HB 2516, the Chris Larkin ALS Act, requires Texas insurers to offer Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It mandates that these individuals receive the same coverage and premium rates as those 65 and older for standard plans (A, B, D), with non-standard plans capped at 200% of the 65+ rate. The bill creates a six-month enrollment window starting when a qualifying individual first enrolls in Medicare Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage, charge more for health conditions, or impose waiting periods. This law directly affects Texans under 65 with qualifying medical conditions who rely on Medicare, ensuring equitable access to supplemental insurance without medical underwriting. The bill became effective immediately on June 20, 2025.
HB 3016 restricts when rental companies can void damage waivers for rental vehicles. It prohibits voiding waivers unless damage results from intentional harm, unauthorized use (including by drivers under the influence, committing crimes, or using the vehicle for commercial purposes like carrying passengers for hire), or if the renter provided fraudulent information or failed to report a theft properly. The law applies only to rental agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing agreements. This directly affects renters who might otherwise face unexpected charges and rental companies operating in Texas.
HB 2563 establishes a temporary self-insurance pool for certified and insured prescribed burn managers (CIPBMs) in Texas, administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service. The program provides general liability coverage for CIPBMs conducting prescribed burns, covering minimum required amounts under state law while excluding workers' compensation, auto liability, and professional liability. Participation requires a written application, and coverage is funded solely through a dedicated program fund. This bill directly affects Texas-based CIPBMs by creating a streamlined insurance mechanism for burn-related liability risks.
HB 4623 creates new liability standards for Texas public schools and their employees regarding student sexual misconduct. It holds schools financially responsible if they act with gross negligence or intentional misconduct in hiring or supervising employees who commit sexual misconduct against students or fail to report suspected abuse. The law caps damages at $500,000 per victim in successful claims and requires the employee who committed the act to be named as a defendant. This directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and all professional school employees covered by the definition, including teachers, administrators, and even student interns. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.
HB 26 allows Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) in Texas to offer nutrition counseling and instruction services instead of certain mental health or substance use disorder services covered under the state Medicaid plan. The bill requires contracts between the state and MCOs to include this option, with the state Medicaid advisory committee approving which nutrition services may be substituted (excluding home-delivered meals, food prescriptions, or grocery support). MCOs must provide these nutrition services as an alternative, and the state must annually report on their usage and consider their costs when setting MCO payment rates. This policy directly affects Texas Medicaid beneficiaries who may receive nutrition services in place of other covered services and the MCOs managing their care.
HB 4395 requires issuers of public financial instruments (like bonds) to submit documents such as securities, records of proceedings, or credit agreements to Texas' Attorney General in electronic format with a digital signature, starting January 1, 2026. The Attorney General must then deliver these documents electronically to the Comptroller. This applies only to submissions made on or after the effective date, leaving prior submissions under existing rules. The bill streamlines the submission process but does not change the approval requirements for these financial instruments.
HB 2761 amends Texas Penal Code sections to clarify that in trafficking cases involving children or disabled individuals, defendants cannot claim the victim "lacked mental capacity" or "did not complete prostitution" as a defense. It specifically targets prosecutions under Sections 20A.02(a)(7)-(8) (trafficking for prostitution) and 43.01 (prostitution), directly affecting prosecutors and defendants in these cases. The law removes two common defense arguments, ensuring traffickers cannot avoid accountability based on the victim’s mental state or whether prostitution was completed. This change applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025). The bill does not create new crimes but strengthens prosecution pathways for vulnerable victims.
SB 1353 creates a new regulatory framework specifically for pilots serving in Cameron County's navigation district, replacing standard statewide pilot licensing rules. The bill establishes a local pilot board (composed of Cameron County navigation commissioners) with exclusive authority over pilotage in the county's ports and waterways, including setting pilotage rates. It sets detailed qualifications for branch pilots, requiring U.S. citizenship, 30 months of relevant experience, local residency, and specific navigational skills. The law directly affects pilots seeking licenses, vessel operators using Cameron County ports, and the pilot board itself, governing how pilots are licensed, regulated, and compensated within this single county's jurisdiction.
HB 1481 requires Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt written policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices (such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the school day on school property or at school events. Exceptions allow device use for students with documented medical needs, individualized education plans (IEPs), or health/safety protocols. Schools may implement either a full device ban or a secure storage system for devices during school hours, and must return confiscated devices or dispose of them after providing parents 90 days' written notice. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature.
This bill (SB 1372) requires prosecutors in Texas to designate defense attorneys as authorized users of the state's crime laboratory portal. It directly affects criminal defendants' attorneys, enabling them to access crime lab records needed for discovery under state law. The key provision mandates that prosecutors must formally authorize defense counsel to use the portal to request relevant evidence, replacing current practices. The change applies only to criminal cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior cases remaining under the old rules. This streamlines access to evidence for defense teams while maintaining prosecutorial oversight.
HB 3104 requires judges of specific district courts in Webb County (30th, 70th, 71st, 78th, 89th, and 161st districts, plus Taylor County district and county courts) to appoint bailiffs. It repeals existing compensation provisions (Sections 53.001(i) and 53.009(d) of the Government Code) but preserves current pay arrangements for bailiffs already serving in the 341st and 406th district courts before the law’s effective date. These existing bailiffs will continue receiving Webb County compensation and eligibility for cost-of-living increases as before. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects Webb County court operations and bailiff staffing requirements.
HB 367 requires Texas public school districts to create a standardized form for verifying excused absences due to students' severe or life-threatening illnesses. The form must be certified by a licensed physician and include specific details: the illness type, confirmation it is serious/life-threatening, the expected absence duration, and a statement that attendance is infeasible during that period. School districts cannot demand additional documentation beyond this form. The bill directly affects students with qualifying illnesses, their parents/guardians (who provide the form), and school districts (which must adopt the form). It standardizes the verification process without changing existing absence policies.
