Texas Bills

passed · Texas · House May 20, 2025

HB 2301: Relating to searches of the state registry of paternity.

HB 2301 shortens the deadline for men to register as potential fathers in Texas' state paternity registry from 31 days to 14 days after a child's birth. It requires the vital statistics unit to notify registrants if they miss this deadline. The bill also adjusts the timing for adoption or parental rights petitioners to request a registry search, allowing it on or after the 15th day after birth (instead of the 32nd day). These changes apply only to children born on or after the bill's effective date, with prior cases governed by previous law.

passed · Texas · House May 20, 2025

HB 1233: Relating to measures to encourage the earning of industry-recognized credentials at public institutions of higher education.

HB 1233 requires Texas public colleges and universities to encourage students to earn "credentials of value" - industry-recognized certifications in high-demand fields, as defined by the Texas Workforce Commission. The bill mandates that institutions promote these credentials within degree programs, ensure credit transferability between schools, and allow financial aid to cover related costs. It also establishes an 8% benchmark for institutions to earn a "successful outcomes distinction" if at least 8% of graduates obtain such credentials annually. A task force, including education and workforce representatives, will develop a framework to help students earn multiple credentials alongside bachelor’s degrees within four years.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Texas · Senate May 20, 2025

SR 554: In memory of Christopher "Chris" Jake Stone.

This resolution (SR 554) honors Christopher "Chris" Jake Stone, a 17-year-old Santa Fe High School student who died heroically in the 2018 school shooting while barricading a classroom door to protect classmates. It commemorates his posthumous recognition as a Young Hero Award recipient and his legacy of selflessness. The Texas Senate formally adopted the resolution to pay tribute to his life and courage, and adjourned in his memory. (Note: This is a commemorative resolution, not a bill with policy changes.)

passed · Texas · Senate May 20, 2025

SR 533: Recognizing the Texas Legislative Internship Program Class of the 89th Legislature.

This resolution (SR 533) is a ceremonial Senate commendation recognizing 29 student interns who participated in the Texas Legislative Internship Program during the 89th Legislative Session. It formally acknowledges their service in legislative offices, state agencies, and local government, highlighting the program's role since 1990 in providing students with practical government experience. The resolution does not create new laws or policies - it simply expresses the Senate's appreciation for these interns' contributions. The program is administered by the Mickey Leland Center at Texas Southern University.

passed · Texas · House May 20, 2025

HB 1876: Relating to the establishment of a career and technical education reporting grant program by the Texas Education Agency.

HB 1876 creates a grant program for Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to improve data collection and reporting on career and technical education (CTE) programs. The Texas Education Agency will award grants to fund software, training, and strategies for tracking student participation in CTE activities - including work-based learning, industry certifications, and career readiness - while breaking down data by race, ethnicity, gender, and special populations. Schools can also use grants to integrate CTE data with the state’s education information system. This program aims to enhance CTE program effectiveness and student outcomes through better data-driven decision-making.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Texas · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 2439: Relating to the operation of off-highway vehicles.

SB 2439 amends Texas law to change rules for operating off-highway vehicles (OHVs) on public lands owned by the state or local governments. It removes the requirement for a safety certificate (previously in the bill's title) and clarifies that OHV operation on public OHV areas or beaches must comply with both the Transportation Code and Parks and Wildlife Code. The bill repeals several existing sections of the Transportation Code related to OHV regulations, including safety certificate provisions and specific operational restrictions. This change directly affects OHV users accessing public lands, requiring them to follow updated compliance standards starting September 1, 2025. The bill focuses on streamlining regulatory language without creating new fees or restrictions.

passed · Texas · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 375: Relating to the continuation of a health care provider participation program by the Harris County Hospital District.

SB 375 extends the expiration date for Harris County Hospital District's existing healthcare provider participation program from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2027. The bill modifies Section 299.004 of the Health and Safety Code to allow the program to continue operating beyond its original deadline. This directly affects the district's ability to maintain its current healthcare provider network without requiring new program design or funding changes. The legislation only extends the operational timeline for an existing program, with no new policy provisions or eligibility changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 1099: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain offenses committed by an illegal alien.

SB 1099 increases criminal penalties for certain felony offenses committed by individuals classified as "illegal aliens" under Texas law. It requires judges to make an affirmative finding if a defendant was an illegal alien (defined as someone who entered without inspection or violated nonimmigrant status) at the time of the offense, triggering higher penalties. For non-capital felonies, this raises the punishment to the next higher category; for first-degree felonies, it mandates a minimum 15-year prison term. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and was recently reported favorably by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on May 15, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

passed · Texas · House May 19, 2025

HR 1133: Recognizing May 19, 2025, as Trooper Day at the Texas Capitol.

This resolution formally recognizes May 19, 2025, as "Trooper Day" at the Texas Capitol to honor Region VII of the Texas Department of Public Safety. It commends the officers and staff for their 33+ years of security work protecting the Capitol Complex in Austin, including patrols, crowd control, and crime investigations. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, expressing the Texas House's gratitude through a formal commendation. It directly affects Region VII personnel (both commissioned and civilian staff) who secure the Capitol grounds.

passed · Texas · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 659: Relating to the prosecution and punishment of the offense of smuggling of persons.

SB 659 increases penalties for smuggling people into Texas by raising certain cases from a third-degree felony to second- or first-degree felonies. It specifically raises penalties if the smuggling causes serious injury or death, involves children under 18, uses firearms, or involves government resources to facilitate the crime. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change penalties for past offenses. This directly affects smugglers who meet these aggravating conditions and the courts prosecuting such cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

passed · Texas · House May 19, 2025

HB 871: Relating to the residential and commercial building codes of municipalities.

HB 871 adopts the International Residential Code (as of May 1, 2021) and International Building Code (as of May 1, 2021) as the baseline standards for residential and commercial building codes across Texas municipalities. It freezes the baseline codes at their 2021 versions, requiring municipalities to use these specific editions for new construction starting on or after January 1, 2026. Municipalities must adopt implementing rules by December 1, 2025, but may review future updates from the International Code Council after that date. The bill directly affects cities, towns, and developers working on new residential or commercial construction projects beginning in 2026 or later.

passed · Texas · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 2850: Relating to the task force on pollinator health.

SB 2850 creates a state task force to study pollinator health issues, including bees and other insects vital to ecosystems. The task force, appointed by the governor, includes members representing universities, nurseries, agriculture, pollinator protection groups, pesticide applicators, master gardeners, beekeepers, and wildlife experts. It will examine ways to incentivize pollinator habitat development, study successful public education programs from other states, investigate data collection methods for pollinator populations, and identify strategies to prevent habitat loss. The bill establishes the task force structure but does not implement direct policy changes. It passed committee in May 2025 and is now before the Agriculture & Livestock committee.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results