Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 513: Relating to a rural community-based care pilot program.

SB 513 establishes a pilot program to expand community-based child welfare services in rural Texas counties meeting specific population criteria (at least two-thirds of counties in a region having 50,000 or fewer residents). The bill requires the state child welfare department to partner with a locally selected lead entity - either a community nonprofit with resident-led governance or a local government - to implement the program. Key provisions include prioritizing community engagement, improving child welfare outcomes through innovative service delivery, and developing a sustainable model for rural areas. The program became effective September 1, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the Governor’s signature.

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 487: Relating to the confidentiality of identifying information of victims of certain offenses.

SB 487 protects the confidentiality of identifying information for victims of specific crimes, directly affecting individuals who experience stalking (under Penal Code §42.072), invasive visual recording (§21.15), or indecent assault (§22.012). The bill amends Texas law to require that courts and law enforcement safeguard victims' personal details, such as addresses or contact information, from public disclosure in legal proceedings. It explicitly defines "victim" in the criminal procedure code to include those subjected to these offenses or part of the same criminal episode. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on May 13, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1809: Relating to the creation of the offense of fraudulent use, possession, or tampering with a gift card, gift card packaging, or gift card data or redemption information.

SB 1809 creates a new criminal offense in Texas for fraudulently using, possessing, or tampering with gift cards, their packaging, or digital redemption data. It specifically targets individuals who intentionally alter physical or virtual gift cards, steal or misuse unique redemption information, or use counterfeit cards to obtain goods or services. The law directly affects fraudsters and protects cardholders, card issuers, and gift card sellers by criminalizing acts like altering card data, possessing stolen redemption codes, or knowingly using fake cards. Key provisions define "counterfeit gift cards" and prohibit actions such as tampering with packaging or transporting unactivated cards to retail stores for fraudulent purposes. This law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1145: Relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue permits for the land application of water produced from certain mining and oil and gas extraction operations.

SB 1145 allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to issue permits for applying treated wastewater from oil and gas operations onto land, directly affecting oil and gas companies seeking to reuse this water. The bill requires TCEQ to establish standards preventing pollution of surface and groundwater during land application. It creates a new permitting process for "produced water" (wastewater from extraction) that has been treated for beneficial use, replacing previous requirements under the Railroad Commission. The law applies only to permits filed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1879: Relating to the transfer of certain state property from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to Walker County.

SB 1879 transfers a specific 14.999-acre tract of land in Walker County from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to Walker County. The county must use the property exclusively for a justice center (such as a courthouse or detention facility) and cannot repurpose it or fail to use it for that purpose within 10 years of transfer, or ownership reverts to the state. The bill specifies the property's boundaries and requires a formal transfer document with these usage restrictions. The bill was signed into law by the governor on May 13, 2025, and is now effective.

signed · Texas · House May 13, 2025

HCR 123: Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the American Declaration of Independence.

This Texas concurrent resolution (HCR 123) commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence's adoption on July 4, 1776, to be observed in 2026. It is a symbolic gesture with no legal effect or policy changes, expressing the Texas Legislature's recognition of this historical milestone. The resolution details the Declaration's drafting history and significance, including its foundational principles like "all men are created equal." Approved by the Texas Legislature and signed by the governor in May 2025, it serves solely as a commemorative statement.

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 836: Relating to victims of sex offenses, sex-based human trafficking offenses, or acts of a sexual nature and to the confidentiality of or restrictions on the availability of certain property, material, or information regarding those victims, offenses, or acts.

SB 836 protects victims of sex offenses, sex-based human trafficking, or sexual acts by restricting how medical evidence from their examinations can be used. The bill prohibits courts from using such evidence to investigate or prosecute minor offenses committed by the victim themselves, requires all related evidence to be sealed by the court after proceedings, and limits public access to visual recordings of victims. It directly affects victims in criminal cases, ensuring their medical exam details and related materials cannot be shared publicly or used against them in unrelated minor charges. The law creates clear safeguards to prevent re-traumatization and protect privacy during legal processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 711: Relating to property owners' associations, including condominium unit owners' associations.

SB 711 requires condominium associations with 60+ units or those using a management company to make their governing documents (like declarations and bylaws) available online on a member-accessible website. It also updates record-keeping rules to mandate that associations include their website address and transfer fee details in county-recorded management certificates. These changes apply to associations organized under Texas Property Code Chapter 82, effective September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects condominium owners and management companies by standardizing document access and transparency requirements.

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1697: Relating to a customer guide to home solar energy devices.

SB 1697 requires the Texas Public Utility Commission to create and maintain a plain-language guide for homeowners considering solar energy installations. The guide must cover key topics like utility services (net metering, rebates), roof suitability factors (orientation, shade), financial details (tax credits, maintenance costs), and contact information for the Commission. It directly affects homeowners researching solar options and electric utilities, which must link to the guide on their websites and include it with customer bills starting September 2025. The bill mandates the guide be updated periodically and published online, providing standardized information to help consumers make informed decisions about home solar systems.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1409: Relating to health benefits offered by postsecondary educational institutions to students and their families.

SB 1409 allows Texas colleges and universities to offer health benefits to enrolled students and their family members without requiring students to enroll in these benefits. The bill defines these benefits as non-insurance products (meaning they are not subject to standard insurance regulations) and specifies they must be limited to students and their families. This law, which became effective immediately on May 13, 2025, creates a new regulatory framework under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 1683 for such benefits.

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1499: Relating to the operations of the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center.

SB 1499 transfers the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center from the Occupations Code to Chapter 426 of the Government Code and establishes it within the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The bill defines key terms like "card fraud," "check fraud," and "payment fraud" to standardize how financial crime investigations are conducted across agencies. It requires the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt rules for implementing the center's operations. This legislation directly affects law enforcement agencies and financial institutions responding to fraud cases by creating a centralized hub for coordinating fraud investigations within the state.

signed · Texas · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1038: Relating to administrative remedies for certain fraud and abuse violations under Medicaid; providing administrative penalties.

SB 1038 establishes a program to reward individuals who report Medicaid fraud or overcharges that result in recovered administrative penalties. Whistleblowers may receive up to 5% of the recovered penalty, but only if the Texas Health and Human Services Commission or attorney general did not already know about the fraud. The bill also clarifies key terms like "knowingly" and "material" to strengthen fraud enforcement in Medicaid. This law directly affects Medicaid providers who commit fraud and individuals who report such violations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results