Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 955: Relating to the punishment for the offense of trafficking of persons.

SB 955 increases penalties for human trafficking in Texas by elevating certain offenses to first-degree felony status. It specifically enhances punishments when trafficking occurs near schools, colleges, shelters for vulnerable populations (like runaway youth or trafficking survivors), or during school events, within 1,000 feet of these locations. The bill also raises penalties if the victim is a child or disabled person, if serious injury or death occurs, or if traffickers use deadly weapons or obstruct breathing. These changes apply only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025. The law directly affects traffickers who commit offenses in these specified circumstances.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 546: Relating to seat belts on buses that transport children.

Texas Senate Bill 546 requires school buses transporting children to be equipped with three-point seat belts for all passengers, including the driver. School districts may request an exception if they determine it is not feasible due to budget constraints (after a public vote), or if using buses purchased before 2017 or newer buses where budget limitations prevent compliance. The bill also allows school districts to accept gifts, grants, or donations to cover the costs of implementing these seat belt requirements. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting school districts and bus operators in Texas.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1401: Relating to the creation of the Texas Mental Health Profession Pipeline Program by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

SB 1401 creates the Texas Mental Health Profession Pipeline Program, managed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, to help students transfer from public junior colleges to four-year institutions for mental health careers. It directly affects public junior college students and participating universities by guaranteeing they won’t lose credits when transferring, can earn a bachelor’s degree in under two years, and get automatic admission to advanced programs if they meet academic requirements. The program covers pathways to licensure for psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other mental health professionals. It requires universities to partner with junior colleges to design clear transfer pathways, ensuring seamless credit transfers and faster degree completion.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2139: Relating to the authority of the Texas Military Department to negotiate the release of a reversionary interest and certain other interests of the state in certain property in Palo Pinto County owned by the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association.

SB 2139 authorizes the Texas Military Department to negotiate with the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association for the release of the state's reversionary interest and other retained interests in a specific property in Palo Pinto County. The bill requires the department to determine the fair market value of the property (transferred to Mineral Wells in 1953) and assess whether the state received equivalent value through the property's use for public livestock shows and rodeos since transfer. If the state received fair value via this public use, it will release the interests without payment; otherwise, it will seek monetary compensation. This bill directly affects the Livestock Association, which uses the property for public events, and the state, which holds retained interests in buildings on the land.