HB 2215 removes a prohibition on handgun possession for retired attorneys who previously represented the state in legal roles (such as district attorneys or county attorneys). Specifically, it amends the Penal Code to exempt these retired attorneys from handgun possession restrictions if they hold a valid state license to carry a handgun under Texas Government Code Subchapter H. The bill directly affects honorably retired state attorneys who were licensed to carry weapons during their active service. This change aligns their carrying rights with current state attorneys and ensures continuity for retired legal professionals who maintained their licensing. The provision does not create new licensing requirements but clarifies that existing state-licensed retired attorneys may carry handguns without violating Penal Code restrictions.
HB 1784 requires Texas public colleges to appoint at least one liaison officer to support two specific student groups: those experiencing homelessness and those who were in foster care (or are currently in foster care). The liaison must connect students to resources like financial aid, on-campus housing, food programs, and counseling services, and help transition students from high school to college. The bill also mandates that institutions identify eligible students using admission and financial aid applications, and it requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to ensure liaisons complete federal training on supporting homeless students. This law directly affects students at public universities and community colleges across Texas who face housing instability or foster care backgrounds.
HB 4120 allows certain Texas inmates to apply for public benefits like Medicaid, food assistance (SNAP), and family planning programs before their release. It requires the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Department of Criminal Justice to create an agreement ensuring inmates likely to qualify are assessed for benefits prior to discharge or release. If approved, benefits would begin immediately upon release, rather than after. The bill specifically covers programs including Medicaid, Healthy Texas Women, and SNAP, and mandates agencies to define their roles in processing applications. The law takes effect April 1, 2025, with rules to be adopted by the commission.
HB 2786 changes how Texas property taxes are calculated by requiring appraisal districts to update property values every two years instead of annually. It limits annual increases to 10% for primary residences (homesteads) and 20% for other property, capping growth at either the previous year's value plus a percentage or the most recent market value. This directly affects homeowners and property owners by preventing sudden large tax hikes during reappraisal cycles. The bill, which passed in May 2025, aims to provide more stability in property tax assessments while maintaining appraisal district requirements.
HB 4421 requires seven Texas state agencies - including the Health and Human Services Commission, Department of State Health Services, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice - to identify and make available resources (like funding, training, or technical assistance) to support peer-recovery organizations. These organizations are defined as nonprofits run by people with lived experience recovering from substance use disorders or mental health conditions, delivering peer support services to others facing similar challenges. The bill mandates that each agency submit a biennial report to the legislature detailing these resources by August 1 of even-numbered years. This directly affects peer-recovery organizations seeking sustainability support and the individuals with substance use disorders or mental health conditions who rely on their services.
HB 1581 requires Texas public school districts to report specific data about bilingual and special language programs in their PEIMS system, including student demographics, instructional model percentages, and students not receiving specialized instruction. It mandates new training for school administrators on bilingual education and dual language immersion programs through the commissioner of education. The bill also establishes requirements for the education agency to monitor these programs, review program requirements to prioritize student needs, and provide technical assistance to districts with deficiencies. These changes apply to all districts offering such programs and take effect September 1, 2025.
This bill adds the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals to the list of events eligible for state funding under Texas' Major Events Reimbursement Program. It amends the Government Code to include SXSW as a qualifying "Event" under Section 478.0001(3), specifically listing it as item (CC) in the definition. The program reimburses local governments for costs related to hosting major events, directly benefiting SXSW organizers by allowing them to seek state funding for expenses like security and infrastructure. This change expands the program's coverage to include SXSW, which was previously excluded from the defined list of eligible events.
HB 842 requires the Texas Public Utility Commission to study the feasibility of burying power lines in the Gulf Coast region (within 150 miles of the coast). The study must examine costs for burying existing overhead lines, maintenance expenses for underground lines, potential savings from reduced weather-related outages, and the use of relevant technologies. The commission must submit a report with findings and recommendations to state leaders by September 1, 2026, but the bill does not fund or mandate burying lines - only assess the costs and benefits. This affects Gulf Coast communities prone to weather-related power outages.
HB 168 prohibits marriage for anyone under 18 in Texas, eliminating the previous exception that allowed minors to marry with a court order removing the disabilities of minority. The bill amends the Texas Family Code to require county clerks to deny marriage licenses to minors and declare any marriage entered into by a minor void. This change applies to all marriage applications filed and marriages entered into on or after September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects minors under 18 and their families by ending the ability to marry with court approval under prior law.
SB 2260 requires developers of multifamily residential developments receiving specific tax exemptions (under Texas Local Government Code sections 303.042, 392.005, or 394.905) to annually disclose detailed information by April 30. This includes development addresses, owner details, unit counts, appraised values, tax exemption amounts, and affordability data like income-restricted unit breakdowns and housing voucher participation. The disclosures must be submitted to the county appraisal district via certified mail. The bill directly affects developers of tax-exempt multifamily housing by mandating transparency about their properties' financial and tenant characteristics.
HB 1368 requires Texas public schools (with 10,000+ students) to notify parents in writing if they lack a full-time nurse, school counselor, or librarian for more than 30 consecutive instructional days. Schools must send this notice within 30 days of the absence starting, offering bilingual options for non-English speaking families. The law applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and allows schools to post notices on their websites if accessible via three clicks. It does not apply to schools with fewer than 10,000 students.
HB 5219 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study groundwater resources in Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Maverick, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata counties (Region M). The study must compile groundwater data, assess production impacts, develop predictive models, review funding effectiveness, and improve public data access by September 1, 2026. The Board must submit a report to legislative committees and the public, with the bill expiring September 1, 2027. This is a procedural study bill focused on data collection and analysis, not a direct policy change affecting water regulations or funding.
