Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2073: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain violations of certain court orders or conditions of bond in cases involving family violence, child abuse or neglect, sexual assault or abuse, indecent assault, stalking, or trafficking.

HB 2073 increases criminal penalties for individuals who violate court orders or bond conditions in cases involving family violence, child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking. It elevates certain violations from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony if the defendant was previously convicted of similar offenses or violated the order while armed. For repeat offenders or those who commit assault while violating the order, penalties rise to a third-degree felony. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change penalties for past violations.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 917: Relating to certain boiler inspection reports and the composition and governance of the board of boiler rules.

SB 917 shortens the deadline for boiler inspection agencies to submit reports from 30 to 10 days after an inspection. It directly affects inspection agencies that perform boiler safety checks and the executive director who receives these reports. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to require agencies to file reports within 10 days using the method specified by the executive director. This change streamlines reporting requirements without altering boiler safety standards or creating new obligations.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5437: Relating to the validation of the creation of and certain acts of the Austin County Municipal Utility District No. 1.

HB 5437 validates the creation of Austin County Municipal Utility District No. 1 and confirms all actions taken related to its establishment, including a November 2, 2021 election that approved bonds for water, sewage, drainage, and road infrastructure, as well as the election of permanent directors. The bill confirms the legal status of these past actions, removing potential challenges to the district's formation and its bond issuances. It directly affects Austin County residents served by the utility district and ensures the district's operations and financing remain legally sound. This is a procedural validation bill with no new policy requirements, solely confirming prior lawful actions.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1307: Relating to a biennial health coverage reference guide developed by the Texas Department of Insurance.

SB 1307 requires the Texas Department of Insurance to create a biennial reference guide for the public, updated every two years, to help Texans understand health coverage options. The guide must include definitions of health insurance terms, sources for obtaining coverage (like employers), comparisons of plan types (such as HMOs and PPOs), explanations of out-of-pocket costs (premiums, deductibles), and how to recognize coverage scams. It also covers the Affordable Care Act marketplace categories, consumer rights, dispute resolution methods, and federal/state programs for health care assistance. This bill directly affects Texas residents seeking health coverage by providing standardized, accessible information to make informed decisions. The guide will take effect September 1, 2025, following the bill's recent signing into law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 27: Relating to courses in personal financial literacy for high school students in public schools.

HB 27 requires all Texas public high school students to complete at least one-half credit in personal financial literacy as part of their social studies graduation requirements under Education Code Section 28.025(b-1)(4). The bill directs the State Board of Education to develop a list of free, open-source curricula for these courses and allows Advanced Placement courses meeting specific standards to count toward the requirement. This policy change affects all public high school students in Texas, mandating practical financial education alongside traditional subjects like history and government. The law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, is now effective immediately for all public school districts.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 815: Relating to the use of certain automated systems in, and certain adverse determinations made in connection with, the health benefit claims process.

SB 815 requires health insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to disclose in written explanations of benefits whether artificial intelligence (AI) was used in processing claims or making coverage decisions. If AI was used, the disclosure must include a plain-language description of how the AI system operated. The bill directly affects insurers/HMOs by mandating these transparency requirements for patients and healthcare providers, specifically addressing "adverse determinations" like denied coverage. It does not restrict AI use but ensures consumers and doctors understand when automated systems influence their health benefit decisions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 670: Relating to patient authorization to access certain investigational sun protection products.

SB 670 allows Texas patients to access investigational sun protection products (those in phase 1 clinical trials but not yet FDA-approved) with their physician's recommendation. Patients must have their doctor confirm that approved alternatives are less effective and provide written informed consent before using these products. Manufacturers may choose to supply the products to eligible patients but are not required to do so, and may charge for costs associated with production. The bill prohibits state officials from blocking access and protects physicians from license actions for following its requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4466: Relating to restrictions on the fee assessed for issuance of certain birth records.

HB 4466 (effective September 1, 2025) removes fees for certified birth records issued to counties or child welfare boards when requested for specific legal cases. The bill requires state and local registrars to provide these records without charge when the request relates to a "suit affecting the parent-child relationship" filed by a governmental entity under Texas Family Code Subtitle E, Title 5. This directly affects county governments and child welfare boards handling custody or parental rights cases. The provision applies only to these legally defined proceedings, not to general public requests for birth records.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 640: Relating to the office hours of an election authority during an election period.

HB 640 clarifies that during election periods, election authorities (like county or city offices) must be open on "regular business days" - defined as days when their main office is typically open for business. The bill specifically notes that for independent school districts, this means the school district's main business office hours apply. It directly affects election offices and voters needing access to these locations during voting periods. The change takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter existing voting procedures or requirements.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2885: Relating to the use of reclaimed water that has been treated to meet certain standards as part of an aquifer storage and recovery project.

SB 2885 allows Texas water authorities to permit the injection of treated reclaimed water into aquifers for storage and recovery projects, provided the water meets specific standards set by the commission. This amendment to the Water Code directly affects water utilities, environmental agencies, and aquifer management projects seeking to use recycled water. The key mechanism enables the commission to authorize such water use through rules or individual permits, streamlining access to this water resource. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3486: Relating to a deduction from the amount of taxable sales used to calculate the amount of sales and use taxes that the owners of restaurants that purchase Texas farm-raised oysters are required to remit to the comptroller of public accounts.

HB 3486 allows restaurants in Texas to reduce the sales tax they owe by $5 for every 100 Texas farm-raised oysters they purchase for preparation and service. It directly affects restaurants that own food service establishments and buy oysters cultivated in Texas waters under state and federal regulations. The bill creates a specific tax deduction applied to taxable sales, calculated per oyster purchase, rather than changing the overall tax rate. This policy change takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies only to oysters grown and harvested within Texas.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1448: Relating to decedents' estates and other matters involving probate courts.

SB 1448 updates Texas probate court procedures for transferring estate cases between counties and handling wills. It requires courts to electronically send specific documents (like transfer certificates and final orders) when moving cases, and mandates that applicants pay for physical will delivery. The bill also clarifies that copies of wills with valid self-proving affidavits can be used if original wills cannot be produced. These changes directly affect individuals handling estates, executors, and county clerks managing probate records.

Bill results