Texas Bills

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 3883: Relating to the eligibility of certain events for funding under the major events reimbursement program.

HB 3883 adds the FIA World Endurance Championship international automobile race to the list of events eligible for state funding under Texas's major events reimbursement program. This change directly affects the FIA World Endurance Championship race by making it qualify for reimbursement of certain costs incurred during the event. The bill amends the definition of "Event" in state law to include this specific race as a qualifying activity. It does not create new funding but expands existing eligibility to cover this international motorsport event. The change applies to the race itself, not to other types of events or broader policy changes.

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 3954: Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project.

HB 3954 amends Texas Tax Code to allow specific municipalities (meeting strict population, location, or geographic criteria like bordering Lake Lewisville or containing a Texas Tech component) to use hotel and convention center tax revenue for related project costs. The bill establishes eligibility for 16 defined city types, including those with populations over 95,000 in designated counties or with specific geographic features. It permits these cities to pledge existing hotel tax revenue to pay for obligations tied to such projects, without creating new taxes. The policy change directly affects only the qualifying municipalities listed in the bill’s 16 criteria.

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 4412: Relating to the use of hotel occupancy tax revenue for certain public improvement projects by certain municipalities.

HB 4412 allows specific Texas municipalities (those bordering Mexico, with hotel occupancy rates exceeding 90% and over 40% of visitors staying in hotels) to use up to 25% of their unspent hotel tax revenue for tourism-related public projects. The bill requires these cities to maintain funding for existing priorities at pre-2025 levels and cap their hotel tax rate at 2% within eight years of using the funds. It prohibits using these tax dollars for tourism projects after December 31, 2034, and expires entirely by that date. This bill directly affects qualifying border municipalities with significant tourism economies.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 5681: Relating to the powers of the Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improvement District.

HB 5681 modifies the powers of the Westwood Magnolia Parkway Improvement District in Texas by requiring utility companies (like water, gas, or internet providers) to cover the costs of relocating their infrastructure when the district undertakes road or public improvement projects. Specifically, the district must provide 30 days' written notice detailing the project scope and timeline, and utilities must relocate their facilities at their own expense or face reimbursement demands with interest if they fail to comply. The bill also clarifies that existing contracts between the district and utilities may override these requirements, and it does not apply to facilities outside public right-of-way unless agreed otherwise. This directly affects the district’s road projects and utility companies operating within the district’s jurisdiction.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 4213: Relating to the accrual of interest on overdue child support.

HB 4213 increases the interest rate for overdue child support payments in Texas from 3% to 6% simple interest annually. It directly affects non-custodial parents who owe unpaid child support, applying the new rate to: (1) delinquent payments exceeding monthly obligations, (2) confirmed child support judgments, and (3) lump-sum retroactive payments. The bill sets the new rate to apply to payments due on or after January 1, 2026, while existing arrears before that date follow transitional rules (3% before 2002, current rate 2002-2025, then 6% from 2026). The law takes effect September 1, 2025, but the rate change only applies to future obligations.

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 3672: Relating to the creation of an extracurricular community education grant program.

HB 3672 creates a state grant program to fund after-school and summer community education programs for students. Eligible organizations, such as schools or community groups, can apply for funding to provide programs in areas like arts, STEM, health, and academic enrichment outside regular school hours. The bill aims to improve student academic performance, reduce truancy, support mental health, and build community partnerships by expanding access to these programs. It requires the Texas Education Commissioner to establish the grant program with specific goals focused on student engagement and equitable resource access.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 1201: Relating to a pilot program to provide Medicaid coverage of doula services.

HB 1201 creates a two-year Medicaid pilot program in Texas to cover doula services for eligible pregnant individuals. The program, launching in 2026 in the most populous county and the county with the highest maternal health needs, provides nonmedical childbirth support like emotional and physical coaching during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum. The Health and Human Services Commission must report annually on costs and birth outcomes, and submit a final evaluation by 2030 to determine if the program should continue or expand. The pilot expires September 1, 2031, after which coverage would not automatically continue.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 3720: Relating to the construction of bridges in Harris County.

HB 3720 requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design and build two bridges in Harris County to separate train tracks from road traffic. Specifically, it mandates construction at the intersections of Little York Road/Hirsch Road and Tidwell Road/Hirsch Road to eliminate grade crossings. The bill directly affects Harris County residents and commuters by aiming to reduce traffic congestion at these rail-road intersections through physical infrastructure changes. It does not alter existing laws but creates a new obligation for TxDOT to complete these projects by September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 3178: Relating to the authority of certain counties to impose a hotel occupancy tax.

HB 3178 allows counties with the headwaters of the Guadalupe River to impose a hotel occupancy tax, but only on hotels not already subject to a municipal tax under Chapter 351. This bill directly affects counties in the Guadalupe River watershed and hotels operating in those counties without an existing city-level hotel tax. The key provision prevents double taxation by exempting hotels in municipalities that already collect such taxes. The bill takes effect immediately if approved by a two-thirds vote, or on September 1, 2025, if not.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 1359: Relating to a program to provide assistance for certain retail electric customers.

HB 1359 creates an "Income-Based Assistance Fund" to provide financial help for low-income retail electric customers in Texas. The bill establishes a trust fund financed by a fee (up to 65 cents per megawatt hour) charged to retail electric providers and collected from customers based on usage. This fund, managed by the comptroller and administered by the Health and Human Services Commission, will offer monetary assistance to eligible low-income households identified through an automatic process. The program directly affects low-income electricity users and requires electric providers to collect the fee, with the commission setting the fee amount biennially to cover administrative costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 4098: Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue for hotel and convention center projects.

HB 4098 allows specific Texas municipalities to use hotel and convention center tax revenue for related projects. It expands eligibility to 16 defined city types based on population thresholds (e.g., cities over 95,000 residents) or geographic criteria (e.g., bordering Lake Lewisville or containing specific landmarks like the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame). The bill amends tax code provisions to permit these cities to pledge existing hotel/convention tax revenue to cover construction costs and project-related debt. This policy change directly affects qualifying cities seeking to finance convention facilities or hotel developments using dedicated tax streams.

passed · Texas · House May 21, 2025

HB 1788: Relating to continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists on identifying and assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.

HB 1788 requires barbers and cosmetologists licensed in Texas to complete continuing education on identifying and assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking. The bill mandates the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation to adopt rules requiring this training as part of license renewal. It directly affects all licensed barbers and cosmetologists in Texas, who must complete this education by the bill's effective date. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, with the commission required to adopt rules promptly after enactment.

Bill results