Texas Bills

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 2582: Relating to the rights of a victim, guardian of a victim, advocate for a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim to certain information regarding a defendant's parole.

HB 2582 expands rights for victims, guardians of victims, and close relatives of deceased victims in Texas criminal cases by adding specific parole-related protections. The bill requires that these individuals be informed about parole procedures, allowed to participate in parole hearings, and given the opportunity to submit information for the parole board's consideration before a defendant is released. It also mandates that they receive notifications about parole decisions in a specified manner, ensuring they are kept updated on the defendant's status. These changes apply to cases involving defendants convicted of offenses covered under the law, directly affecting those impacted by criminal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 3157: Relating to interim rates charged by electric utilities during a rate suspension period.

HB 3157 allows electric utilities in Texas to implement temporary rates during a rate review period, provided the rates do not exceed the originally proposed rate. Utilities must notify retail electricity providers in their service area at least 45 days before the temporary rate takes effect and must refund excess payments or add surcharges to recover shortfalls if the final approved rate differs. The bill directly affects electric utilities operating within the ERCOT grid and retail electricity providers. It applies only to rate proceedings initiated after the law's effective date, repealing prior provisions about interim rate handling.

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 3860: Relating to the eligibility of an inmate for certain occupational licenses and the practice of certain occupations by an inmate of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

HB 3860 would allow Texas licensing boards to issue certain occupational licenses (for fields like air conditioning, electrical work, and barbering/cosmetology) to inmates in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) who participate in approved reentry programs. It specifically exempts inmates from standard licensing requirements when performing these jobs under supervision as part of TDCJ reentry initiatives. The bill creates new rules for license eligibility and clarifies that certain occupations are not subject to licensing restrictions for inmates in these programs. This directly affects TDCJ inmates seeking career pathways and the licensing boards overseeing those professions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 2216: Relating to procedures and grounds related to the removal and placement of children, including for terminating the parent-child relationship, for taking possession of a child, and for certain hearings in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship filed by a governmental entity.

HB 2216 amends Texas Family Code Section 161.001 to clarify procedures for terminating parental rights in cases involving the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). It defines "born addicted to alcohol or controlled substance" with specific medical criteria and lists new grounds for termination, including abandonment, endangerment, and failure to support. The bill requires courts to find termination "beyond a reasonable doubt" (replacing the prior "clear and convincing evidence" standard) for certain cases. This directly affects parents facing termination proceedings, DFPS caseworkers, and family courts handling child welfare cases. The changes aim to standardize evidence requirements and definitions in parental termination cases.

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 1277: Relating to the study of plant disease and pest outbreaks by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

HB 1277 requires the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to annually study all plant disease and pest outbreaks in Texas, tracking their duration, resolution methods, and relevant details. The service must publish yearly reports online by January 1 and submit a comprehensive policy recommendations report by January 1, 2028. This bill directly affects Texas agricultural producers and the Extension Service, which will conduct the studies and reporting. The law expires January 31, 2028, and passed the Texas Legislature on May 7, 2025.

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 4665: Relating to providing training for employees and operators of certain child-care facilities.

HB 4665 requires childcare facilities in Texas to provide age-appropriate training to employees and directors, directly affecting all licensed childcare providers and their staff. The bill specifies seven categories of approved training providers, including Texas-registered trainers, educators teaching early childhood development, medical professionals, and experienced childcare directors with specific credentials. Training must align with the children's age and be delivered by individuals meeting strict qualifications outlined in the bill. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate implementation. This focuses on ensuring trainers have relevant expertise, not changing who must receive training.

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 1411: Relating to the use of personal leave during school holidays by certain school district employees.

HB 1411 allows certain school district employees to use their personal leave days for school holidays, meaning they can receive pay for days when school is closed (instead of taking unpaid time off). This applies only to non-exempt employees (not covered by federal overtime rules) and those with non-annualized pay. Employees may use up to two personal leave days per year for school holidays under this provision. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 2448: Relating to the waiver of a defendant's arraignment.

HB 2448 amends Texas criminal procedure to allow defense attorneys to waive a defendant's arraignment without requiring the defendant's physical presence in court. It permits attorneys to sign the waiver on the defendant's behalf instead of needing the defendant's signature. This directly affects criminal defendants and their attorneys in Texas courts during initial court proceedings. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 3261: Relating to the eligibility of criminal defendants for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information for certain offenses committed when younger than 25 years of age.

HB 3261 shortens the waiting periods for certain individuals to petition for sealing their criminal records. It allows people under 25 years old who committed specific offenses (like misdemeanors or certain felonies) to apply for an "order of nondisclosure" immediately after completing probation, rather than waiting years. For example, misdemeanor offenders can now petition right after discharge (previously requiring a one-year wait), and state jail felony offenders can apply after one year instead of two. This change directly affects eligible criminal defendants seeking to hide certain past offenses from public view. The bill amends Texas Government Code Sections 411.0725 and 411.0727.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 1499: Relating to the creation of an environmental product declaration grant program for certain manufacturers of ready-mixed concrete.

HB 1499 creates a grant program administered by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to reimburse ready-mixed concrete manufacturers for costs associated with obtaining environmental product declarations (EPDs). EPDs are independently verified, environmentally focused labels showing a product's life-cycle impact. The program requires manufacturers receiving grants to commit to using EPDs for their concrete products, with TCEQ setting eligibility rules, application processes, and monitoring procedures. This policy directly affects concrete manufacturers by reducing their costs for environmental labeling compliance, effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 886: Relating to a one-time supplemental payment of benefits under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

This bill requires the Texas Employees Retirement System to make a one-time supplemental payment in January 2026 to eligible retirees and beneficiaries. The payment equals the lesser of $2,000 or the retiree’s regular December 2025 annuity amount, added to their existing monthly benefit. It excludes certain disability retirees, elected officials’ families, and other specific categories listed in the bill. The payment is in addition to regular benefits and subject to standard tax withholdings.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 1773: Relating to allowing the board of trustees of certain school districts to create a nonvoting student trustee position on the board.

HB 1773 allows certain Texas school districts to appoint a nonvoting student trustee to their board of trustees. This position enables students to attend board meetings, participate in discussions, and provide student perspectives, but the student trustee cannot vote or count toward meeting quorums. The bill applies only to school districts not covered by existing rules (Section 11.0511 of the Education Code). It takes effect September 1, 2025, and creates a formal mechanism for student input without altering voting authority.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results