Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 1396: Relating to prohibiting the adoption or use of national sex education standards in public schools.

SB 1396 prohibits Texas public school districts and charter schools from adopting or using national sex education standards, such as those developed by the Future of Sex Education Initiative, in human sexuality or health curricula. The bill amends education code to require that any course materials on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases must emphasize abstinence as the preferred choice for unmarried students, dedicate more instructional time to abstinence than other topics, and teach contraception using real-world effectiveness rates instead of laboratory rates. School boards must select these materials with input from local health advisory councils, and the law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects curriculum decisions in all Texas public schools offering health education.

Topics ✗ Education

passed · Texas · Senate May 23, 2025

SJR 60: Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the commissioners court of a county to exempt from ad valorem taxation by each political subdivision that taxes the property the portion of the assessed value of a person's property that is attributable to the installation in or on the property of a rainwater harvesting or graywater system.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas counties to authorize local governments (like cities or school districts) to exempt from property tax the portion of a home's assessed value tied to rainwater harvesting or graywater systems. It directly affects homeowners who install these water systems by potentially reducing their property tax burden. The exemption would apply only to the value added by the systems themselves, not the entire property. If approved by voters, local tax assessors would implement this change through existing property tax processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 2138: Relating to prohibiting the investment of the permanent university fund, the Texas University Fund, or money held by a public institution of higher education in financial companies that boycott certain energy companies.

SB 2138 prohibits Texas public universities and related funds (including the permanent university fund and Texas University Fund) from investing money with financial companies that boycott specific energy companies. The bill applies existing state investment rules (Chapter 809 of the Government Code) to these university funds, requiring them to avoid financial institutions engaging in such boycotts. It directly affects Texas public higher education institutions and their investment decisions. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with no specified energy companies named in the bill text.

Topics ✗ Energy

passed · Texas · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 1633: Relating to the authority of a county commissioners court to adopt an exemption from ad valorem taxation by each taxing unit that taxes the property of the portion of the appraised value of a person's property that is attributable to the installation in or on the property of certain water conservation systems.

SB 1633 would allow Texas counties to exempt from property tax the portion of a home's value tied to rainwater harvesting or graywater systems. Property owners installing these water conservation systems would see reduced property taxes, as the exemption applies to the specific value added by the systems, not the entire property. The exemption must be adopted by a county commissioners court and applies to all taxing entities (like cities or school districts) that tax the property. This bill requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before it can take effect in 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 1242: In memory of Preston Paul Solarie.

HR 1242 is a ceremonial resolution adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on May 23, 2025, to honor Preston Paul Solarie following his death. The resolution recognizes his life, including his career as an engineer (working for companies like Boeing and Chevron), his 25-year marriage, fatherhood, community involvement in Narcotics Anonymous, and membership at the West Side Church of Christ. It specifically pays tribute to Solarie's family - his wife Janice, children Ian, LaSjhontae, and Yuri, grandchildren, sisters, and extended relatives - and directs the House to adjourn in his memory. As a memorial resolution, it has no legislative effect and solely serves to commemorate his contributions.

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 803: In memory of Charles Alfred Williamson of Tyler.

HR 803 is a memorial resolution honoring Charles Alfred Williamson of Tyler, who died December 20, 2024, at age 55. The resolution recognizes his career as a Texas Department of Criminal Justice warden (20 years), his service as Rusk County Republican Party Chair (2012-2024), and his family ties, including his children James "Jay" and Jenna Williamson. It was adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on May 23, 2025, to pay tribute to his life and extend condolences to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy provisions or direct impact on legislation.

passed · Texas · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 2707: Relating to certain oversize or overweight vehicle permit fees or surety requirements.

SB 2707 modifies Texas Transportation Code provisions related to oversize or overweight vehicle permits. It allows the Texas Department of Transportation to waive permit fees and surety requirements (like bonds or letters of credit) for governmental entities, including cities, counties, and other public agencies. The bill specifically exempts municipal vehicles from certain permit rules and expands waiver authority to all governmental entities through department rules. This change directly affects government-owned vehicles requiring special permits for oversized or overweight travel on Texas roads. The policy change takes effect September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HB 3898: Relating to the authority of the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance to certain political subdivisions for brackish water desalination.

HB 3898 allows the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance for brackish water desalination projects to specific counties. It directly affects counties with populations over 250,000 located on an international border and wholly or partly within a groundwater management area that lacks a groundwater conservation district inside the county. The bill amends the Water Code to authorize this assistance, creating a new eligibility pathway for these counties. The measure would take effect September 1, 2025, if passed. This is a policy change focused on expanding water infrastructure funding for targeted border communities facing groundwater challenges.

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HB 4518: Relating to the formation of decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations and the use of distributed ledger or blockchain technology for certain business purposes; authorizing fees.

HB 4518 establishes a legal framework for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations that use blockchain or distributed ledger technology for their operations. It defines key terms like "administrator," "governing principles," and "membership interest," requiring at least 100 members with mutual consent to form such associations under this chapter. The bill authorizes state fees for registration and specifies that these associations must operate under their own governing rules, separate from other nonprofit laws. This legislation directly affects nonprofits seeking to function using blockchain technology, providing them with a clear legal structure while avoiding traditional corporate incorporation.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HB 290: Relating to assistance for tuition and fees at postsecondary educational institutions for certain members of the Texas military forces.

HB 290 would provide tuition and fee exemptions at Texas colleges for qualifying members of the Texas military forces (including National Guard and State Guard). It requires public and private institutions to waive tuition for up to 15 semester credit hours per term (increasing from 12) and all mandatory fees when tuition is waived. The program limits assistance to 15 credit hours per term and a maximum of seven academic years or 15 semesters total per service member. The Texas Adjutant General would certify eligible members and administer the program within available funding, with specific caps for Texas State Guard members (30 awards per term unless a compelling need is found).

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 858: Honoring the Reverend Allen Page III for his service as Pastor of the Day on May 6, 2025.

This resolution honors Reverend Allen Page III for serving as Pastor of the Day for the Texas House of Representatives on May 6, 2025. It formally recognizes his 25+ years of ministry, leadership roles within the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and service to the community. The Texas House of Representatives adopted the resolution on May 23, 2025, and will provide Reverend Page with an official copy as a gesture of respect. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy impact or legislative effect.

passed · Texas · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 2207: Relating to prohibiting the Texas Medical Board from regulating certain physician advertising.

SB 2207 prohibits the Texas Medical Board from regulating how physicians advertise their certification as "board certified" if the certification comes from specific organizations. It applies to physicians certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Osteopathic Association Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists, or other organizations meeting strict criteria like equivalent certification standards, peer review, and minimum membership. The bill also bans the Texas Medical Board from charging fees or requiring applications from qualifying certifying organizations. This law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill results