Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1455: Relating to the funding mechanism for the regulation of workers' compensation and workers' compensation insurance; authorizing surcharges.

SB 1455 authorizes surcharges on workers' compensation insurance policies to fund the Texas Department of Insurance's regulation of workers' compensation programs. The bill amends the Insurance Code to establish these surcharges as a dedicated revenue source, directly affecting workers' compensation insurance providers who would pay the added fees. Key provisions include updating funding mechanisms under Title 3 of the Insurance Code to allow surcharges for regulatory costs, while specifying that these funds must support the department's oversight functions. The bill became effective January 1, 2026, after passing both legislative chambers and being filed without the governor's signature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1371: Relating to the operation of certain metropolitan transit authorities.

SB 1371 modifies Texas law to affect small metropolitan transit authorities (those with a principal municipality under 320,000 population). It clarifies that tax exemptions for compressed natural gas fuel do not apply to transit vehicles using refueling facilities operated by these small authorities, except in emergencies under specific agreements. The bill also requires a 60-day delay for new single-ride fares in such authorities (unless overridden by a regional planning group) and adjusts board service calculation rules to exclude certain interim appointments or presiding officer terms. These changes streamline operations for smaller transit systems while maintaining fiscal oversight.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 136: In memory of Deputy Melissa Pollard of the Wood County Sheriff's Office.

HCR 136 is a commemorative resolution honoring Deputy Melissa Pollard of the Wood County Sheriff's Office, who died in the line of duty on April 9, 2025. The resolution extends condolences to her family - including her daughter, grandchildren, sisters, and colleagues - and recognizes her 22-year law enforcement career, including her work training recruits and earning multiple certifications. It has no policy provisions or direct impact on legislation; it solely serves as a symbolic tribute. The resolution was passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor in June 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2068: Relating to the duty of an appraisal district to keep confidential certain identifying information provided by a property owner.

SB 2068 requires Texas appraisal districts to keep certain personal information confidential when property owners apply for tax exemptions. The bill specifically protects driver's license numbers, social security numbers, personal ID numbers, children's names/ages, and home addresses provided in exemption applications. This information may only be shared with authorized appraisal district employees or agents performing appraisal services, not with the public or other entities. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting property owners who file exemption applications.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 133: Congratulating Dudley "Dude" Speed on his retirement from the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

HCR 133 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Dudley "Dude" Speed on his retirement from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) after a 50-year public service career. The resolution honors his 30 years with the Texas Department of Public Safety (including highway patrol and criminal intelligence) and his later role as TDEM Midland senior liaison officer, recognizing his contributions to emergency management programs. This non-binding resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses the Texas Legislature's appreciation through formal congratulations and best wishes. It directly affects Speed personally, with no broader legislative or regulatory changes.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1951: Relating to the imposition of a penalty for failure to timely file a rendition statement or property report with the chief appraiser of an appraisal district.

SB 1951 imposes a 10% penalty on property owners who fail to submit required property reports or rendition statements to their appraisal district's chief appraiser by the deadline. The penalty is calculated as 10% of the annual property taxes owed and is added as a separate line item to the property owner's tax bill. Taxing units must include this penalty in their tax collections, and it becomes part of the property's tax lien. The law applies to property tax years beginning January 1, 2026, and amends Texas Tax Code sections 22.28(a) and (b).

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 81: Designating Milam as the official Gateway Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

This legislative resolution designates the town of Milam, Texas, as the "official Gateway Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It does not create new laws or alter government functions but formally recognizes Milam's historical significance as a key travel and settlement hub along routes like El Camino Real de los Tejas. The designation, which expires in 2035, is purely symbolic and aligns with Section 391.003(e) of the Texas Government Code. No direct policy changes or funding impacts affect Milam or other entities through this resolution.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 129: Commemorating the 100th anniversary of Austin Oaks Church.

HCR 129 is a ceremonial resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of Austin Oaks Church, founded in 1925 by Swedish immigrants as the Swedish Evangelical Free Church of Austin. It recognizes the church's history, including its relocation to southwest Austin in 2002 and adoption of its current name in 2014, as well as its current ministries and leadership. The resolution formally honors the congregation's century of service and sends an official copy to the church as a symbol of respect from the Texas Legislature. This resolution has no binding policy effect and is purely symbolic.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 156: Instructing the enrolling clerk of the house to make corrections in H.B. No. 140.

HCR 156 is a procedural resolution instructing the House enrolling clerk to correct a technical error in House Bill 140. Specifically, it directs the clerk to strike Section 2 of H.B. 140 and renumber the remaining sections accordingly. This correction affects the official enrolled version of H.B. 140, ensuring its numbering aligns with the final adopted text. The resolution was passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, finalizing the correction.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1804: Relating to restitution and compensation paid to victims of certain offenses for tattoo removal related to the offense.

SB 1804 requires courts to order defendants convicted of trafficking or prostitution-related offenses (under Texas Penal Code Chapters 20A or 43) to pay restitution for victims' tattoo removal costs incurred through force, fraud, or coercion. It amends Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to explicitly include "reasonable and necessary costs of tattoo removal" as a covered expense under mandatory restitution. This applies to all victims of these specific crimes, not limited to minors. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2383: Relating to the employment of certain peace officers of the Department of Public Safety.

SB 2383 allows retired commissioned officers of the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to return to active duty as commissioned officers without being subject to certain employment restrictions. It specifically exempts these retired DPS officers - defined as those who retired under the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERST) from their last DPS commissioned role - from provisions in the Government Code that otherwise apply to new hires. The law applies only to individuals hired on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, and does not affect current employees or retirees hired before that date. This change streamlines the rehiring process for eligible retired DPS officers.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 147: Congratulating Jim and Doris Stewart of Lubbock on their 50th wedding anniversary.

This concurrent resolution (HCR 147) formally congratulates Jim and Doris Stewart of Lubbock on their 50th wedding anniversary, which they celebrated on May 2, 2025. It directly affects only the Stewart family, recognizing their marriage since 1975, their four children, eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, as well as Jim’s career in law enforcement and media. The resolution’s mechanism is purely ceremonial: it directs the Texas Legislature to send an official copy of the resolution to the Stewarts as a symbolic gesture of goodwill. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact or legislative effect beyond this acknowledgment.

Bill results