Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2965: Relating to territory in an emergency services district that is annexed by a municipality.

SB 2965 (effective September 1, 2025) clarifies the process when a municipality annexes territory from an emergency services district. It requires the municipality to send written notice to the district board within 30 days of annexation, including a service plan if needed. The district board must then approve or disapprove the removal within 30 days; failure to act means the territory is automatically removed. This affects municipalities annexing territory and emergency services districts losing territory, ensuring the municipality can provide equal or better emergency services before the territory leaves the district.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2037: Relating to repairs made pursuant to a residential or manufactured home tenant's notice of intent to repair and the provision of notice regarding a residential or manufactured home tenant's security deposit.

HB 2037 modifies Texas tenant-landlord laws to clarify repair processes and notice requirements for residential and manufactured home tenants. It requires tenants to use independent contractors (listed in local directories or classified ads) for repairs after submitting a "notice of intent to repair," rather than performing repairs themselves or using family, employers, or businesses they own. The bill also adds new provisions allowing landlords and tenants to send required notices via email if they previously communicated that way, and designates property managers as official agents for delivery of such notices. These changes directly affect tenants seeking repairs and landlords handling security deposits and communication.

Topics ✗ Housing

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 413: Relating to the meetings of the boards of trustees of independent school districts.

SB 413 requires independent school districts in Texas to document each board member's attendance, absence, and vote on every item during meetings. It mandates that school boards post meeting minutes and adopted resolutions on their websites within seven days of the meeting. The bill also requires all board meetings to be recorded and made publicly accessible per state transparency laws. These changes directly affect school board trustees and district administrators by increasing meeting transparency for parents and community members. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4690: Relating to motor fuel measuring, quality, and testing standards.

HB 4690 updates Texas motor fuel regulations to align with current industry standards. It requires fuel quality standards to match the latest ASTM International specifications (D4814) for gasoline and ethanol blends sold in Texas, and mandates that fuel metering tolerances follow National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommendations. The bill also standardizes testing procedures for fuel quality, requiring compliance with ASTM standards for sampling, handling, and verification. These changes directly affect gas stations, fuel distributors, and testing agencies operating in Texas by establishing uniform quality and measurement requirements.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3424: Relating to the ad valorem taxation of certain dealer's heavy equipment inventory.

HB 3424 modifies Texas property tax rules for heavy equipment dealers. It requires dealers to calculate a property tax on each item sold, leased, or rented by multiplying the sales price or monthly rental amount by a set tax factor. Dealers must collect this tax from buyers or renters, deposit it monthly into a special account, and report it quarterly using a state-formatted statement. This applies directly to businesses that sell or lease heavy equipment like construction or agricultural machinery.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2286: Relating to the renewal of a certificate of registration by certain interior designers.

HB 2286 requires certain interior designers who obtained certification without taking the registration exam to pass the exam by September 1, 2027, to renew their license after that date. It directly affects interior designers holding certificates issued under Chapter 1053 without examination. The bill amends the Occupations Code to mandate this exam requirement for renewal eligibility, with the provision set to expire on January 1, 2029. This creates a clear deadline for affected professionals to meet the new standard before their licenses can be renewed.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1960: Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 345 in San Benito as the Lieutenant Milton Resendez Memorial Highway.

HB 1960 designates a specific segment of State Highway 345 within San Benito as the "Lieutenant Milton Resendez Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway and at appropriate intermediate locations along the route. This is a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact beyond naming the highway segment. The bill took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 568: Relating to special education in public schools, including funding for special education under the Foundation School Program.

SB 568 amends Texas Education Code sections 8.051 and 29.001 to strengthen special education support in public schools. It requires regional education service centers to provide specific core services, including teacher training on state-mandated subjects and financial literacy, assistance for districts with special education compliance issues, and support for students needing specialized services. The bill also mandates the state education agency to develop a comprehensive system ensuring statewide compliance with federal and state special education laws, focusing on student outcomes and coordinated services. These changes directly affect Texas school districts, regional centers, and students with disabilities by standardizing support and accountability. The bill does not create new funding but reorganizes how existing Foundation School Program funds are administered for special education.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2001: Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for certain misuse of official information, including misuse of official information that results in certain net pecuniary gains.

HB 2001 increases criminal penalties for public officials who misuse official information to gain personal financial benefit. It creates tiered felony charges based on the amount of net gain: third-degree felony for gains under $150,000; second-degree for $150,000-$300,000; and first-degree for $300,000 or more. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases that occurred before that date. This bill directly affects government employees or officials who improperly use confidential information for financial gain.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2972: Relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education.

SB 2972 protects free expression at Texas public universities by requiring common outdoor campus areas to be treated as traditional public forums. It ensures students and employees can engage in protests, speeches, and other expressive activities there, as long as the activity is lawful and doesn’t significantly disrupt campus operations. The law permits universities to impose only reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on these activities, while explicitly excluding commercial speech, threats, defamation, and other unprotected categories. This policy change directly affects all public university students, faculty, and staff in Texas, effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 285: Relating to the prosecution of the offense of cruelty to nonlivestock animals.

This bill expands criminal penalties for cruelty to nonlivestock animals (such as pets and wildlife) by defining specific prohibited acts, including torture, abandonment, failure to provide care, cruel transport, and causing injury without consent. It creates a legal defense for veterinarians and their assistants acting within their professional duties, shielding them from prosecution for negligence during routine care. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing penalties for cruelty involving livestock animals. This amendment clarifies prosecutable conduct while providing professional protection for veterinary staff.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1902: Relating to the administration of the dealer-issued license plates database and to the removal and transfer of license plates.

This bill updates Texas rules for handling license plates during vehicle sales. It requires dealers to remove plates when selling vehicles to other dealers and mandates private sellers to get DMV approval before transferring plates to another vehicle they own. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles can also block dealers from accessing the plate database if fraud is suspected, after providing notice and a hearing opportunity. The bill, effective June 20, 2025, requires the DMV to adopt implementing rules by October 1, 2025. It directly affects auto dealers, vehicle sellers, and the DMV.

Bill results