Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1610: Relating to sexually violent predators, to the Texas Civil Commitment Office, and to the prosecution of the offense of harassment by sexually violent predators and other persons confined in certain facilities; amending certain sex offender registration requirements; increasing criminal penalties.

SB 1610 increases penalties for individuals civilly committed as sexually violent predators who commit new offenses. It mandates life imprisonment or 25-99 years for felony convictions if the person was a sexually violent predator at the time of the offense (Section 1 of the Penal Code). The bill also elevates harassment offenses by these individuals to a third-degree felony (Section 21.08) and creates a presumption that assaulters knew they were targeting Texas Civil Commitment Office staff wearing distinctive uniforms (Section 22.01). The law directly affects people under civil commitment for sexually violent predator status who commit new crimes, effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2986: Relating to use by a religious organization of public school or institution of higher education facilities.

SB 2986 allows public school districts and institutions of higher education in Texas to permit religious organizations to use their facilities for worship, services, or assemblies under specific conditions. It requires that such use must not interfere with the institution's educational mission, the religious group must pay fair market value for facilities (or have it waived), and the group must cover liability for damages. The bill also prohibits state agencies or school districts from penalizing schools for allowing this use or denying funding based on such decisions. Schools and colleges retain the right to choose not to allow religious groups to use their facilities. The law becomes effective September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3833: Relating to the regulation of money services businesses.

HB 3833 amends Texas law to strengthen background checks for key personnel in money services businesses (like check cashers and money transmitters). It requires individuals who control, seek to acquire control of, or serve as key managers of these businesses to provide fingerprints for FBI background checks and detailed personal histories - including credit reports, criminal records, and any past regulatory actions related to fraud or financial misconduct. The bill also clarifies that accepting an application for a money services license does not mean the commissioner has approved the business's qualifications, only that all required documents were submitted. This directly affects businesses seeking or holding money services licenses in Texas, effective September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3815: Relating to issuance of specialty license plates for certain United States Army Rangers.

HB 3815 creates two new specialty license plates for Texas drivers: one for all U.S. Army Rangers (active or former unit members or Ranger School graduates) and another specifically for members of the 75th Ranger Regiment. The plates must feature designated insignia - such as the Ranger tab or 75th Regiment insignia - along with the words "U.S. Army Ranger" or "75th Army Ranger Regiment." This bill amends Texas Transportation Code to add these plate options, effective September 1, 2025. It directly affects eligible Army Rangers and their families who wish to display these plates.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2431: Relating to requiring foreign language credit opportunities for students enrolled in study abroad components or programs offered by certain institutions of higher education in this state.

SB 2431 requires Texas public and private universities offering study abroad programs in non-English-speaking countries to provide students enrolled in those programs the option to earn foreign language credit toward their degree. The law applies to institutions with baccalaureate programs that include such study abroad components, starting with the 2025-2026 academic year. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will establish rules to implement this requirement. This policy directly affects students participating in international study programs at Texas universities and the institutions that operate them. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1445: Relating to the compensation of counsel appointed to provide representation and services to indigent individuals in criminal and juvenile proceedings.

HB 1445 updates payment rules for attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants in Texas criminal and juvenile court cases. It requires counties to establish fee schedules with clear hourly rates or fixed fees that account for attorney overhead costs, and mandates that appointed counsel submit itemized service records for approval. The bill sets a 60-day deadline for judges or program directors to approve or deny payments with written justification, and creates a 45-day payment window after approval. These changes apply to expenses incurred on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting court-appointed defense attorneys and county payment systems.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2731: Relating to the regulation of roadside vendors and solicitors in certain counties.

HB 2731 amends Texas law to regulate roadside vendors and solicitors in unincorporated areas of counties bordering Mexico with populations exceeding 870,000. The bill permits counties to set rules for vendors and solicitors on public highways with speed limits of 40 mph or higher, requiring vendors to stay at least half the highway right-of-way width from the edge. It explicitly prohibits counties from banning the sale of livestock while allowing regulation of activities like live animal sales and solicitation. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SCR 21: In memory of Edwin Elmer Perryman of Tyler.

This is a ceremonial resolution (SCR 21) commemorating Edwin Elmer Perryman of Tyler, who died on October 30, 2024. It honors his life, including his 36-year career with AT&T, his role as a devoted family man (with nine children and eight grandchildren), and his community involvement. The resolution extends condolences to his wife, children, sisters, grandchildren, and extended family. As a memorial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on legislation or regulations.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1936: Relating to the definition of an abuse unit for certain controlled substances under the Texas Controlled Substances Act.

SB 1936 amends Texas law to clarify the definition of an "abuse unit" for certain controlled substances listed in Penalty Group 1-A. It specifies that an abuse unit equals: (1) a single unit on common carriers like blotter paper or tablets, (2) a quarter-inch square of unmarked paper (rounded down), or (3) 40 micrograms of a substance in liquid/solid form. This definition directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors when determining criminal charges for drug offenses under the Texas Controlled Substances Act. The change standardizes how quantities are measured for penalties, applying only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1533: Relating to the system for appraising property for ad valorem tax purposes.

HB 1533 amends Texas property tax appraisal rules to improve notice requirements and training standards. It requires certified mail for specific property tax notices and adds electronic signature verification for agent designations. The bill mandates that at least one trainer for taxpayer education courses must be a Texas-licensed attorney with five years of property tax experience, excluding those with prior ties to appraisal districts or review boards. This ensures taxpayer representatives with direct experience lead training, while allowing limited exceptions if qualified candidates are unavailable. The changes apply to property tax appraisal systems used by counties and taxing entities across Texas.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 43: Relating to the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority and certain programs administered by the authority.

HB 43 amends Texas law to update the definition of "agricultural business" in the Agriculture Code, explicitly including rural recreational businesses (like hiking or fishing on farmland) and nonprofit land conservation groups. It also revises the composition of the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority's board, requiring the governor to appoint nine members with specific representation: two young farmers/ranchers, two representatives from rural entities (chambers, trade associations), and others with agricultural lending expertise. These changes directly affect entities applying for the Authority's loan and grant programs, such as farmers, ranchers, rural tourism businesses, and conservation nonprofits. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, after passing both chambers unanimously.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1923: Relating to the modification of certain orders providing for the support of a child.

SB 1923 modifies Texas child support orders to direct payments to the parent with physical custody under specific circumstances. It allows courts to redirect payments when the non-custodial parent voluntarily relinquishes primary care for six months, is incarcerated for 90+ days, or enters certain agreements (like parental safety placement agreements under Section 264.902). The bill requires courts to hold hearings within 30 days for safety placement agreement cases and mandates that unpaid support accrue from the date of the qualifying event. This directly affects parents with physical custody, child support obligors, and family courts handling custody disputes. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Bill results