Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1230: Relating to the designation of Farm-to-Market Road 10 in Panola County as the Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson Memorial Highway.

SB 1230 designates Farm-to-Market Road 10 in Panola County as the "Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson Memorial Highway" under Texas Transportation Code. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway and at appropriate intermediate locations along the route. This is a ceremonial designation with no new funding, regulations, or policy changes; it solely honors Deputy Sheriff Chris Dickerson. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after receiving approval from both legislative chambers and the Governor.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3627: Relating to allowing the chair of the State Board of Education to employ personnel to assist in performing the board's duties.

HB 3627 allows the chair of Texas' State Board of Education to hire staff to support the board's work. The bill authorizes the chair to employ personnel, set their duties, pay them using existing legislative funds, and make employment decisions like promotions or terminations. Staff hired under this law would receive retirement benefits, expense reimbursements, and report directly to the board chair. The law took effect September 1, 2025, and affects the State Board of Education's internal operations.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1379: Relating to increasing the criminal penalties for forgery.

SB 1379 increases criminal penalties for forgery in Texas by creating a new value-based penalty structure. It raises penalties based on the value of property or services obtained through forgery, ranging from Class B misdemeanors for under $100 to first-degree felonies for $300,000+ (Section 1, subsection e-1). The bill also specifies higher penalties for forging certain documents like wills, deeds, credit cards, government records, or instruments issued by government entities (Sections 1(d) and 1(e)). Additionally, it mandates enhanced penalties when forgery targets elderly individuals (Section 1(e-2)). The law applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025).

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 108: Relating to the use of metal or body armor while committing certain offenses; increasing a criminal penalty.

HB 108 increases penalties for certain felony offenses when defendants use metal or body armor during the crime. It requires judges to make an affirmative finding if a defendant used such armor (as defined in Texas law) during the commission of a third-degree felony or lower under Title 5 of the Penal Code (excluding first-degree felonies). If this finding is made, the punishment is raised to the next higher category of offense (e.g., a third-degree felony becomes a second-degree felony). The law exempts peace officers, military personnel, and licensed security officers from these penalties. This bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2885: Relating to allowing the governing bodies of certain political subdivisions to call for a local option election relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages.

HB 2885 allows specific counties (with 70,000-100,000 residents, containing part of the Colorado River, and bordering a city of 1 million+ residents) and municipalities to hold local elections on legalizing alcohol sales. County commissioners courts or city councils can initiate these votes by resolution or motion to decide if alcohol sales should be permitted in their area. The bill creates a new process under Texas Election Code Section 501.0211, directly affecting eligible communities seeking to change local alcohol regulations. It takes effect September 1, 2025, without altering current alcohol laws but providing a structured voting mechanism.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2686: Relating to the registration of frac tanks; authorizing a fee.

HB 2686 requires oil and gas companies to register frac tanks (equipment used in oil/gas fracturing) with permanent license plates instead of annual registration. It authorizes a one-time $5 fee for these plates, which remain valid as long as the tank stays in service or is sold. The bill eliminates the need for separate registration receipts under Section 621.002 for tanks displaying these plates. This applies directly to operators of frac tanks used in oil and gas exploration across Texas.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 12: Relating to parental rights in public education, to certain public school requirements and prohibitions regarding instruction, diversity, equity, and inclusion duties, and social transitioning, and to student clubs at public schools.

This bill prohibits public school districts in Texas from assigning or requiring staff to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It specifically bans schools from mandating DEI statements, giving preferential treatment based on such statements, or implementing policies that reference race, gender identity, or sexual orientation - except where required by law. School employees who violate these restrictions may face discipline, including termination. The bill directly affects public school districts, their employees, and students by restricting certain curriculum and staff training practices related to DEI. It does not impact schools' ability to teach about historical holidays or events.

Topics ✗ Education

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2216: Relating to security of election system equipment.

SB 2216 requires political subdivisions (like counties and cities) that operate voting systems to store election equipment in locked rooms and apply security seals to prevent unauthorized access. It mandates that election officials document seal placements and any removals, including who accessed the equipment and why. The bill also adds polling location details to equipment inventory records. These requirements apply only to elections held on or after September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1318: Relating to a certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide water or sewer service in an area incorporated or annexed by a municipality.

HB 1318 amends Texas Water Code sections to streamline the process for municipalities seeking exclusive authority to provide water or sewer services in areas they've incorporated or annexed. It requires the Public Utility Commission to determine fair compensation for utility companies whose property becomes unusable due to this certification, and mandates that property transfers occur only through court orders in Travis County after compensation is paid. The bill directly affects municipalities seeking service control and utility companies whose assets may be impacted during annexation. Key mechanisms include court-ordered property transfers and compensation calculations based on the Commission's findings, replacing prior administrative processes. This policy change clarifies the legal pathway for municipal utility expansion while ensuring property owners receive defined compensation.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2995: Relating to the displacement of student financial aid at a public institution of higher education.

SB 2995 requires Texas public colleges and universities to provide prospective students with clear, plain-language information about how private scholarships or other factors might reduce their existing financial aid ("financial aid displacement"). The bill mandates that institutions include a mandatory advisory in admission applications or via a link, featuring a prominent warning about aid reduction, common reasons for it, and practical steps to maximize aid. This advisory must also include application timelines, specific recommendations to avoid aid reduction, and contact details for financial aid support. The law, effective September 1, 2025, aims to increase transparency for students navigating financial aid processes.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 612: Relating to the authority of certain conservation and reclamation districts to impose fees for the construction of certain pipelines and associated infrastructure.

SB 612 limits fees that certain Texas conservation and reclamation districts can charge developers for pipeline infrastructure. It prohibits districts from imposing fees exceeding the actual, documented costs incurred for reviewing, engineering, inspecting, or constructing water or sewer pipelines and associated infrastructure in their service areas. The bill directly affects developers planning subdivisions or land divisions requiring new utility connections. Key provisions require districts to base fees strictly on verified expenses, preventing excessive charges. This policy change aims to ensure fee transparency and fairness for property owners and developers.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2064: Relating to an exemption from certain taxes imposed on the transfer of a motor vehicle to a person from a decedent or the decedent's estate.

SB 2064 exempts the motor vehicle transfer tax when a vehicle is passed from a decedent's estate to family members (such as spouses, parents, or children) or to a person inheriting property from the estate. The bill amends Texas Tax Code to explicitly include transfers from a decedent's estate as an exempt scenario, aligning it with existing exemptions for family gifts. It also requires exemption statements to be filed in person with the tax assessor-collector, using specific identification like a driver's license or passport.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results