Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4743: Relating to the issuance of a single license for a hospital and a mobile stroke unit of the hospital.

HB 4743 allows hospitals to obtain a single license covering both the main hospital facility and its mobile stroke unit, provided the mobile unit is accredited by a federal health care accreditation organization. This directly affects hospitals operating mobile stroke units that meet specific accreditation standards. The bill streamlines licensing by eliminating the need for separate licenses for the hospital and its mobile unit, while requiring the mobile unit to maintain federal accreditation. This change reduces administrative burden for hospitals without altering medical standards for stroke care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5534: Relating to the electronic posting of notices and agendas for meetings of the commissioners court of a county.

HB 5534 requires Texas counties to post notices and agendas for commissioners court meetings both physically (on a courthouse bulletin board) and electronically. County clerks may now use electronic displays on public county websites instead of physical postings, provided they meet specific location, timing, and accessibility standards. The law applies only to notices required after its effective date (September 1, 2025), leaving pre-existing posting requirements unchanged. This bill directly affects county clerks and commissioners courts by expanding their posting options while maintaining public access requirements. It updates existing local government code provisions to formalize electronic posting as a valid method.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2515: Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 64 in Smith County as the Fire Marshal Jimmy W. Seaton Memorial Highway.

SB 2515 designates a specific segment of State Highway 64 in Smith County - between Loop 323 and the western Smith County line - as the "Fire Marshal Jimmy W. Seaton Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of this highway segment and at appropriate intermediate points. This is a ceremonial designation with no impact on transportation policy, funding, or regulations. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3963: Relating to an early childhood integrated data system.

HB 3963 establishes a new early childhood integrated data system to improve coordination among Texas state agencies serving young children. It requires four key agencies - the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Workforce Commission, and Children’s Learning Institute - to share aggregated, non-identifiable data across early childhood programs. The system aims to identify service gaps, align programs, and inform state-level policy decisions to improve outcomes for children and families. All data sharing must comply with privacy and cybersecurity laws, ensuring no personally identifiable information is used. This law, signed by the governor and effective September 1, 2025, directly affects state agencies responsible for early childhood services.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 216: Relating to itemized billing for health care services and supplies provided by health care providers.

HB 216 requires health care providers in Texas to send patients a written, itemized bill within 30 days after receiving final payment from a third party (like insurance). The bill must list each service or supply provided during the visit and can be delivered electronically via a patient portal (with specific steps to verify portal access), by mail, or as a physical copy at the provider's office. Providers must also honor a patient's preferred delivery method if electronic billing isn't feasible. Violations could lead to disciplinary action by licensing authorities, though good-faith mailings that are returned undeliverable or sent to outdated addresses are exempt. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 34: Relating to prohibiting the investment of state money in certain countries and in certain private business entities in those countries.

HB 34 prohibits Texas state investments in countries designated as "countries of concern" (including China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and any country the governor designates) and in private companies operating in those countries that meet specific criteria. It defines "scrutinized companies" as those engaged in certain business activities (like those linked to the Darfur genocide) or meeting other conditions outlined in the bill. The law applies to all state investment entities, requiring them to divest from or avoid purchasing securities in these entities. An exception allows investments in companies excluded by U.S. federal sanctions regimes.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 890: Relating to the issuance of a license to carry a handgun to certain active and retired judicial officers.

SB 890 modifies Texas law to exempt certain active and retired judicial officers from needing a standard handgun license. It defines "active judicial officer" to include state court judges (at all levels), resident federal judges, and associate judges, and "retired judicial officer" to include senior judges, designated judicial officers, and retired federal judges. The exemption applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses governed by existing law. This policy change removes a licensing requirement specifically for these judicial roles under current Texas law.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4463: Relating to authorized activities of a brewer's or nonresident brewer's license holder; authorizing a fee increase.

HB 4463 amends Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code provisions to clarify and expand authorized activities for brewer's and nonresident brewer's license holders. It specifically allows brewers to enter into contract brewing agreements or alternating brewery proprietorships (shared facility arrangements), requiring all parties to hold valid licenses and meet bonding requirements. The bill also authorizes future fee increases for these licenses but does not specify new fee amounts. This affects Texas-based breweries and out-of-state breweries selling malt beverages in Texas, streamlining their operational flexibility while maintaining regulatory oversight. The bill was enacted on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 790: Relating to the procedure for resolving certain customer complaints before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

SB 790 creates a simplified complaint process for tenants disputing water or wastewater bills from property owners in Texas. It allows the Public Utility Commission of Texas to establish a streamlined procedure to resolve these complaints, exempting it from standard administrative rules in the Government Code. The bill directly affects tenants filing complaints and property owners receiving them. It takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025. This is a procedural change to improve efficiency in handling specific utility billing disputes.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 535: Relating to the admissibility of evidence regarding a victim's past sexual behavior in prosecutions of certain trafficking, sexual, or assaultive offenses.

SB 535 restricts the use of evidence about a victim's past sexual behavior in criminal trials for specific offenses, including sexual assault (Penal Code §22.011), trafficking (§20A.02), indecency with a child (§21.11), and related cases. The bill generally prohibits such evidence - whether as reputation, opinion, or specific instances - unless a court holds a private hearing (in camera) and determines it meets narrow exceptions, like proving consent or rebutting medical evidence. Courts must seal records of these private hearings to protect victims' privacy. This law applies to cases under Texas Penal Code sections 20A.02, 20A.03, 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, and 22.021. It became effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5654: Relating to the creation of the Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 263; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

HB 5654 creates Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 263, a new entity to provide water, sewer, and other utility services in a designated area of Montgomery County. The bill grants the district limited authority to take private property (eminent domain) for infrastructure, issue bonds for funding, and impose property assessments, fees, and taxes to cover costs. This directly affects property owners within the district's boundaries, who will be subject to these new financial obligations. The bill was signed into law in June 2025 and takes effect January 1, 2026.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1259: Relating to the regulation of land surveyors by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

SB 1259 updates Texas regulations for land surveyors by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, directly affecting individuals seeking surveyor-in-training certificates or registered professional land surveyor licenses. Key provisions require the board to issue written advisory opinions on legal interpretations of surveying laws and mandate that the advisory committee publicly document meeting discussions and decisions. The bill revises educational and experience requirements for certification, such as specifying that surveyor-in-training applicants must now complete 32 semester hours in surveying-related courses (e.g., land surveying, mathematics, or land law) plus 1-4 years of supervised experience, with multiple pathways including degrees, coursework, or self-education. It also clarifies that registered surveyors must hold a surveyor-in-training certificate, pass exams, and have a degree with 32 hours in designated surveying subjects.

Bill results