Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 155: Designating San Antonio as Military City Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 155 designates San Antonio as "Military City Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This ceremonial resolution formally recognizes the city's longstanding military ties, including its role as home to Joint Base San Antonio (the largest U.S. military base) and its economic contributions through military employment and infrastructure. It does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it simply grants San Antonio an official title for recognition purposes. The resolution was enacted after passing both legislative chambers and receiving the governor's signature in June 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1207: Relating to instruction on adoption in the parenting and paternity awareness program in public schools.

SB 1207 requires Texas public schools to include specific adoption information in their existing parenting and paternity awareness program for high school health classes, with optional use in middle/junior high schools. The bill mandates teaching three key adoption topics: differences between private adoption and foster care, processes for private/state adoption, and adoption as an alternative to parenthood. This policy change applies to all Texas public school districts beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on June 20, 2025, and took effect immediately.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3421: Relating to decedents' estates and other matters involving probate courts.

HB 3421 updates Texas probate court procedures for handling decedents' estates. It requires clerks to electronically transmit key documents (like transfer certificates, final orders, and will copies) when transferring cases between counties, and mandates applicants to cover delivery costs for physical wills. The bill also clarifies that a will copy with a valid self-proving affidavit meets legal requirements for probate, and specifies that original wills or their paper copies must be stored in the county clerk's office where probated, with strict rules for temporary removal. These changes directly affect estate administrators, probate courts, and county clerks handling estate cases across Texas.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 672: Relating to a requirement that certain hospitals submit a summary of parts of their emergency operations plans to the Health and Human Services Commission.

SB 672 requires hospitals with emergency departments to submit a confidential summary of their emergency diversion plans for cyber attacks or power outages to the Health and Human Services Commission. Hospitals must submit the initial summary by December 1, 2025, and update it within 30 days if they change the plan. This applies only to Texas-licensed hospitals that regularly provide emergency services. The summary covers how patients would be routed to other facilities during events that significantly limit emergency capacity.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3234: Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to regulate construction and renovation of structures owned by certain counties.

HB 3234 amends Texas law to clarify that cities or towns cannot regulate construction or renovation projects on buildings owned by large counties (population 3.3 million or more) located within their boundaries. This specifically affects cities that previously might have claimed authority over county-owned properties in their jurisdiction. The key provision limits regulatory power to only counties meeting the population threshold, removing ambiguity about which counties' properties fall under local building codes. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly impacts how cities interact with county-owned facilities like courthouses or jails in major metropolitan areas.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 128: Relating to certain sister-city agreements between governmental entities and foreign countries and communities.

HB 128 prohibits Texas governmental entities (including cities, counties, and state agencies) from establishing, maintaining, or renewing sister-city agreements with countries designated as "foreign adversaries" (China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia) or communities within those countries. It requires existing agreements with such countries to be terminated by October 1, 2025. The law defines "sister-city agreements" as formal partnerships fostering cultural, educational, and tourism exchanges with foreign communities. The prohibition expires on January 1, 2027, making it a temporary policy change affecting all Texas local and state governments.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1234: Relating to certain procedures required for the denial of certain applications for a license to carry a handgun.

HB 1234 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide applicants with written notice of a potential denial and a 30-day period to submit additional information before denying a handgun carry license application when a medical advisory board has indicated the applicant may be unable to exercise sound judgment regarding handgun use and storage. The bill applies only to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects individuals whose applications are flagged by the medical advisory board under the Health and Safety Code. Key provisions include mandating the department to forward applicant materials to the full medical advisory board for review and requiring the board to submit written reports on the applicant's judgment before the department makes a final licensing decision.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 457: Relating to the regulation of certain nursing facilities, including licensing requirements and Medicaid participation and reimbursement requirements.

This bill modifies Texas Medicaid payment rules for nursing facilities. It requires Medicaid to pay facilities within 10 days of a clean claim submission, enforces a patient care expense ratio, and mandates reductions in preventable events and unnecessary institutionalizations. Nursing facilities must comply with these standards to maintain Medicaid participation, while Medicaid managed care organizations must provide discharge planning, assist with income collection, and offer payment incentives for cost-reducing initiatives. A new claims portal system is also established for submitting claims to Medicaid managed care organizations. The bill directly affects nursing facilities receiving Medicaid payments and the managed care organizations administering those programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4238: Relating to the collection of consumer debt incurred by certain individuals as a result of identity theft.

HB 4238 prevents creditors and debt collectors from attempting to collect debts from individuals who are victims of identity theft, as verified by a court order. It requires these entities to stop collection efforts within seven business days of receiving proof of identity theft, stop reporting the debt to credit bureaus, and not sell the debt to third parties. The law does not apply to home loans or existing court judgments. This directly affects identity theft victims (who can halt debt collection) and debt collectors (who must comply with these restrictions), effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2237: Relating to severance pay for certain political subdivision employees.

SB 2237 (Local Government Code §180.011) limits severance pay for executive employees of Texas local governments (including city managers, department heads, and school superintendents). It caps severance pay from tax revenue at 20 weeks' salary (excluding PTO/vacation) and prohibits severance if an employee is terminated for misconduct (including criminal conduct). All severance agreements must be posted online by the local government, and new agreements or disputes after September 1, 2025, must comply. This bill directly affects executive-level employees in cities, counties, school districts, and charter schools.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1191: Relating to the development of a standard method of computing a student's high school grade point average.

SB 1191 requires the Texas commissioner of education to develop a standardized method for calculating high school grade point averages (GPAs). This method must give equal additional weight to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), OnRamps dual enrollment, and dual credit courses. Texas public school districts must use this standard method when calculating students' GPAs, affecting all high school students in the state. The bill became effective immediately on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1494: Relating to the authority of certain political subdivisions to change the date of their general elections.

SB 1494 allows certain local governments - specifically non-county political subdivisions and non-municipal utility districts - to switch their general election dates to the statewide November election date by December 31, 2026. It amends the Election Code to grant these entities the authority to align their election schedules with the uniform statewide election cycle. The bill does not apply to counties or municipal utility districts, which already follow the November election date. This change takes effect immediately after receiving the required two-thirds legislative vote, as confirmed by the bill's passage and gubernatorial signing on June 20, 2025.

Bill results