Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 800: Relating to a public institution of higher education's sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking resources and policy orientation.

SB 800 requires Texas public universities to provide new undergraduate students (freshmen and transfer students) with a mandatory orientation session about campus policies on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The session must be completed before or during the first semester and include a video listing Title IX coordinators, office contact details, and available support services. This law applies to all public institutions of higher education beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 379: Relating to prohibiting the purchase of sweetened drinks and candy under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

SB 379 prohibits SNAP (food stamp) benefits in Texas from being used to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages (like soda), carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and pre-packaged cookies. It directly affects SNAP recipients who previously could buy these items with their benefits. The law includes exceptions for milk products, milk substitutes (like almond milk), unsweetened beverages, infant formula, weight-loss drinks, and health-recommended products. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4535: Relating to COVID-19 vaccine administration requirements.

HB 4535 requires healthcare providers to obtain written informed consent before administering any COVID-19 vaccine to patients, including parental or guardian consent for minors or individuals lacking decision-making capacity. The law mandates that consent forms include acknowledgment of receiving a standardized information sheet developed by the state health department. This sheet must detail vaccine benefits/risks, accelerated development timeline, availability of long-term studies, manufacturer liability status, and instructions for reporting adverse reactions through the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The law, effective September 1, 2025, applies directly to healthcare providers and patients receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in Texas.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2674: Relating to prohibiting the regulation of home school programs.

HB 2674 prohibits the Texas Education Agency, State Board of Education, and other educational institutions from adopting rules or policies that regulate homeschool educational programs. It directly affects homeschooling families in Texas by preventing state oversight of their curriculum, teaching methods, or operational standards. The bill adds Section 1.010 to the Education Code, explicitly banning such regulations, and takes effect September 1, 2025, for the 2025-2026 school year. This is a substantive policy change that removes potential state regulatory requirements for homeschools.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1137: Relating to group home consultant referrals; creating a criminal offense.

SB 1137 requires group home operators to obtain criminal history records for all applicants and employees, prohibiting hiring for individuals convicted of specific offenses under the Penal Code (e.g., violence, sexual offenses, or certain felonies). It creates a new criminal offense under Section 767.004 for group home consultants who refer potential residents to homes employing individuals banned under these rules. The bill directly affects group home operators, their employees, and consultants who facilitate resident placements. Violations are punishable as Class A misdemeanors, with key provisions targeting background checks and referral practices to protect vulnerable residents.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1718: Relating to the eligibility of the National Rifle Association's Annual Meetings and Exhibits or another annual event of the National Rifle Association for funding under the major events reimbursement program.

This bill amends Texas law to include the National Rifle Association's (NRA) annual meetings and exhibits as eligible events for state funding under the major events reimbursement program. Previously, the program funded events like sports championships (e.g., NCAA Final Four, NASCAR races) and music awards, but excluded NRA gatherings. The bill adds the NRA specifically to the definition of "Event" in the Government Code, expanding the list of qualifying activities. This change directly affects the NRA by allowing it to seek state reimbursement for these events starting September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4341: Relating to critical infrastructure facility emergency response maps and the critical infrastructure emergency response map grant program.

HB 4341 requires certain critical infrastructure facilities - specifically Texas-owned or operated airports (as shown on FAA charts) and military installations - to develop detailed emergency response maps if they receive a grant under the new program. The maps must include accurate floor plans overlaid on verified aerial imagery, with labeled rooms, hallways, doors, external hazards, safety equipment locations (like defibrillators and trauma kits), and utility points. The bill establishes a grant program administered by the governor's criminal justice division to fund map development, with facilities only required to comply if they secure a grant. This law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3595: Relating to an emergency preparedness and contingency operations plan, including temperature regulation, for assisted living facility residents during an emergency; providing penalties.

HB 3595 requires Texas assisted living facilities to create emergency plans ensuring resident safety during power outages. Specifically, facilities must provide climate-controlled areas (at least 15 square feet per resident) for non-bedfast residents and dedicated climate-controlled rooms for bedfast residents (those unable to move during emergencies). The bill mandates maintaining temperatures between 68°F and 82°F in these spaces and reporting extended power outages (over 12 hours) to the state commission. It also sets new construction standards for facilities built after September 2026, including backup power systems. The law applies directly to all assisted living facilities and their residents, prioritizing safety during emergencies.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 24: Relating to procedures for changes to a zoning regulation or district boundary.

HB 24 establishes new procedures for Texas municipalities to adjust zoning regulations or district boundaries. It requires a public hearing with 15 days' notice published in a newspaper and online before any zoning change takes effect. For changes that do not allow more residential development (non-comprehensive changes), property owners can protest by signing a written protest if they own 20% of the affected area or 60% of adjacent land within 200 feet. The bill, effective September 1, 2025, applies to all Texas cities and aims to balance development decisions with community input.

Topics ✗ Housing

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 101: Relating to creating the Texas State Guard Professionalization Task Force.

HB 101 creates the Texas State Guard Professionalization Task Force to advise the adjutant general on improving the Texas State Guard’s training, structure, and capabilities. The task force, composed of state agency leaders (including the DPS director, emergency management chief, and transportation department head), must examine the Guard’s missions, identify operational challenges, and develop solutions by August 2026. It will recommend policy priorities, budget needs, and strategies to align the Guard’s capabilities with state emergency response requirements. The bill directly affects the Texas State Guard’s future operations and requires formal input from key state agencies to guide professionalization efforts. The bill was signed into law on June 20, 2025, and is now effective.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 18: Relating to the establishment and administration of certain programs and services providing health care services to rural counties.

This bill, the Rural Health Stabilization and Innovation Act, creates a State Office of Rural Hospital Finance to develop and implement a strategic plan for rural hospitals in Texas. The plan must include specific strategies to improve access to hospital services - such as enhanced Medicaid reimbursement, hospital rate enhancements, or reduced regulatory costs - and require annual financial vulnerability assessments to evaluate each hospital’s ability to maintain services, meet obligations, and remain operational. The office will submit annual reports to the legislature, governor, and budget board detailing progress on these goals. This law directly affects rural hospitals by mandating participation in this structured program to address financial challenges and sustain healthcare access in underserved communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3866: Relating to the installation and operation of intermediate bulk container recycling facilities; authorizing a fee.

HB 3866 regulates intermediate bulk container (IBC) recycling facilities in Texas by requiring them to be located at least 2,000 feet from private residences. The bill mandates that facility owners register with the state commission before operation, undergo annual inspections every three years, and pay an annual registration fee. It directly affects businesses operating IBC recycling sites (which handle large reusable containers over 275 gallons for reconditioning or disposal). The law, effective September 1, 2025, aims to protect residential areas from potential environmental risks associated with these facilities.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results