Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2508: Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a qualifying condition or disease.

HB 2508 creates a property tax exemption for the residence homestead of a surviving spouse whose veteran spouse died from a qualifying condition or disease. The exemption applies to the full appraised value of the homestead and is available to spouses who have not remarried since the veteran's death. Qualifying conditions are defined under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022. The exemption takes effect January 1 of the tax year the surviving spouse qualifies and applies regardless of when the veteran died, provided all eligibility criteria are met. This bill amends Texas Tax Code Sections 11.136, 11.42(c), and 11.43(c) to implement the change.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 876: Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 377 in Hood and Johnson Counties as the Bob Cornett Parkway.

SB 876 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 377 under construction near Cresson (in Hood and Johnson Counties) as the "Bob Cornett Parkway." This is a naming designation only, with no changes to transportation policy or funding. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at highway ends and key points along this designated segment, effective September 1, 2025. It directly affects the highway corridor and local communities by adding a commemorative name.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2790: Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties as the Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway.

This bill designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties - between U.S. Highway 287 and Interstate 20 - as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway." It requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at each end of the highway and at intermediate sites along the route, in addition to any existing designations. The bill has no policy or operational changes beyond this ceremonial naming, which honors the late Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. It became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 509: Relating to requiring notice to the attorney general in an action under the Election Code seeking a temporary restraining order.

SB 509 requires courts to notify the Texas Attorney General before a hearing in any election-related case seeking a temporary restraining order under the Election Code. This procedural change directly affects courts handling election disputes and ensures the Attorney General receives advance notice of such requests. The bill adds a new requirement that courts must provide this notice "as soon as practicable" before the hearing. It took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025. The law does not alter election rules or voting procedures, only the court notification process.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3751: Relating to the transfer of certain real property from the Texas Department of Transportation to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

HB 3751 transfers a specific 3-acre property at 715 Pine Street in Woodville, Texas (currently used by the Texas Department of Transportation for a maintenance facility) from TxDOT to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The bill requires TxDOT to complete this transfer by November 30, 2025, using a detailed legal boundary description (metes and bounds). It also exempts this transfer from certain provisions in the Transportation Code and Natural Resources Code. The property is identified in Tyler County records as A0657 J. Wheat Block 42 Tract 11.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5196: Relating to telework for state employees.

HB 5196 establishes a formal framework for telework arrangements for Texas state employees. It requires state agencies to obtain written authorization from employees' supervisors before allowing telework, specifying reasons for approval, terms of the agreement, and annual renewal requirements. Agencies can revoke telework agreements at any time without notice and cannot make telework a condition of employment. The bill also mandates that agencies develop written telework plans addressing policies and procedures, while allowing in-person requirements for meetings or events deemed necessary by the agency.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 528: Relating to inpatient competency restoration services.

SB 528 establishes new requirements for facilities providing inpatient competency restoration services in Texas. It mandates that these facilities enter into memorandums of understanding with local counties, municipalities, and mental health authorities (Sec. 580.003). The bill also requires facilities to submit annual reports to the Health and Human Services Commission detailing specific metrics, including the number of individuals restored to competency, average treatment duration, and transfer rates after 60 days (Sec. 580.004). These reports must include demographic breakdowns by offense type (misdemeanor/felony) and other relevant factors. The law applies exclusively to facilities contracted with the Commission to restore competency for individuals awaiting trial under criminal procedure law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1534: Relating to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding health physics education in this state.

SB 1534 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to study health physics education programs at Texas colleges and universities. The study must identify gaps in training and assess workforce needs in nuclear energy and radiological safety sectors. The board must submit a report by December 1, 2026, with recommendations for addressing identified gaps. This bill directly affects Texas institutions offering health physics education and the state's nuclear/radiological workforce sectors. The report will inform potential future policy actions, but the bill itself does not make immediate changes to programs or funding.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 865: Relating to instruction in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators and to a cardiac emergency response plan for certain school employees and volunteers.

SB 865 requires specific school staff, including nurses, athletic coaches, physical education instructors, and others designated by the commissioner, to obtain and maintain certification in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use from recognized organizations like the American Heart Association. It also mandates that private schools receiving AEDs or funding for AEDs, and open-enrollment charter schools, adopt policies providing CPR and AED training for employees and volunteer nurses. The law applies to all public school districts, private schools, and charter schools, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. This policy change directly affects school employees and volunteers who may respond to cardiac emergencies in school settings.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 88: Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

This concurrent resolution (HCR 88) formally commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 2025), which marked the start of the American Revolutionary War. It expresses the Texas Legislature's recognition of this historical milestone through a ceremonial resolution, with no policy changes or direct impact on citizens or government operations. The resolution was passed by both legislative chambers and signed into law by the Governor on June 20, 2025. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new obligations or affect any specific group.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2818: Relating to the artificial intelligence division within the Department of Information Resources.

HB 2818 establishes an Artificial Intelligence Division within the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) to guide state government use of artificial intelligence. The division must assist state agencies in implementing generative AI for projects like modernizing legacy computer systems and other appropriate initiatives, requiring cost analysis reports to document time and resource savings compared to traditional methods. It mandates that the division coordinate all AI activities to avoid duplication and maximize efficiency across state resources. The division can hire staff directly or partner with vendors (with vendors completing most work) for AI projects, as outlined in the amended Government Code.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 144: Relating to plans for the management and inspection of distribution poles.

HB 144 requires electric cooperatives, utilities, and municipally owned utilities in Texas to submit detailed plans to the Public Utility Commission for managing and inspecting their distribution poles. Each plan must include specific elements: inspection processes (including third-party vendor training), handling landowner complaints, inspection deadlines for each pole, and a budget. Utilities must submit monthly updates for the first 24 months (after which annual updates may be allowed) and triennial compliance reports. The bill directly affects all entities distributing electricity in Texas by mandating structured pole safety oversight and transparency.

Bill results