Texas Bills

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 5134: Relating to eligibility to request a deposition before bringing a civil action.

HB 5134 allows individuals to petition a court for permission to take a deposition (pre-lawsuit questioning) before filing a civil lawsuit, either to preserve testimony for future use or investigate a potential claim. However, it requires that the person has already suffered or reasonably expects to suffer real financial harm from the potential claim. The bill penalizes improper requests by making violators liable for the other party's attorney fees. This law directly affects people planning civil lawsuits who seek early evidence gathering, with key provisions taking effect September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 1586: Relating to the issuance by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of permits for certain wastewater treatment facilities.

SB 1586 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to deny permits for small wastewater treatment facilities ("package plants" under 500,000 gallons daily) within 1,000 feet of municipal wastewater lines. Applicants must prove they have security/weatherization plans, financial assurance for maintenance, and that nearby facilities denied service requests. The bill also mandates that new permits cannot worsen environmental conditions from combined discharges and requires applicants to have no delinquent fees or unresolved violations in the past decade. This applies only to permit applications filed on or after September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 2088: Relating to the establishment of a public law school in the Rio Grande Valley.

HB 2088 creates a legal framework for establishing a public law school in Cameron or Hidalgo County (Rio Grande Valley) within Texas university systems. It allows governing boards to create the law school, set courses, award degrees, and manage operations, but requires coordination with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to assess need, demand, and feasibility. The bill explicitly prohibits state funding for the school before 2031 and mandates a feasibility study before establishment. This legislation directly affects universities in the Rio Grande Valley seeking to launch law programs and sets the procedural path for future implementation. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, following its passage on May 10, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Texas · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 1101: Relating to the prosecution of the offense of smuggling of persons.

This Texas bill (SB 1101) adds new criminal offenses related to smuggling people. It makes it illegal to transport individuals while hiding from police, help others enter the U.S. illegally by concealing them, or guide groups onto protected lands (like parks or cultural sites) without the owner's consent. The law specifically targets smuggling tactics involving evasion of law enforcement or unauthorized use of protected areas. It applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 2266: Relating to the processing of an application for an authorization to use a standard permit for a rock or concrete crushing facility.

HB 2266 prioritizes processing applications for standard permits at rock or concrete crushing facilities for operators who previously held such permits and reclaimed land disturbed by their facility within 180 days after closing. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to require the commission to give priority to these operators when reviewing new permit applications. It directly affects existing or former operators of these facilities who meet the reclamation and prior authorization criteria. The policy change aims to encourage responsible land reclamation by streamlining permit access for compliant operators, effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 4172: Relating to regulating charitable bingo and authorizing the establishment of a nonprofit corporation to advertise and promote charitable bingo.

HB 4172 regulates charitable bingo operations in Texas by allowing licensed distributors to accept returned equipment from authorized organizations under specific conditions (e.g., defects or over-delivery), requiring detailed records of all returns. It restricts bingo advertising to only licensed organizations, commercial lessors, the state commission, or a newly authorized nonprofit, permitting only the disclosure of statewide or event-specific prize amounts. The bill creates a new nonprofit corporation (for existing statewide organizations active before 2024) to promote charitable bingo, but only to assist licensed distributors, manufacturers, and organizers. This directly affects charitable bingo groups, distributors, and the new nonprofit, clarifying equipment handling, advertising rules, and promotional structures.

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 1664: Relating to the eligibility of certain retired or former district court judges for assignment as a visiting judge.

HB 1664 modifies Texas law to clarify eligibility for retired or former district court judges to serve as visiting judges. It requires these judges to certify under oath that they were not publicly disciplined (reprimanded or censured) in the past 15 years and did not resign to avoid a misconduct investigation. The bill specifically bars judges who resigned "in lieu of discipline" from being named as visiting judges. These provisions expire on September 1, 2033. The law directly affects retired or former district court judges seeking temporary judicial assignments.

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 3488: Relating to representation for an indigent person subject to a civil commitment proceeding.

HB 3488 requires the Texas Board of Criminal Justice to provide free legal representation for indigent individuals facing civil commitment proceedings under the Health and Safety Code. It directly affects people with mental health conditions who cannot afford a lawyer in these specific court cases. The bill mandates the Board provide counsel unless it cannot, in which case the court must appoint another attorney. This amendment updates existing law to clarify the Board's responsibility for these cases, effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 1704: Relating to certain rights of crime victims and witnesses and associated persons and to victim impact statements.

SB 1704 expands rights for crime victims, witnesses, and their close relatives in Texas criminal cases. It requires law enforcement to provide safety protection, mandates courts to consider victim safety when setting bail, and ensures victims receive timely updates about court proceedings, sentencing changes, and appeals. Victims gain the right to share impact statements before sentencing and access clear information about victim compensation programs, forensic exam payments for sexual assault victims, and social services. The bill directly affects individuals involved in criminal cases who have experienced trauma or loss.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 1936: Relating to the issuance of a citation for the offense of the unauthorized use of parking designated for persons with disabilities.

HB 1936 removes a specific provision requiring law enforcement to issue a citation for unauthorized use of disability parking spaces in Texas. This change directly affects individuals who park in designated disability spaces without authorization, as it eliminates the mandatory citation requirement for this offense. The bill repeals Section 681.011(f-2) of the Transportation Code, meaning officers will no longer be required to issue citations for this violation. The law applies only to offenses occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 1557: Relating to waiver programs for certain veterans provided by toll project entities.

HB 1557 requires toll project entities in Texas to offer free or discounted tolls for vehicles registered under specific veteran vehicle codes (Section 504.202 or 504.315(f)/(g)) in the Texas Transportation Code. It directly affects veterans who drive vehicles with these designated registrations. The bill mandates that toll entities establish such discount programs and limits participants to two transponders, with a hardship exception for a third. The policy change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Texas · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 964: Relating to the appearance of a personal identification certificate or driver's license issued to a person who is not a citizen of the United States.

SB 964 requires Texas-issued personal identification certificates and driver's licenses for non-citizens to display the phrase "NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE" prominently on the front in the same font size as the ID number. It also mandates that non-citizen driver's licenses be oriented vertically (unlike citizen licenses) to visually distinguish them. The bill applies only to licenses issued or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, leaving older documents unaffected. This directly affects non-citizen residents who obtain or renew these Texas IDs, altering their physical appearance without changing eligibility for holding them.

Bill results