Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 2532: Relating to the calculation of the voter-approval tax rate for certain municipalities that receive municipal hotel occupancy tax revenue and other money from a local park board of trustees.

SB 2532 modifies how certain coastal municipalities calculate their voter-approval tax rate. It specifically affects eligible coastal municipalities that receive hotel occupancy tax revenue and park board funds, as defined in the bill. The key change introduces a "misspent public money rate" - calculated by dividing misspent funds (money spent outside authorized uses or received from park boards) by the municipality's total taxable property value. This rate is then subtracted from the standard voter-approval tax rate formula for these municipalities, potentially lowering the required tax rate. The bill does not change tax collections but adjusts the calculation method for eligible coastal communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 809: In memory of Helen Asimakis Yampanis of Dallas.

This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 809) honoring Helen Asimakis Yampanis, a Dallas resident who died in June 2024 at age 98. It recognizes her 58-year career at Neiman Marcus, her service with Greek Orthodox organizations (including leading the Daughters of Penelope), her role in founding a community pastry festival, and her family ties. The resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives, extends condolences to her family and commemorates her life without creating any new laws or policies. It is purely a tribute, not a substantive legislative action.

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 816: In memory of John Michael Jackson of University Park.

This is a memorial resolution honoring John Michael Jackson of University Park, a Dallas attorney, real estate broker, and community volunteer who passed away on March 20, 2025. The Texas House of Representatives pays tribute to his 54-year marriage, service to organizations like the Voice of Hope and Preston Center Rotary Club, and his role as a deacon in local churches. The resolution extends sympathy to his wife, children, grandchildren, and extended family members. Adopted by the House on May 23, 2025, it serves as a formal recognition of his life and legacy with no policy impact.

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HB 1043: Relating to a study by the General Land Office in partnership with a working group consisting of the Texas Department of Insurance, Department of Information Resources, and other entities on the establishment and implementation of a distributed ledger-based title registry pilot program.

HB 1043 requires the Texas General Land Office to study a pilot program using distributed ledger technology (like blockchain) for recording property titles. The study, conducted with a working group including the Department of Insurance and Information Resources, will evaluate two approaches: a public ledger (all records publicly accessible) and a hybrid model (basic info on public ledger, full documents on a secure system). It must include at least one rural and one urban county to compare costs, security, transparency, and complexity, while ensuring current property recording methods aren’t disrupted. The bill does not implement the program but assesses its feasibility for future county adoption.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 836: In memory of John Randal Satterwhite of Midlothian.

This is a memorial resolution (not a substantive bill), adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on May 23, 2025. It honors John Randal Satterwhite of Midlothian, who died on April 3, 2025, at age 49. The resolution expresses the House's tribute to his life, career in construction, community service (including youth football coaching), and dedication to his family. It extends sympathy to his family and directs that an official copy be provided to them.

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HB 3778: Relating to the use of geothermal energy as a dispatchable generation resource.

HB 3778 defines geothermal energy facilities as "dispatchable" under Texas law, meaning their power output can be controlled by human operators. This reclassification directly affects geothermal developers in the ERCOT grid region by making their facilities eligible for state financial incentives. The bill creates two key provisions: (1) loans for upgrading existing dispatchable facilities (minimum 100MW capacity increase) and (2) completion grants for new dispatchable facilities (minimum 100MW capacity), excluding electric storage facilities. These mechanisms aim to incentivize geothermal energy development as a reliable power source within Texas' energy grid.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 870: In memory of South Belt community leader Marie Flickinger.

This is a commemorative resolution (HR 870), not a legislative bill with policy provisions. It honors Marie Flickinger, a southeast Houston community leader and journalist who co-founded the South Belt-Ellington Leader newspaper, exposed environmental contamination at the Brio Superfund site, and served on the San Jacinto College Board for 30 years. The resolution recognizes her lifelong civic contributions, including organizing community events and securing infrastructure improvements. It was adopted by the Texas House on May 23, 2025, as a formal tribute to her legacy.

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 825: In memory of Roy Leonard Grant Sr. of Houston.

This is a memorial resolution honoring Roy Leonard Grant Sr. of Houston, who died on March 30, 2025, at age 85. It pays tribute to his life, including his 35-year career as a pipefitter, military service in Germany, 54-year marriage, and extensive community involvement in Northeast Houston. The resolution extends condolences to his family - comprising his daughters, sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other relatives - and formally commemorates his legacy. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact or legislative effect beyond honoring his memory.

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 908: Recognizing April 24, 2025, as Fayette County Day at the State Capitol.

This resolution (HR 908) is a ceremonial recognition, not a policy bill. It designates April 24, 2025, as "Fayette County Day" at the Texas State Capitol to honor the county's history and residents. The resolution specifically extends a welcome to Fayette County's visiting delegation for a celebration at the Capitol on that date. It directly affects Fayette County residents participating in the Capitol event but has no policy impact or funding changes.

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 1087: Congratulating the girls' soccer team of A&M Consolidated High School in College Station on winning the 2025 UIL 5A Division 1 state championship.

This resolution (HR 1087) is a symbolic gesture by the Texas House of Representatives congratulating the A&M Consolidated High School girls' soccer team on winning the 2025 UIL 5A Division 1 state championship. It directly recognizes the team's 26-0-1 season record, their 4-0 championship victory over Colleyville Heritage, and key players and coaches. The resolution contains no policy changes or funding provisions - its sole purpose is to formally acknowledge the team's achievement through a written expression of support. As a procedural resolution, it does not create legal obligations or alter any laws.

passed · Texas · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 2199: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for loading certain overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials at a weight that exceeds the weight limitations authorized for the vehicle.

SB 2199 increases penalties for commercial vehicles carrying hazardous materials (like fuel) that exceed weight limits. It specifically makes it a felony for three-axle vehicles transporting such materials to be overweight, raising penalties from misdemeanors to second-degree felonies. Fines for overweight vehicles are also structured by how much they exceed limits, ranging from $100 to $10,000 based on weight overage (e.g., $7,000-$10,000 for over 40,000 pounds). This bill directly affects trucking companies and drivers transporting hazardous materials in three-axle vehicles.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Texas · House May 23, 2025

HR 540: In memory of Connie Jane Hunt of Port Lavaca.

This is a memorial resolution (not a substantive bill) honoring Connie Jane Hunt, a Calhoun County Republican Party member and community volunteer who died in 2025. The resolution commemorates her life, marriage, military-connected service, mentorship in local politics, support for youth civic education, and church involvement. It has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or laws - it serves solely as a formal tribute from the Texas House of Representatives to her family and community. The resolution was adopted by the House on May 23, 2025.

Bill results