Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1346: Relating to prohibited sales to persons attempting to purchase all or substantially all possible winning tickets in a lottery drawing.

SB 1346 prohibits lottery retailers from knowingly selling tickets to individuals attempting to purchase all or nearly all possible winning tickets in a single drawing. This law directly affects licensed lottery sales agents (retailers) who could face license revocation for each location where they violate this rule. The bill establishes a formal process where the lottery commission must revoke licenses after a hearing for such violations, and revocation subjects the retailer to a one-year ban on reapplying for a sales license. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, aiming to prevent ticket aggregation schemes that could undermine lottery fairness.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1470: Relating to requiring the Department of Public Safety to share data for the purpose of maintaining the statewide voter registration list.

SB 1470 requires Texas' Department of Public Safety (DPS) to share data about residents applying for out-of-state driver's licenses or ID cards with the secretary of state. This data helps identify voters who: (1) have changed addresses, (2) no longer qualify for registration under state law, or (3) are registered in multiple states. The law aims to maintain accurate statewide voter registration lists by preventing duplicate registrations and address mismatches. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all Texas voters holding active licenses who apply for licenses in other states.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3623: Relating to the manner of solicitation of bids for certain purchases by the comptroller of public accounts and state agencies.

HB 3623 updates how Texas state agencies and the comptroller must solicit bids for certain purchases. It replaces "telegraph" with "fax" and adds "online electronic transmission" as acceptable methods, while removing outdated options. The bill directly affects state agencies and the comptroller when requesting bids for eligible purchases. It takes effect September 1, 2025, modernizing procurement procedures to include digital methods.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4666: Relating to certain reports required to be prepared or submitted by or in collaboration with the Health and Human Services Commission or submitted to the governor or a member of the legislature under the Health and Safety Code.

HB 4666 modifies reporting requirements for Texas' Health and Human Services Commission related to Medicaid programs. It changes annual reports to quarterly updates for the Data Analysis Unit and adds new reports on anomalies to the inspector general. The bill requires the Commission to submit biennial reports on Medicaid system implementation, including assessments of access, care quality, and recommendations for improvements. These changes directly affect the Commission, its Data Analysis Unit, and legislative committees overseeing Medicaid. The bill updates existing reporting schedules under the Health and Safety Code without altering Medicaid program benefits or funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 34: Relating to funding for certain volunteer fire departments, to the preparation for and the prevention, management, and potential effects of wildfires, and to emergency communications in this state.

This bill (SB 34) requires the Texas A&M Forest Service and West Texas A&M University to jointly study wildfire risks across the state, focusing on combustible material buildup ("fuel loading") in different zones and assessing economic impacts like property loss and mitigation costs. It authorizes an increase in insurance assessments on certain insurers to fund the Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund, directly supporting volunteer fire departments. The study will identify high-risk areas and evaluate whether wildfire mitigation investments protect property value. The law, signed by the governor in June 2025, becomes effective September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1639: Relating to a study on the increased incidence of cancer in female firefighters in this state.

HB 1639 directs the Texas Department of State Health Services, in collaboration with the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, to study whether female firefighters in Texas have higher rates of certain cancers (like breast and ovarian cancer) compared to other women in the state. The study will use existing cancer registry data and readily available sources, requiring a report with findings and recommendations to be submitted to the legislature by September 1, 2026. The bill does not create new laws or funding but mandates this specific analysis to assess potential health risks. The study is required to be made publicly available online by the agencies involved.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 766: Relating to the correction of references to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.

SB 766 corrects the name of the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality throughout the Texas Agriculture Code. It updates references in sections governing pesticide regulations, water quality protections, and agency responsibilities to reflect the new agency name. The bill makes no substantive changes to pesticide rules or environmental policies - only correcting the agency name in existing law. It became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1839: Relating to the delivery of records, including a will, in probate proceedings transferred to other courts.

SB 1839 requires courts transferring probate cases to deliver the original will or a copy (as permitted under existing law) to the receiving court using specific methods: registered/certified mail (with return receipt), common carrier (with proof of delivery), or a designated delivery service (like FedEx/UPS). The party requesting the case transfer must pay for this delivery. This rule applies to all probate cases pending or started on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects probate court clerks and individuals involved in transferring cases. The bill streamlines the handling of wills during court transfers without changing probate procedures.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 713: Relating to an exception to certain reporting requirements for health care providers reviewing selected cases for the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee.

HB 713 exempts healthcare providers (including nurses) from certain mandatory reporting requirements when they review cases for the Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee. The bill adds Section 34.0085 to the Health and Safety Code, stating that providers do not need to report profession-related conduct they learn about during these committee case reviews. This applies only to information gathered specifically for the committee's review process, not to other situations. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 264: Relating to discontinuing group self-insurance coverage and dissolving the Texas self-insurance group guaranty fund and trust fund under the Texas Workers' Compensation Act.

SB 264 prohibits new group self-insurance programs in Texas after September 1, 2025, and requires the dissolution of the Texas self-insurance group guaranty fund and trust fund. It mandates that the fund’s board submit a wind-down plan by December 1, 2025, outlining how remaining funds will be distributed to qualified self-insurance groups and how stakeholders will be notified. Once approved, the fund must distribute leftover money to eligible groups and then cease operations, with the board being abolished 30 days after the commissioner issues the final order. This directly affects the existing self-insurance fund structure and the groups currently using it under Texas workers' compensation.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1592: Relating to an alert system for dangerous plant and wildlife pests and diseases administered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

HB 1592 creates a statewide internet-based alert system managed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to notify the public about dangerous plant and wildlife pests, diseases, and quarantine orders. The system requires agencies like the Texas Department of Agriculture and Parks and Wildlife to share information within 72 hours, enabling email notifications for confirmed cases, quarantine changes, or compliance agreements. It directly affects farmers, ranchers, and residents in areas impacted by pest outbreaks by providing timely alerts. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and mandates coordination between state agencies to ensure rapid public notification.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1500: Relating to the continuation and functions of the Department of Information Resources, including the composition of the governing body of the department and, in collaboration with the comptroller, the administration of state assistance opportunities.

HB 1500 requires Texas' Department of Information Resources to create and deliver a quarterly in-person certification course on procuring information resources technologies. This course is available to state employees holding existing purchasing or contract management certifications (under Sections 656.051 and 656.052) and counts toward their continuing education requirements. The bill also mandates annual training for upper management at state agencies on best practices for purchasing these technologies, though participation is voluntary. These provisions aim to improve procurement standards for state technology purchases by enhancing staff expertise. The law took effect September 1, 2025.

Bill results