Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 2702: Relating to the licensing and regulation of persons who may repair or test backflow prevention assemblies.

SB 2702 requires anyone who repairs or tests backflow prevention assemblies (devices that prevent contaminated water from flowing back into clean water systems) to hold either a state-issued license under the Water Code or a certification from a nationally recognized accrediting organization. This directly affects plumbers, technicians, and service companies performing this specific work. The bill establishes two compliance pathways for professionals and takes effect September 1, 2025. It does not change existing water safety standards but sets licensing requirements for the personnel working on these critical devices.

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 1208: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of interference with public duties.

SB 1208 amends Texas Penal Code Section 38.15(b) to increase the penalty for interfering with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony. This change directly affects individuals who obstruct or interfere with law enforcement officers, emergency responders, or other public officials performing their duties. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date. It does not create new offenses but raises the severity of existing penalties for this specific conduct.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SR 518: Recognizing May 14, 2025, as Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day.

This Senate Resolution (SR 518) recognizes May 14, 2025, as "Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day" to honor the work of the American Warrior Association. It highlights the R3 program (Respond. Restore. Resolve.), which provides holistic support - including counseling and preventative care - to military members, veterans, and first responders affected by moral injury. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds; it is a symbolic acknowledgment aimed at raising public awareness about moral injury, defined as emotional harm from violating one's moral beliefs. The Texas Senate adopted the resolution on May 14, 2025, to commend the American Warrior Association's efforts.

passed · Texas · House May 14, 2025

HB 2278: Relating to the home production of certain alcoholic beverages.

HB 2278 allows Texas residents to produce up to 200 gallons annually of wine, malt beverages, or liquor at home for personal or family use without requiring a license. It specifies that wine must be made from fruit, honey, or dandelions, and malt beverages must be brewed from malted barley with hops. The bill prohibits using ingredients deemed harmful or used to circumvent alcohol regulations, and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texans who brew alcohol at home, removing licensing barriers while defining permitted methods.

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SR 480: Recognizing Bhavana Mocherla for her participation in the Physician of the Day program.

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 480) recognizing Dr. Bhavana Mocherla for participating in the Texas Legislature's Physician of the Day program on May 14, 2025. The resolution commends her service as a physician volunteering at the Capitol health clinic during the legislative session, highlighting her medical background and community involvement. It does not create any new law or policy, but formally honors her contribution. The resolution was adopted by the Texas Senate on May 14, 2025, and includes a copy for Dr. Mocherla as a gesture of recognition.

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SR 516: Recognizing Ibrahima Kande for his service to the office of State Senator Roland Gutierrez.

Senate Resolution 516, adopted by the Texas Senate on May 14, 2025, honors Ibrahima Kande for his service as a legislative aide in State Senator Roland Gutierrez's office during the 89th Legislative Session. The resolution commends Kande for his work on legislative tasks - including constituent meetings, legislation tracking, and research - and recognizes his military service (U.S. Air Force veteran with commendation medals) and academic achievements (Texas State University leadership studies, upcoming law school plans). It resolves to present Kande with an official copy of the resolution as a token of appreciation for his dedication. This is a symbolic recognition with no binding policy impact.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SR 515: Recognizing June 10, 2025, as FSGS Awareness Day.

This resolution (SR 515) formally recognizes June 10, 2025, as FSGS Awareness Day in Texas. It does not create new policies or funding but aims to raise public and medical awareness about focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare kidney disease that often leads to kidney failure. The resolution highlights FSGS's impact - such as its high prevalence among certain populations, diagnostic delays, and significant healthcare costs - while acknowledging ongoing efforts by organizations like the Texas Kidney Foundation. It serves as a symbolic gesture to support patients, families, and advocacy groups working to improve early detection and treatment access.

passed · Texas · House May 14, 2025

HB 1579: Relating to establishing the Texas Seal of Biliteracy for public high school students.

HB 1579 establishes the Texas State Seal of Bilingualism and Biliteracy for public high school students who demonstrate advanced proficiency in both English and another language. The bill requires the Texas Education Agency to set rigorous, exam-free standards (like project-based assessments) for earning the seal, which schools must then affix to diplomas and note on transcripts. It directly affects public high school students who meet the proficiency requirements, with implementation beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. The seal aims to formally recognize biliteracy skills for employers and colleges without creating new standardized tests.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 582: Relating to certain agreements arising out of special investigations conducted by the Texas Education Agency.

SB 582 requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to make agreements with school districts regarding special investigations publicly disclosable under Texas law. Specifically, these agreements must clearly explain the allegations against the district in plain language and include any agreed-upon factual findings related to those allegations. The bill applies only to agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025, and affects TEA and school districts involved in such investigations. It aims to increase transparency in settlements following TEA investigations without changing the investigation process itself.

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 1950: Relating to the eligibility of certain individuals for unemployment benefits and the validity of certain claims for unemployment benefits submitted to the Texas Workforce Commission.

SB 1950 amends Texas unemployment benefit eligibility rules to strengthen requirements for claimants. It requires individuals to have earned wages in at least three calendar quarters (up from two) during their base period, with earnings equal to 37 times their weekly benefit amount (up from six times). The bill also mandates verified work search activities - such as submitting job applications, attending job fairs, or participating in approved training - and identity verification by the Texas Workforce Commission. These changes directly affect unemployed Texans seeking benefits, making it harder to qualify by increasing wage credit thresholds and verifying job search efforts.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 1903: Relating to the composition of the board of directors of the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation.

SB 1903 changes the composition of the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation's board from nine to eleven members. It adds four new positions: two appointed by the governor (with Senate confirmation) and requiring investment expertise, one appointed by the lieutenant governor (with Senate confirmation) with investment expertise, and one appointed by the speaker of the House (with Senate confirmation) with investment expertise. The bill specifies that these new members serve staggered six-year terms, with terms expiring on January 1 of odd-numbered years. This bill directly affects the governance structure of the Texas Permanent School Fund, which manages assets supporting public education.

passed · Texas · Senate May 14, 2025

SB 1581: Relating to the eligibility of a trustee of certain school districts for employment by those districts.

SB 1581 amends Texas law to require school board trustees (trustees) to wait one year after their board membership ends before accepting employment with that same school district. The rule applies generally but excludes trustees from school districts that receive specific state funding under Section 48.101(b) of the Education Code. This change directly affects current and future school board members in most Texas districts, preventing them from working for their district during the first year after leaving the board. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless it receives a two-thirds vote for immediate passage.

Bill results