Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 22, 2025

SB 2753: Relating to the integration of early voting by personal appearance and election day voting, including the manner in which election returns are processed and other related changes.

SB 2753 integrates early voting by personal appearance and election day voting processes in Texas. It requires county election offices to stay open during extended early voting hours for voter registration, and allows counties with under 55,000 residents to use state funds to keep polling places open during early voting periods. The bill also permits combining election precincts with fewer than 5,000 registered voters in counties under 1.2 million population to reduce election costs, while maintaining population limits for precincts. These changes directly affect county election administrators, voters accessing early voting, and local election budgets. The law took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor in June 2025.

vetoed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HB 5671: Relating to the election of directors for and the authority to issue bonds of the Johnson County Special Utility District.

HB 5671 would have updated election rules for directors of the Johnson County Special Utility District, requiring candidates to be qualified voters, customers of the district's water/sewer services, and property owners within the district. It would have allowed the district to elect directors from single-member districts, with candidates for those seats needing to reside in the specific district. The bill would have granted the district authority to issue bonds under state bond laws (Chapter 1371, Government Code), removing certain restrictions from the Water Code. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025.

vetoed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HB 3120: Relating to certain duties of the owner or operator of a residential child detention facility.

HB 3120 requires owners or operators of facilities housing unaccompanied immigrant children under federal contracts (like those with ICE or HHS) to conduct criminal background checks on staff applicants and employees. It permits these checks for employment screening only, prohibits using the results for any other purpose, and bans disclosure without consent or a court order. Facilities must destroy all such background information within 180 days of receiving it or after an employee's probationary period. The bill also mandates facilities to create agreements with local governments for reporting illnesses and health issues. This law directly affects private facilities contracted by federal agencies to house immigrant youth.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 22, 2025

SB 1: General Appropriations Bill.

SB 1 is the Texas General Appropriations Bill for the 2026-2027 state budget cycle. It allocates state funds to multiple government agencies and programs, including those under General Government, Health and Human Services, and Education. The bill specifies funding amounts for operational expenses, personnel, and specific initiatives across these departments. It directly affects state agencies by providing their budget authority for the biennium, enabling them to deliver services as outlined in the appropriations. This bill focuses on funding allocation, not new policy creation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HB 500: Relating to making supplemental appropriations and reductions in appropriations and giving direction and adjustment authority regarding appropriations.

HB 500 reassigns existing state funds to specific programs without creating new revenue. It directs $40.4 million to crime victim compensation, $104.5 million to preserve historic state buildings (transferring from prior museum funds), $300 million for space research, and $100 million for courthouse preservation grants through the Texas Historical Commission. These funds come from unspent balances in existing appropriations, not new taxes or spending. The bill affects state agencies managing these programs and directly supports crime victims, historic preservation, and state infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

vetoed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HB 1690: Relating to an application for a permit for the transfer of groundwater out of a groundwater conservation district.

HB 1690 would have required groundwater conservation districts in Texas to adopt rules mandating specific notice procedures for applicants seeking permits to transfer groundwater out of their district. The bill required applicants to pay for certified mail notices to adjacent districts, county commissioners courts in affected areas, and publish notices in local newspapers. This directly affected entities applying for groundwater transfer permits and the districts reviewing those applications. The bill was introduced in the Texas Legislature, passed both chambers, but was vetoed by the Governor on June 22, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 152: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Punkin Center Gin in Lamesa.

HCR 152 is a ceremonial resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of Punkin Center Gin in Lamesa, Texas. It recognizes the gin's founding in 1924 as West Texas' oldest operating gin and honors current owners Al and Kasha Crisp, their family business, and the gin's century-long contribution to Dawson County's economy. The resolution, passed by the Texas Legislature and signed by the Governor, formally expresses legislative appreciation and includes a copy for the Crisp family. This is a non-binding gesture with no policy or financial impact.