Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3464: Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for the offenses of providing or possessing with the intent to provide an alcoholic beverage, a controlled substance, or a dangerous drug to a person in the custody of a correctional facility, taking an alcoholic beverage, a controlled substance, or a dangerous drug into a correctional facility, and taking a controlled substance or dangerous drug on property owned, used, or controlled by a correctional facility.

HB 3464 increases criminal penalties for bringing alcohol, drugs, or dangerous substances into a correctional facility or onto its property, with the highest penalties specifically targeting employees of the facility. It reclassifies offenses by correctional staff as second-degree felonies (previously third-degree), and if such an offense causes a death, it becomes a first-degree felony punishable by 15-99 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. The law applies to anyone who provides, possesses with intent to provide, or brings these items into a facility or on its grounds, but the enhanced penalties focus on employees. The bill took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2480: Relating to the Texas Physician Health Program and the regulation of certain occupations by the Texas Medical Board; expanding the applicability of surcharges.

SB 2480 adds two new surcharges for medical license holders in Texas. It imposes a $15 fee for initial registration and license renewals to fund the Texas Physician Health Program, and an additional fee for National Practitioner Data Bank searches, both paid by licensed medical professionals regulated by the Texas Medical Board. Funds from these surcharges must go exclusively to program administration (like evaluations by the medical director) and cannot cover participant medical costs or treatment. The bill directly affects all physicians and medical professionals holding licenses under the Texas Medical Board.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5672: Relating to the boundaries of, and validating certain acts and proceedings of, the Driftwood Conservation District.

HB 5672 clarifies and formally defines the boundaries of the Driftwood Conservation District in Hays County, Texas, by amending its existing legal description. The bill specifically validates all prior actions and proceedings of the district within the newly defined 394.112-acre tract, which is described using precise property survey terms. This boundary adjustment directly affects landowners within the district and ensures legal consistency for the district's operations. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and being filed without the governor's signature.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 217: Relating to establishing the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program; authorizing a fee.

SB 217 establishes the Historic Texas Freedmen’s Cemetery Designation Program through the Texas Historical Commission. It allows cemeteries containing at least one freed slave’s grave to apply for official recognition, requiring applicants to prove the cemetery’s existence and historical significance. The program includes a $25 application fee, and approved cemeteries may display a commemorative medallion. The designation aims to inform the public and adjacent landowners about the historical value of these sites.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3114: Relating to the view of the State Capitol.

HB 3114 defines four specific geographic corridors surrounding the Texas State Capitol to preserve views of the building. The bill establishes precise boundary lines for the South Mall, Waterloo Park, Wooldridge Park, and French Legation corridors using detailed coordinates and elevation points. These definitions will apply to future development within these areas, requiring consideration of Capitol views under state law. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor. It directly affects developers and planners working within these designated corridors.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1376: Relating to the supervision requirements of a code enforcement officer in training.

This bill amends Texas law to change supervision requirements for code enforcement officers in training. It requires trainees to work under a registered supervisor, unless their employer does not employ any registered supervisors (in which case they may work unsupervised). The policy directly affects municipalities and employers hiring code enforcement trainees across Texas. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2075: Relating to the establishment, powers and duties, terms, and governance of certain advisory bodies for programs administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

SB 2075 standardizes the structure and governance of advisory bodies for programs under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (DLR). It establishes formal "advisory boards" (replacing previous "committees") to advise DLR on policy, legislation, and administration, with specific membership requirements for boards like the one governing driver education. Key provisions define membership terms (staggered six-year terms), require appointments by the commission's presiding officer, and specify member categories (e.g., three driver education providers, three driving safety providers, one instructor). The bill directly affects DLR advisory groups and their members, ensuring consistent governance across DLR-administered programs without creating new regulatory requirements.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3749: Relating to the regulation of the provision of elective intravenous therapy.

HB 3749, known as "Jenifer's Law," establishes new regulations for elective intravenous (IV) therapy in Texas, defined as non-emergency treatments (like hydration or vitamin infusions) sought for temporary wellness or symptom relief, not administered in hospitals, licensed health facilities, or physician offices. The law allows physicians to delegate prescribing and administering such therapy to physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and registered nurses, but only under direct physician supervision. It prohibits these services in specific settings (e.g., hospitals or clinics) and requires prescriptive agreements to count toward existing limits under Texas law. The law took effect September 1, 2025, applying to all elective IV therapy provided after that date.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1506: Relating to the frequency with which the Board of Pardons and Paroles reconsiders inmates for release on parole.

SB 1506 sets new timelines for when Texas' Board of Pardons and Paroles must reconsider inmates for parole after a denial. It requires the board to review most inmates' cases between one and five years after denial, while extending this window to one to ten years for inmates serving sentences for certain serious offenses (like those under Section 22.021 of the Penal Code or life sentences for capital felonies). The law applies to all inmates confined in Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities on or after September 1, 2025, regardless of when their offense occurred. The bill, signed into law in June 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 137: Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War.

HCR 137 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Texas Legislature to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War (April 30, 2025). It expresses the Legislature's gratitude to U.S. military personnel who served in the conflict and acknowledges the sacrifice of over 58,000 service members who died. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it is a formal statement of remembrance with no direct impact on citizens, programs, or funding.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1318: Relating to restrictions on covenants not to compete for physicians and certain health care practitioners.

SB 1318 restricts non-compete agreements for physicians and certain healthcare practitioners in Texas. It requires such agreements to allow physicians access to patient lists (from the prior year) and medical records upon patient authorization, include a buyout option at no more than the physician's annual salary, and prohibit restrictions during acute illness treatment. The bill mandates that non-compete terms expire within one year of contract termination and limit geographic restrictions to a five-mile radius. These provisions directly affect healthcare providers entering employment or partnership agreements in Texas. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3687: Relating to certification requirements for a fire marshal and any related employee, officer, inspector, and investigator appointed by certain counties and emergency services districts.

HB 3687 requires fire marshals and related staff (officers, inspectors, investigators) in counties with 100,000+ residents or districts wholly within such counties to obtain specific certifications from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Within 12 months of appointment, fire marshals must hold a prevention-only fire department certification and a fire protection personnel certification, and within 24 months, a fire marshal basic certification. Additionally, those acting as peace officers must hold a permanent peace officer license, and staff conducting fire inspections must meet Texas Commission fire inspection certification standards. This bill applies to all county fire marshals and district fire marshals in qualifying areas, effective September 1, 2025.

Bill results