners' associations. It requires associations to be organized as formal corporations (profit or nonprofit) before units can be sold, and mandates that all unit owners automatically become members. The bill allows virtual meetings via electronic or phone means with specific safeguards - ensuring all directors can communicate directly and preventing immediate voting on fines or suspensions without giving members a chance to speak. It also clarifies that boards can act via written consent without a meeting for non-sensitive issues, provided proper records are kept. This directly affects all Texas condominium and property owners' associations and their members.
This bill modifies Texas liquor laws to allow nonresident sellers with winery permits issued before May 1, 2010, to sell wine in specific Texas municipalities. It permits these sellers to operate only in cities with populations of 130,000-150,000, located in counties where one county has a population of 2-3 million. The bill also prohibits nonresident sellers from selling wine directly to the winery holding their permit. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.
SB 879 exempts drillers and operators of closed-loop geothermal injection wells from specific requirements under the Natural Resources Code when they hold a valid permit from the Railroad Commission of Texas. It specifically removes applicability of Sections 85.2021 and 91.142 of the Natural Resources Code for these operators. The exemption applies only to permits issued under the Railroad Commission’s rules, streamlining regulatory oversight for this type of geothermal activity. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects geothermal energy operators seeking permits for closed-loop systems.
SB 1008 clarifies that Texas counties, municipalities, and public health districts can only require permits for food businesses (like restaurants, food trucks, and mobile vendors) if state law already mandates them. It prevents local governments from charging duplicate fees for alcohol permits if businesses already paid fees to operate locally, and requires them to post all fee schedules online. The bill directly affects food service operators and local governments by standardizing permit and fee rules to align with state law. Businesses can now legally challenge local ordinances that violate specific state codes (e.g., Health & Safety Code sections 437.001-437.012). This aims to reduce conflicting regulations for food service businesses across Texas.
SB 1197 amends Texas Penal Code Section 42.15 to criminalize unauthorized operation of unmanned aircraft (drones) over licensed spaceports. It prohibits intentionally or knowingly operating drones that interfere with spaceport operations, cause contact with facilities, or disturb activities there. The law includes specific defenses for government entities, contractors, law enforcement, spaceport owners, or individuals with prior written authorization from spaceport operators or the Federal Aviation Administration. This directly affects drone operators near spaceports like SpaceX’s Starbase, requiring compliance with new safety restrictions to avoid criminal penalties.
SB 1619 creates new rules for schools and colleges regarding emergency medical treatments. It defines "epinephrine delivery devices" (including auto-injectors and nasal spray) and "medication for respiratory distress" (like albuterol), requiring schools to establish procedures for their storage, administration, and staff training. The bill mandates an advisory committee to review how schools handle these medications on campus. It directly affects all Texas public school districts, charter schools, private schools, and colleges. The law became effective immediately after being signed by the governor on May 19, 2025.
SB 1963 allows Texas electric utilities to recover costs from major weather events or natural disasters by issuing special bonds. It applies to utilities with system restoration costs totaling $50 million or more in a single year. The bill creates a process where utilities must apply to the Public Utility Commission for approval within 150 days, authorizing bond issuance and new "system restoration charges" on customer bills. Actual costs are reconciled later, with bill adjustments based on final expenses. This law took effect September 1, 2025.
SB 2314 creates "My Texas Future," an electronic platform (MyTexasFuture.org) to help Texas public high school students apply to colleges using a common application. It requires students to opt-in to share their data with colleges for direct admissions programs, with specific opt-out options for parents, emancipated students, or with counselor authorization. The platform must include links to the common application, direct admission listings, financial aid information, and post-secondary value assessments. Schools must annually notify students about creating profiles during registration, and colleges must prominently link to the platform on their admissions websites. This affects all Texas public high school students and institutions of higher education.
SB 1369 designates a specific segment of State Highway 11 in Morris County (between Daingerfield and Hughes Springs) as the "Army Staff Sergeant Samuel T. Castle Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway and at appropriate intermediate locations. This is a memorial designation with no substantive policy changes or funding impacts, solely honoring Staff Sergeant Samuel T. Castle.
SB 870 allows uniformed school marshals in Texas public schools, charter schools, private schools, and public junior colleges to openly carry handguns on school premises when wearing a uniform identifying them as marshals. The bill amends existing law to replace previous restrictions on "concealed" carry with this open-carry option, while maintaining requirements that marshals must follow written school board regulations and use only frangible duty ammunition approved by Texas law enforcement. It applies to all school marshals appointed by governing bodies and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill does not change who can serve as a school marshal or alter the requirement for firearms to be stored securely when not in use.
