Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1240: Relating to certain governmental operations affecting the border region.

HB 1240 standardizes the definition of the "Texas-Mexico border region" across multiple state laws by specifying the exact list of 48 counties (including Hidalgo, El Paso, Webb, and others) that constitute this area. The bill amends sections of the Government Code, Education Code, Health and Safety Code, and Transportation Code to consistently reference this defined border region for program eligibility and administrative purposes. This affects state agencies and programs that operate within the border region, such as education pilot programs requiring placement in the defined area. The bill does not create new programs but ensures uniformity in how the border region is identified in state law, effective June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 627: Relating to the licensing and regulation of dietitians.

SB 627 updates Texas licensing rules for dietitians by requiring a formal code of ethics, setting qualification standards for licenses, and prohibiting the use of titles like "licensed dietitian" (LD) or "provisional licensed dietitian" (PLD) without a valid license. It also adds a new requirement that license renewals may be denied if administrative penalties remain unpaid. The bill directly affects dietitians seeking or maintaining licenses in Texas and ensures public access to verified professionals. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2350: Relating to standing in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.

HB 2350 amends Texas Family Code Section 102.003 to clarify who has legal standing to file a lawsuit concerning a parent-child relationship. It specifically adds new categories of individuals who can initiate such cases, including foster parents, relatives, or designated caregivers who have cared for a child placed by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) for at least 12 months, with exceptions if the child was returned to parents or a DFPS case was dismissed. It also expands standing for relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity if both parents are deceased. The bill directly affects foster parents, extended family members, and caregivers seeking legal involvement in a child's custody or care. This change streamlines eligibility for filing suits without altering custody standards or outcomes.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2166: Relating to testing of voting tabulation equipment.

SB 2166 requires standardized testing of voting tabulation equipment used in Texas elections. It mandates three specific tests per election: one conducted jointly with the public logic/accuracy test (at least 48 hours before voting), one immediately before counting begins, and one immediately after counting ends. The bill specifies that election officials (including the general custodian and central counting station staff) must conduct these tests using identical ballot stock and test materials from the public logic/accuracy process. This directly affects election administrators and voting equipment at both polling places and central counting stations, ensuring consistent equipment accuracy before, during, and after ballot counting.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1856: Relating to a capacity cost recovery rider for certain electric utilities.

SB 1856 allows specific electric utilities operating outside ERCOT (in Southeastern Electric Reliability Council areas) to recover costs from multi-state capacity auctions through a special rider on customer bills. The rider must be annually updated and only covers costs not already recovered via base rates, including eligibility criteria for capacity-related expenses. Utilities must apply if they haven't exceeded their authorized return on equity, and the commission requires annual reconciliation to ensure costs are reasonable and prevent over-recovery. This law, effective immediately after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025, directly affects eligible out-of-ERCOT utilities participating in federal-regulated capacity markets.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5656: Relating to the creation of the Fort Bend 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 5656 creates Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 263, a new local government entity to provide utility services (like water, sewer, and drainage) to a specific area in Fort Bend County. The bill grants the district limited power to acquire property through eminent domain, authority to issue bonds for infrastructure projects, and the ability to impose assessments, fees, and taxes on properties within its boundaries. This procedural bill directly affects property owners in the designated district territory and establishes the district’s governing board and initial boundaries under Texas law. It became effective immediately on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1540: Relating to maintaining the confidentiality of the personal information of election officials and their employees.

SB 1540 requires Texas to maintain the confidentiality of personal information for election officials and their employees, preventing public disclosure of details like home addresses and phone numbers. The bill amends Texas Government Code Section 552.1175 to explicitly protect this information from public records requests. It applies directly to current and former election officials and their staff across Texas, aiming to enhance their privacy and safety. The law was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 227: Relating to the application review process for certain delayed birth certificates.

SB 227 modifies Texas' delayed birth certificate process to make it easier for applicants to prove identity and birthplace. It prevents state registrars from rejecting applications solely due to inconsistent supporting evidence, requiring them instead to weigh specific factors like valid ID (e.g., driver's license), evidence questioning birthplace, and verified affidavits from knowledgeable individuals. For individuals born before January 1, 1959, the bill mandates registration of a delayed birth certificate using only the established parent’s name if that parent’s identity is verified with non-contradictory information. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting residents seeking delayed birth certificates, particularly those with complex documentation.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3805: Relating to certain enforcement powers of the banking commissioner regarding the regulation of money services businesses.

HB 3805 amends Texas law to give the banking commissioner new authority to remove or prohibit individuals from working in money services businesses. It directly affects money services licensees, their key employees, and control persons who commit specific violations, such as intentional fraud, false record-keeping, or violating regulatory orders. The bill establishes clear grounds for the commissioner to issue removal or prohibition orders when actions cause financial harm to licensees, customers, or shareholders, or demonstrate personal dishonesty. These orders can be permanent or time-limited and are subject to specific procedural requirements. The law became effective immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2580: Relating to the definition of a designated law enforcement office or agency for purposes of certain laws governing the installation and use of tracking equipment and access to certain communications.

SB 2580 clarifies which law enforcement entities qualify as "designated" under Texas laws governing tracking equipment and communications access. It defines this term to include: (1) county sheriff's departments in counties with 500,000+ residents, (2) municipal police departments in cities with 200,000+ residents, (3) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's inspector general office, and (4) the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's inspector general office. This definition directly affects those specific agencies by determining their eligibility to use certain surveillance tools under existing legal frameworks. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, without creating new powers but refining existing legal parameters.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5666: Relating to the creation of the Fenske Road Municipal Utility District of Harris County; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

HB 5666 creates the Fenske Road Municipal Utility District in Harris County to provide essential infrastructure services. The district will have limited authority to acquire private property through eminent domain for utility projects, issue bonds for financing, and impose taxes, fees, and assessments on properties within its boundaries. It directly affects residents and businesses in the designated district area by enabling the construction and maintenance of roads, storm drainage, and utility systems. The bill establishes governance through a board of directors elected by district residents, as required by Texas law.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2373: Relating to financial exploitation or financial abuse using artificially generated media or phishing communications; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

This bill creates new civil remedies for victims of financial exploitation using AI-generated media (like deepfakes) or phishing communications. It allows individuals to sue perpetrators for actual damages - including mental anguish and the perpetrator's profits - and to seek court orders halting further dissemination. The bill also imposes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day for violations, enforceable by the Texas Attorney General. Platforms like social media companies are exempt from liability under this law, as they are protected by federal Section 230.

Topics ✓ Technology

Bill results