Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1350: Relating to a commission to coordinate celebrations of the bicentennial anniversary of Texas' independence.

SB 1350 creates the Texas Bicentennial Commission to coordinate statewide celebrations for the 200th anniversary of Texas' independence. The commission consists of 23 members: nine public appointees by the governor (requiring geographic and demographic diversity), three senators appointed by the lieutenant governor, three House members appointed by the speaker, and eight ex-officio officials from state agencies like tourism, history, and education. Members serve staggered six-year terms, with specific expiration dates for different appointee groups. This bill directly affects Texas state agencies and the public by establishing a formal body to plan and manage bicentennial events, without altering existing laws or funding.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 83: Designating Rusk County as the official Syrup Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 83 is a ceremonial resolution designating Rusk County as Texas' official "Syrup Capital" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It recognizes Rusk County's historical and cultural connection to ribbon cane syrup production, including its annual Heritage Syrup Festival and traditional syrup-making methods. The resolution has no legal effect beyond symbolic recognition and expires automatically on the 10th anniversary of its passage. This designation directly honors Rusk County residents and their heritage, with no policy changes or financial impacts.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2570: Relating to a legal justification for the use of force with a less-lethal force weapon by a correctional facility guard or a peace officer.

SB 2570 creates a legal justification for correctional facility guards and peace officers to use less-lethal force weapons (such as stun guns, impact devices, or chemical dispensers) when their use aligns with their training. The law specifies that officers are justified if their actions were in "substantial compliance" with required training, directly affecting only these specific law enforcement personnel. It applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date (June 20, 2025), with prior incidents governed by existing law. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 46: Designating January 12 as Nathan Gage Ingram Day for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

This bill designates January 12 as Nathan Gage Ingram Day in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035, honoring U.S. Navy SEAL Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram. The resolution commemorates Ingram, who died on January 12, 2024, while attempting to rescue a fellow SEAL during a mission off Somalia’s coast. It has no policy impact beyond establishing an annual observance to recognize his service and sacrifice.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2001: Relating to the registration of vehicles, the issuance of disabled parking placards, and certain benefits associated with that registration or issuance for certain peace officers with disabilities; authorizing a fee.

SB 2001 creates a program allowing peace officers with disabilities resulting from work-related injuries to register one personal vehicle for free (excluding license plate fees) for one year. It directly affects peace officers who were injured during employment, require a vehicle owned by them under 18,000 pounds gross weight or a motor home, and provide two certifications: one confirming their mobility impairment and another from their agency verifying the work-related injury. The bill amends Texas Transportation Code sections to establish this benefit, replacing standard registration fees for qualifying officers while maintaining requirements for disability documentation. This policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, following gubernatorial approval.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1733: Relating to the composition of the board of the Calhoun Port Authority.

SB 1733 reduces the Calhoun Port Authority board from seven to six commissioners. It changes the election structure so one commissioner is elected at-large by all voters, while six are elected from specific geographic precincts within the authority. The bill also adds requirements that commissioners must be residents of their precinct or the entire authority and own property there. This law took effect immediately after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1261: Relating to the financing of water supply projects included in the state water plan; authorizing the issuance of obligations.

SB 1261 authorizes Texas water agencies and districts to issue bonds or other debt instruments to finance large-scale water supply projects. It specifically applies to projects included in the state water plan that have cumulative capital costs of at least $750 million. The law creates new Chapter 1373 in the Government Code, allowing issuers to finance or refinance these qualifying projects without conflicting with other state laws. It explicitly excludes projects funded through the Texas Water Development Board’s existing programs. This legislation provides a new financing mechanism for major water infrastructure, directly affecting local water authorities and districts planning large-scale projects aligned with the state water plan.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1383: Relating to the regulation of referral agencies for senior living communities.

SB 1383 regulates referral agencies that connect seniors with senior living communities by requiring them to provide clear written disclosures to consumers at the time of referral. The bill mandates that disclosures include details about services, who pays the referral fee (consumer or community), and the consumer's right to stop using the service without penalty. It also prohibits referral agencies from using cost as the sole factor in selecting a community and prevents senior living communities from being forced to contract with referral agencies. This law directly affects referral agencies, seniors seeking housing options, and senior living communities by establishing transparency and consumer protections.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1814: Relating to creation and maintenance of an electronic database to provide information to certain members of the United States armed forces regarding the resources and benefits provided to veterans.

SB 1814 creates a state-maintained electronic database to connect service members transitioning from active duty to veterans with available benefits. It requires written consent from members discharged within 12 months, storing their contact information for approved state agencies and local veteran service organizations. These entities can access the database to provide targeted information about employment, housing, health care, entrepreneurship programs, and support services. The database becomes operational on September 1, 2025, after the bill was signed into law on June 20, 2025. This directly affects service members leaving active duty who consent to be included.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 98: Urging Congress to enhance coordination among federal, state, and local authorities in the deployment of C-UAS technologies for border security.

HCR 98 is a Texas concurrent resolution urging Congress to improve coordination between federal, state, and local authorities in deploying Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) for border security. It highlights that current federal law restricts C-UAS operations to four departments (Homeland Security, Justice, Defense, Energy), preventing states from conducting drone detection or mitigation despite border threats. The resolution requests Congress establish joint training, information-sharing protocols, and funding mechanisms to enable state/local participation in C-UAS efforts, referencing FBI support and related federal proposals like H.R.8610. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws but formally advocates for enhanced federal-state collaboration.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 150: Recognizing May 2025 as National Water Safety Month.

HCR 150 is a symbolic resolution recognizing May 2025 as National Water Safety Month in Texas. It does not create new laws or directly affect any group, but formally acknowledges the annual observance to raise public awareness about water safety. The resolution highlights drowning statistics for Texas children and references existing safety initiatives promoted by organizations like the American Red Cross and National Drowning Prevention Alliance. It serves solely as an official state recognition of the month-long awareness effort.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1241: Relating to the consideration of college entrance examinations for admission to certain public institutions of higher education and a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding those examinations.

SB 1241 amends Texas law to allow public universities to admit students who achieve a minimum SAT score of 1,500 (or equivalent ACT score) as an alternative to graduating in the top 10% of their high school class. It directly affects undergraduate applicants to Texas public institutions of higher education who do not meet the top 10% academic requirement. The bill establishes specific score thresholds (1,500 on the SAT or equivalent ACT benchmarks) that applicants must meet to qualify for admission under this new pathway. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is also directed to study how these entrance examinations impact student success and institutional admissions. The law took effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results