Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 2309: Relating to election integrity and security of ballot boxes, including by preventing fraud in the conduct of elections in this state; authorizing a penalty.

SB 2309 requires counties with populations over 100,000 to install video surveillance systems in all areas storing voted ballots, from delivery until final canvass, with public livestreams showing visible clocks. It also expands election watcher access to observe ballot box sealing, transfer, and processing at all handling locations. The bill directly affects large-county election offices and their ballot processing procedures. Key mechanisms include mandatory video monitoring of ballot storage areas and formalizing observer rights during ballot transport. These provisions aim to increase transparency during election processing without specifying new penalties or fraud prevention measures beyond the stated requirements.

passed · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 2639: Relating to the designation of a property as a historic landmark and the inclusion of a property in a historic district or similar preservation district by certain municipalities.

This bill (SB 2639) modifies Texas law to change how cities with populations over 950,000 can designate properties as historic landmarks or include them in historic districts. It requires property owner consent for designation, unless the city follows a specific process: providing a detailed impact statement (listing costs, tax benefits, and repair requirements) and making a written compensation offer to the owner if they object. If the owner rejects the offer, the city can seek court approval to proceed, with a judge appointing commissioners to assess damages. The law directly affects property owners in large Texas cities and aims to balance historic preservation with property rights.

passed · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SR 530: In memory of Gerald Todd Wimpee.

This is a commemorative resolution (SR 530) honoring Gerald Todd Wimpee, a Texas resident who advocated for disability rights and worked 27 years at a Papa John's location (noting him as the company's longest-serving Texas employee). The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's condolences to his family and recognizes his life, including his work with Berry Family Services and his career in retail. It does not create any new laws or policies, but formally pays tribute to his memory and advocacy.

passed both · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SJR 85: Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.

SJR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase Texas school district property tax exemptions for elderly or disabled homeowners. Currently, the exemption for these residents is $10,000; this bill would raise it to $60,000 of a home's market value. The amendment would allow the legislature to adjust this exemption amount, with provisions ensuring eligible individuals (65+ or disabled) cannot receive both the basic exemption and this enhanced benefit. It directly affects Texas homeowners aged 65 or older or with disabilities who own their primary residence. The bill requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 2637: Relating to disclosures about certain automated posts on social media platforms; providing a civil penalty.

SB 2637 requires social media platforms to disclose when content is posted by automated accounts (bots) that mimic human activity. Platforms must display a clear notice stating the content was posted by a bot and warn that such content may contain misinformation. Violations carry a civil penalty of up to $7,500 per offense, enforceable by the Texas Attorney General. The law directly affects social media companies operating in Texas and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 2403: Relating to the functions and duties of the Texas Ethics Commission.

SB 2403 requires campaign finance reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission to be submitted electronically (via software meeting commission standards) instead of by fax or hand delivery. Reports must be received electronically by midnight of the first business day after a contribution or expenditure, or by 5 p.m. the next business day if filed by fax or hand. The bill removes the requirement for most reports to include a signature affidavit and adjusts late-filing penalties, including a $500 flat fee for most late reports and tiered daily penalties for others. This directly affects campaign committees and candidates submitting financial reports under Texas election law.

passed · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SR 556: Recognizing the Randle High School football team for winning a State Championship.

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 556) recognizing the Randle High School football team for winning the 2024 University Interscholastic League 5A Division 2 State Championship. It formally commends the team's achievement of a perfect 16-0 season, including their 38-35 championship victory over South Oak Cliff High School, and requests a copy of the resolution be presented to the team. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as an expression of legislative recognition for the team's athletic accomplishment.

passed · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SR 552: Recognizing Soules Food on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

This is a ceremonial resolution (SR 552), not a policy bill. It recognizes Soules Food in Tyler for its 50th anniversary in April 2025. The resolution details the company's history - from its 1975 founding as Country Jim's Meats to becoming the nation's top producer of beef and chicken fajitas - and notes its economic contributions to East Texas. The Texas Senate formally commemorates the anniversary and will provide Soules Food with an official copy of the resolution as a gesture of recognition. No policy changes or financial impacts are involved.

passed · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SJR 40: Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the powers of the governor, the legislature, and the supreme court following certain disaster or emergency declarations.

SJR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the Texas governor to call a special legislative session if a disaster or emergency affects significant portions of the state (e.g., 40% of counties, half the population, or two-thirds of counties in three trauma areas). It would give the legislature the power to renew or extend emergency declarations beyond 30 days (90 days for nuclear/radiological events) and to pass related laws. The amendment also specifies that legislative votes on modifying or ending emergency declarations would not be subject to certain constitutional restrictions. This would directly affect how Texas manages prolonged emergencies by shifting authority to require legislative approval for extended emergency powers.

passed · Texas · House May 22, 2025

HB 5431: Relating to the exclusion of at-large and mayoral seats from the requirement of re-election following apportionment.

This bill amends Texas Local Government Code Section 21.006 to exempt certain city council and mayoral positions from requiring new elections after redistricting. Specifically, municipalities that elect council members or the mayor at-large (meaning elected by all voters citywide, not by district) will not need to hold new elections for those positions following a redistricting map change - unless the current term of the office would expire under existing law. The change directly affects Texas cities using at-large voting for council or mayoral seats, preventing unnecessary elections solely due to redistricting. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 2529: Relating to the vote required by the governing body of a taxing unit to adopt an ad valorem tax rate that exceeds the voter-approval tax rate or authorize the issuance of tax bonds.

SB 2529 requires local taxing units (like cities, school districts, or water districts) to obtain a supermajority vote from their governing body before adopting tax rates exceeding voter-approved limits or issuing certain bonds. Specifically, it mandates at least 60% approval for general obligation bonds and 75% approval for tax rates that exceed previously rejected voter-approved rates. The bill applies when a taxing unit seeks to raise taxes above the rate voters previously rejected in an election. This policy change directly affects local government decision-making on tax increases and bond issuances.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · House May 22, 2025

HB 3069: Relating to the approval of a certificate of convenience and necessity for certain transmission projects.

HB 3069 requires Texas' Public Utility Commission to establish new criteria for approving certain transmission projects in the ERCOT power grid that aren't needed for reliability. It mandates a 10-year cost-benefit analysis comparing project costs to estimated congestion savings for electricity consumers, applying a 3% discount to savings after year 5. The bill directly affects utility companies seeking transmission project approvals and Texas electricity consumers who bear associated costs. This policy change modifies how the Commission evaluates projects, focusing on long-term consumer savings rather than just grid reliability.

Bill results