Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2398: Relating to certain policies and procedures related to concussions or other brain injuries sustained by public school students.

SB 2398 requires the Texas Education Agency to create a list of nonmedical academic accommodations (like modified assignments or extended deadlines) for public school students diagnosed with a concussion or brain injury. It mandates the agency to develop a standardized form for school districts to use when implementing these accommodations, and to make this form publicly available online for schools, staff, students, and parents. School districts must share the form with relevant staff and families upon receiving a diagnosis or a request. The law is voluntary - districts are not required to provide accommodations - and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 571: Relating to the reporting and investigation of certain misconduct and child abuse and neglect; creating a criminal offense.

SB 571 updates Texas education law to restrict employment of contract employees who work in public schools and have direct student contact. It prohibits school districts and contractors from hiring individuals with certain criminal convictions (like felonies or misdemeanors listed under Section 22.085) or those identified in a misconduct registry for specific offenses. The bill also expands access to this registry - used to track ineligible employees - to include private schools, non-profit teacher organizations, and school contractors. These changes apply only to new contracts entered on or after September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1404: Relating to requirements for certain orders and judgments rendered in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.

SB 1404 requires courts in Texas to mandate that parties in parent-child relationship cases (like custody or child support disputes) provide an email address for receiving court notices and documents electronically. The law specifies that courts must include this email in final orders, with an exception if providing it would endanger the party's safety. It also allows courts in child support enforcement cases to use the most recent addresses filed with the court for service of process. These changes apply to all pending or future cases starting September 1, 2025, and are part of Texas Family Code updates.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5679: Relating to the creation of the Hills of Walnut Creek Municipal Utility District of Parker County; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

HB 5679 creates the Hills of Walnut Creek Municipal Utility District in Parker County, directly affecting residents and property owners within its boundaries. The bill grants the district limited eminent domain authority to acquire land for public infrastructure, the power to issue bonds for capital projects, and the authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes to fund services. It requires municipal consent before the district can be confirmed and establishes that the district serves public purposes including water, sewer, road maintenance, and storm drainage improvements under Texas law. The district must follow specific constitutional provisions for its organization and operations, with the bill effective September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3441: Relating to the liability of vaccine manufacturers that advertise a harmful vaccine.

HB 3441 creates legal liability for vaccine manufacturers who advertise a harmful vaccine within Texas. It defines "advertise" broadly to include paid promotions across media (TV, internet, influencers), but excludes doctor-patient discussions or clinic materials. If a manufacturer's advertised vaccine causes injury, victims can sue within three years for actual damages, attorney fees, and court costs. The law applies only to cases where harm occurs on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1171: Relating to compensation, leave, and physical fitness programs and standards for certain employees of the office of inspector general of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

SB 1171 adds hazardous duty pay eligibility for specific employees in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's Office of Inspector General, including investigators, inspectors general, security officers, and apprehension specialists. It requires these employees to have at least 12 months of service and routine direct contact with youth in residential facilities or under supervision to qualify. The bill also mandates that these roles be classified as "Schedule C" positions under state pay guidelines, effective September 1, 2025. This directly affects approximately 100+ employees in that office, changing their compensation structure to include special pay for high-risk duties. The law does not alter existing pay for other departments or central office staff.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3824: Relating to fire safety standards and emergency operations plans for the operation of battery energy storage facilities; providing administrative penalties.

HB 3824 establishes fire safety standards and emergency plans for battery energy storage facilities in Texas, directly affecting companies operating these facilities with a capacity of 1 megawatt-hour or greater that begin operations on or after January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Insurance Commissioner to adopt fire safety rules based on nationally recognized standards like UL 9540A and NFPA 855, with periodic updates to reflect changes in those standards. Facilities must comply with these rules, and the bill includes administrative penalties for non-compliance. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5667: Relating to the chairman of the juvenile board of Parker County.

HB 5667 changes the process for selecting the chairman of Parker County's juvenile board by removing the requirement that the chairman must be a judge from the 43rd Judicial District. Instead, the board may now elect any of its members to serve as chairman. This amendment takes effect on September 1, 2025, and directly affects how Parker County's juvenile board appoints its leadership. The bill does not alter the board's duties or responsibilities, only the eligibility criteria for the chairman position.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3732: Relating to compliance by a fire department with certain minimum standards adopted by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

HB 3732 allows Texas fire departments to request extensions from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to meet minimum safety standards. Fire departments must provide evidence justifying the extension, and the Commission must grant it if the evidence is sufficient. The Commission must adopt implementing rules by April 1, 2026, and this extension process expires on September 1, 2027. The bill directly affects local fire departments required to comply with state safety standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3133: Relating to user reports of explicit deep fake material on social media platforms.

HB 3133 requires social media platforms operating in Texas to create an easy-to-use complaint system for users reporting explicit deep fake material. The bill defines "explicit deep fake material" as AI-generated content falsely depicting real people in sexual acts or exposing intimate body parts. Platforms must provide clear, plain-language notice about this system and review complaints about such content within 48 hours (excluding weekends). This law directly affects major social media platforms by mandating specific procedures for handling these reports, without requiring content removal.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1629: Relating to fireworks sales to the public by retail fireworks permit holders in certain counties.

HB 1629 changes when retail businesses with fireworks permits can sell fireworks to the public in Texas. It restricts sales to three specific periods: June 24-July 4, December 20-January 1, and May 1-5 only in counties near the Texas-Mexico border (within 100 miles) if the county commissioners court approves. The bill directly affects retail fireworks permit holders, particularly those operating in border counties during the May holiday window. It does not alter the standard summer or holiday sales periods but adds a conditional border exception requiring local approval. The law took effect immediately after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 850: Relating to the payment of certain ad valorem tax refunds.

SB 850 simplifies property tax refunds for Texas homeowners and organizations who qualify for exemptions (like homestead exemptions) but overpaid taxes. It requires tax assessors to automatically recalculate taxes and correct bills if an exemption applies after initial tax calculation, and mandates refunds within 60 days if taxes were already paid. Property owners who paid excess taxes due to later-qualified exemptions no longer need to apply for refunds - they will receive them automatically. The bill directly affects taxpayers who become eligible for exemptions after their tax bill is issued but before payment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results