Texas Bills

passed · Texas · House May 13, 2025

HB 3658: Relating to continuing education program contents and format relating to building codes for insurance adjusters.

HB 3658 requires Texas-licensed insurance adjusters to complete at least one hour of continuing education each licensing period focused on building codes. This education must cover damage assessment, policy coverage interpretations involving building codes, and reconstruction standards for insured losses. The bill mandates that the Texas Department of Insurance develop or certify these courses to be offered through multiple formats (classroom, online, self-paced). The law applies directly to insurance adjusters renewing their licenses under Chapter 4101 of the Insurance Code and takes effect September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 4331: Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of the state environmental review process for certain projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund and the implementation of streamlining procedures based on the results of the study.

HB 4331 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study ways to streamline the state environmental review process for flood control and drainage projects seeking financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund (under Water Code Chapter 15). The study must be completed by January 1, 2027, and the Board must then implement new internal procedures based on the findings. This directly affects flood infrastructure projects eligible for state funding, aiming to reduce delays in environmental reviews. The bill expires September 1, 2027, and takes effect in 2025 if passed with a two-thirds vote.

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 4329: Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board on the costs of developing flood infrastructure in this state.

HB 4329 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study factors affecting the costs of developing drainage infrastructure across Texas, with a report due by January 1, 2027. The study must identify cost drivers like location, materials, and project scale, then compare regional cost differences. The Board must submit a written report to the legislature based on this analysis. The bill expires September 1, 2027, and does not allocate funding or mandate specific infrastructure projects.

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 2186: Relating to the regulation of elevator mechanics, elevator apprentices, and contractors; requiring an occupational registration.

HB 2186 requires occupational registration for elevator mechanics, elevator apprentices, and elevator contractors in Texas. The bill mandates that these professionals must be certified and registered with the state commission, including meeting minimum insurance requirements ($1 million for bodily injury and $500,000 for property damage for contractors). It also establishes rules for annual equipment inspections, enforcement of safety standards, and continuing education requirements. The law directly affects anyone working on elevator installation, repair, or maintenance, ensuring they meet state safety and certification standards under the Health and Safety Code.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Texas · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 2779: Relating to the allocation and use of certain hotel occupancy tax revenues.

SB 2779 directs Texas to allocate 2% of hotel occupancy tax revenue collected in eligible coastal municipalities (those with beach park boards under Local Government Code Chapter 306) to those park boards for public beach cleaning and maintenance. To qualify, municipalities must first allocate at least 1% of their own hotel tax revenue for beach upkeep and either apply for state beach funds or provide comparable data to the comptroller. The bill also adds a new provision prohibiting the use of these funds for any discriminatory programs or activities. This policy change affects coastal municipalities with designated beach management boards and ensures funds are specifically used for beach maintenance under defined conditions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 2876: Relating to the amendment of an existing comprehensive development agreement for a portion of State Highway 130 to facilitate nontolled transportation projects.

HB 2876 amends a 2007 agreement for State Highway 130 (Segments 5 and 6) to extend its term by up to 20 years. It requires the private participant to provide consideration (such as payments) and detail public benefits for the extension. Funds from this agreement must be used exclusively for nontolled transportation projects between I-35 and SH 130 in the affected county, with county approval required before spending. The Texas Department of Transportation must report on implementation by December 1, 2026. The bill passed in May 2025 and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 2151: Relating to the applicability of sex offender registration requirements to the offenses of indecent assault and improper relationship between educator and student.

HB 2151 clarifies that second offenses of indecent assault (Penal Code Section 22.012) require sex offender registration, but only if the conviction is not deferred. This directly affects individuals convicted of a second indecent assault offense who receive a final conviction rather than a deferred adjudication. The bill amends Texas law to explicitly include this offense under "reportable convictions" for sex offender registration, aligning it with similar offenses like sexual assault and indecency with a child. The change ensures consistent application of registration requirements for specific repeat offenses involving sexual misconduct.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 2284: Relating to the licensing and regulation of music therapists; requiring an occupational license; authorizing fees.

HB 2284 requires music therapists in Texas to obtain a state license to practice, adding them to the list of regulated professions under the Texas Occupations Code. The bill places music therapists under the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), authorizing the department to collect fees for licensing applications and renewals. This directly affects licensed music therapists seeking to practice legally in Texas, as it establishes a mandatory credentialing process. The legislation aligns music therapists with other health-related professions like dietitians and midwives, which already require state licensing.

passed · Texas · Senate May 12, 2025

SR 513: Recognizing the members of the 4th class of the Miles Ahead Scholars Program.

This is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill) congratulating 22 graduating students from the Miles Ahead Scholars Program's 2025 class. It recognizes their achievement in completing high school through a program designed to support African American and Latino male students with college preparation resources like mentorship and tutoring. The Texas Senate resolution formally extends "sincere best wishes for continued success" to these students as they transition to higher education. No new policies or funding are created by this resolution.

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 2271: Relating to collecting and sharing capacity and enrollment information for certain day-care centers.

HB 2271 requires day-care centers, group day-care homes, and family homes in Texas to submit their capacity limits and current enrollment data (broken down by age group) to the Texas Workforce Commission. The commission must then publish this information on a public child care availability portal, allowing parents to easily find facilities with open spots in their area. Providers must update this data within 30 days of any change in enrollment or capacity. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies directly to all regulated childcare facilities.

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 4944: Relating to the establishment of a grant program to provide financial assistance to counties for transportation assistance to indigent litigants.

HB 4944 creates a state grant program to help counties cover transportation costs for low-income people involved in court cases. The bill requires the state comptroller to administer the program, allowing counties to apply annually for funds to pay for transportation to and from court proceedings for indigent litigants (including civil and criminal defendants, their family members, and juvenile cases). Counties must use grant money exclusively for this purpose, with the comptroller establishing rules for applications, deadlines, and monitoring. The program becomes effective September 1, 2025, with the first applications due after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HJR 88: Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the commissioners court of a county to exempt from ad valorem taxation by each political subdivision that taxes the property the portion of the assessed value of a person's property that is attributable to the installation in or on the property of a rainwater harvesting or graywater system.

HJR 88 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas counties to create tax exemptions for property owners who install rainwater harvesting or graywater systems. If approved by voters in 2025, it would let county commissioners courts exempt the portion of a property's assessed value tied to these water systems from local property taxes. This would directly affect homeowners and property owners who invest in such sustainable water infrastructure. The measure is currently pending voter approval after passing the Texas legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Bill results