HB 2713 allows municipalities with fewer than 50,000 residents to repeal their civil service systems for firefighters and police officers through a voter-approved process. If 10% of qualified voters sign a petition, the city must hold an election; a majority vote to repeal voids the civil service chapter in that municipality. The bill applies only to petitions where elections haven't been ordered before its effective date (June 20, 2025). This changes how small cities can manage hiring and promotion rules for public safety staff, shifting authority to local voters.
HB 694 requires the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to notify specific individuals about significant events involving children in their conservatorship. It mandates DFPS to provide a 24-hour notice to parents and their attorneys about medical changes, initial psychotropic medications, or placement changes, and a 48-hour notice before moving a child to a new residential facility. The bill also requires prompt notification (within 48 hours) of significant events to parents, attorneys, foster parents, volunteer advocates, and other designated individuals with a legal interest in the child’s welfare. This law directly affects parents, foster caregivers, child welfare advocates, and DFPS staff by establishing clear timing and recipients for critical notifications. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.
SB 1352 adjusts deadlines and penalties for property tax exemptions related to "freeport goods" (imported goods intended for re-export). It requires chief appraisers to extend exemption application deadlines to May 15 if property filing deadlines are extended to that date, with possible additional 60-day extensions for good cause. For approved applications, penalties are capped at 10% of either the tax difference or the actual tax amount owed. This bill directly affects property owners seeking tax exemptions for freeport goods under Texas Tax Code Section 11.251, applying only to applications filed on or after September 1, 2025.
This bill updates Texas laws governing the licensing and regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. It requires the state commission to create rules for hearing instrument sales, including contract requirements, record-keeping standards, and a 30-day trial period with plain language explanations for consumers. The legislation also modifies provisional licensing procedures for out-of-state professionals by allowing them to waive the sponsorship requirement if the department determines it would cause hardship. These changes aim to clarify consumer protections and streamline licensing processes for qualified professionals.
HCR 149 is a concurrent resolution directing the Texas governor to posthumously award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to U.S. Navy SEAL Nathan Gage Ingram. The bill specifically recognizes Ingram, a Roanoke native and member of SEAL Team 3, for his heroic actions during a 2024 military operation in Somalia where he lost his life attempting to rescue a fellow SEAL. This resolution does not create new law or affect policy - it formally requests the governor to bestow the state's highest military honor on Ingram in recognition of his "valiant military service" and sacrifice. The resolution was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, following passage by the Texas Legislature.
SB 2321 allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to temporarily waive enforcement of emissions limits for power plants and backup generators in the ERCOT grid region during declared grid reliability emergencies. When the ERCOT grid operator notifies TCEQ of a reliability issue, TCEQ must exempt these facilities from emissions rules for the duration of the event. Power plant operators must still document emissions exceedances, take reasonable steps to minimize pollution, and submit records to TCEQ. This bill directly affects power plant operators in Texas during grid stress events, providing a temporary exemption from emissions enforcement while requiring transparency and recordkeeping. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.
HB 4157 creates legal protections for commercial space flight companies by establishing requirements for liability waivers. It defines "space flight participant" as non-crew individuals aboard spacecraft and mandates that waivers must be in writing, printed in 10-point bold type, and signed by participants (including heirs and representatives). The bill also recognizes federal waivers under 14 C.F.R. § 440.17 as enforceable in Texas, covering contractors and customers. This law applies only to incidents occurring on or after its September 1, 2025 effective date.
SB 15 limits zoning restrictions for small residential lots (4,000 sq ft or less) in certain large Texas municipalities (population over 90,000 in counties over 300,000). It prohibits municipalities from requiring lots larger than 1,400 sq ft, wider than 20 feet, or deeper than 60 feet, and mandates a minimum density of 31.1 units per acre. The bill also bans restrictions on covered parking, parking space limits, building height (requiring at least 3 stories), and excessive open space requirements for small lots. Municipalities may still charge permitting fees equivalent to single-family lot fees but cannot impose other zoning rules inconsistent with these provisions.
HB 754 requires Texas health care facilities to post bilingual signs (in English, Spanish, and other languages spoken by 10%+ of staff) displaying human trafficking indicators, reporting resources, and a statement that medical assistants must complete trafficking prevention training. It mandates training for medical assistants through the Health and Human Services Commission and prohibits facilities from disciplining employees who report suspected trafficking in good faith. The law also requires facilities to disclose trafficking information to authorities as specified. This bill affects all Texas health care facilities and their medical assistant staff, taking effect September 1, 2025.
HB 5331 clarifies that contracts between state agencies or local governments and vendors (such as cybersecurity insurers) cannot include terms that prevent compliance with mandatory security incident notification requirements. Specifically, it makes void and unenforceable any contract language prohibiting or restricting government entities from reporting security incidents as required by law. This bill directly affects state and local government agencies that enter into contracts for goods, services, or cybersecurity insurance. It does not change existing notification requirements but ensures contract terms cannot bypass these legal obligations. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.
SB 3052 validates all prior actions taken by the Cole Ranch Improvement District No. 1 in Denton County, Texas, before the bill's effective date, except for matters already invalidated by court judgment or currently in litigation. It amends bond limits for the district, capping ad valorem tax bonds at 10% of the district's total property value and capping contract payment bonds at 10% of all districts' property value under the same contract. The bill ensures the district retains all existing powers and duties while confirming compliance with notice and procedural requirements under Texas law. It took effect immediately upon passage on June 20, 2025, directly affecting the Cole Ranch Improvement District and its property owners.
HCR 157 is a ceremonial resolution designating Rockport as the official "Redfish Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or impact regulations - only formally recognizes Rockport's reputation for redfish (red drum) fishing and coastal tourism. The resolution cites the city's natural beauty, thriving redfish population, and community efforts in conservation as the basis for the designation. This symbolic title expires automatically on the 10th anniversary of the resolution's passage.
