Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 8: Relating to agreements between certain sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and a grant program to cover the costs of implementing those agreements.

Texas SB 8 requires sheriffs in counties with 100,000+ residents to request agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allow local officers to enforce federal immigration law. Smaller counties may voluntarily enter similar agreements. The bill creates a state grant program to cover costs for counties implementing these agreements, including personnel and resources needed for compliance. It directly affects Texas county sheriffs and law enforcement agencies participating in federal immigration enforcement programs.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Joan Huffman (R) David Spiller (R) Carl Tepper (R) Phil King (R) Mano DeAyala (R) · 13 co-sponsors

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1964: Relating to the regulation and use of artificial intelligence systems and the management of data by governmental entities.

Texas Senate Bill 1964 requires state and local government agencies to track and report on their use of artificial intelligence systems, particularly those making decisions affecting access to government services (like benefits or permits). The bill defines "heightened scrutiny AI systems" as those autonomously influencing such decisions and mandates agencies to inventory these systems, document their purpose, assess risks, and confirm compliance with ethics standards. Agencies must also include AI systems in regular technology infrastructure reviews, detailing how each supports agency goals and strategic plans. This focuses on transparency and accountability for AI use in public services, not restricting AI deployment.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 777: Relating to compensation and employment condition standards by municipal charter or collective bargaining agreement and to impasse resolution in collective bargaining with certain political subdivisions.

SB 777 modifies Texas law governing collective bargaining between municipalities and employee unions. It requires arbitration boards to consider specific factors like job hazards, qualifications, and training when resolving disputes over compensation and working conditions. The bill establishes procedures for handling impasses in negotiations, including mandatory mediation efforts before arbitration. It directly affects city governments and their unionized employees across Texas by standardizing dispute resolution processes for employment terms.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 33: Relating to certain prohibited transactions and logistical support between a governmental entity and an abortion assistance entity or abortion provider for the procurement of an abortion or related services.

SB 33 prohibits Texas governmental entities from using taxpayer funds to pay for or facilitate abortion-related services. It bans transactions with "abortion assistance entities" (organizations providing financial help, travel, childcare, or abortion drugs) or abortion providers for abortion procurement. The law specifically prevents government spending on logistical support like travel, lodging, childcare, or food to help individuals access abortion services. This applies to all state and local government entities and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4945: Relating to a study by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas on the feasibility of offering alternative service retirement benefits to certain members of the retirement system engaged in wildland firefighting or employed in positions related to wildland firefighting.

HB 4945 requires the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to study whether to offer alternative retirement benefits for wildland firefighters with the Texas A&M Forest Service. The study would assess two proposed benefit tiers: one for firefighters meeting specific age/service criteria (e.g., 55+ with 10 years or 25+ years service), and another for administrative staff supporting firefighting operations. The bill mandates the retirement system to evaluate costs and impacts of these options but does not implement any new benefits. This procedural bill, signed into law on June 20, 2025, is solely about conducting a feasibility study, not changing current retirement rules.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 705: Relating to the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board.

This bill amends Texas law governing the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board. It specifies that the board will consist of nine appointed members (with commission approval) plus two nonvoting ex officio members, requiring one public member. The bill also establishes staggered six-year terms for appointed members, with three terms expiring each February 1 in odd-numbered years, and repeals an existing section of the Occupations Code. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1709: Relating to the designation of a portion of Farm to Market Road 70 in Nueces County as the Los Robles Trail.

This bill designates a specific segment of Farm to Market Road 70 in Nueces County as the Los Robles Trail, affecting local transportation infrastructure. The legislation requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at the trail's endpoints and at intermediate locations to identify the designated route. This official designation is in addition to any existing names for the road and does not alter its function as a public highway. The law became effective on September 1, 2025, following the governor's signature.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2340: Relating to the qualifications, communications, and recordkeeping of a child custody evaluator and the admissibility of a child custody evaluation under certain circumstances.

HB 2340 updates Texas law for child custody evaluators by requiring them to complete three hours of specialized training on intellectual or developmental disabilities within two years before conducting an evaluation. It clarifies that evaluators must make their records available to attorneys, parties, or court-appointed representatives upon written request (unless a court restricts disclosure), and defines key terms like "intellectual disability" based on existing health codes. The bill directly affects private evaluators and those working with domestic relations offices in custody cases involving children with these disabilities. These changes aim to standardize evaluator qualifications and improve transparency in record access during custody proceedings.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 510: Relating to the failure of a voter registrar to comply with voter registration laws.

SB 510 requires Texas voter registrars (county election officials) to timely complete specific voter registration duties, such as processing registration changes or scheduling hearings. If a registrar fails to meet these deadlines, the Secretary of State may withhold state funds distributed under Chapters 19 or 31. Registrars can regain funds by completing the required duty within 30 days of the funds being withheld. The bill directly affects county election offices and aims to ensure timely voter registration processing. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2406: Relating to the Sabine River Authority of Texas, following recommendations of the Sunset Advisory Commission; specifying term lengths and grounds for the removal of a member of the board of directors.

SB 2406 updates rules for the Sabine River Authority of Texas board of directors. It specifies five clear grounds for removing a board member: failing to meet qualifications, violating ethics laws, inability to serve due to illness, excessive unexcused absences (over 50% of meetings), or losing qualifications during service. The bill also adjusts the Sunset Review schedule, requiring the Authority to undergo review every 12 years starting in 2025 instead of 2037. The changes apply directly to the Authority’s board members and take effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2789: Relating to the regulation of child welfare, including licensure, community-based care contractors, family homes, and child-care facilities.

This bill changes Texas child welfare regulations by exempting certain contractors providing foster care services from needing a child-placing agency license, while requiring them to still follow all other safety and health laws. It adds specific immunization requirements for children entering care facilities, including vaccines for diseases like measles and hepatitis A. The bill also increases required liability insurance coverage for facilities from $100,000 to $300,000 per incident to protect children. These changes apply directly to child welfare service providers, facilities, and the children in their care.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2514: Relating to establishing the hostile foreign adversaries unit at the Department of Public Safety and training, prohibitions, and reporting requirements designed to combat foreign influence and foreign adversary operations; creating a criminal offense.

SB 2514 establishes a "hostile foreign organizations unit" within the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify, investigate, and track foreign influence operations conducted by foreign governments through covert means. It requires all state employees to complete annual training on recognizing and reporting such operations - including those linked to foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party's United Front Work Department - and mandates new reporting requirements for suspected activities. The bill also creates a criminal offense for violations of its prohibitions and requires the unit to develop a strategy for combating foreign influence in collaboration with federal and local agencies. This affects all state employees through training obligations and the new DPS unit’s operations.

Bill results