HB 3326 requires Texas public colleges and universities to help adjunct and part-time faculty qualify for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Institutions must count part-time faculty hours at 3.35 hours per credit hour taught and designate them as full-time if they average 30 hours weekly. They must certify employment within 60 days of receiving a faculty member's application and provide annual written notice (by October 1) about PSLF eligibility to all employees. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.
HJR 4 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit Texas from imposing an occupation tax on financial firms regulated by federal agencies (like stock exchanges, brokers, and clearinghouses) or taxing their securities transactions. It directly affects entities such as stock exchanges, broker-dealers, and other registered securities market operators. The amendment explicitly allows existing taxes like sales taxes, insurance premiums, and general business taxes but blocks new state taxes targeting securities transactions or these specific firms. This is a constitutional change, not a regular law, requiring voter approval after legislative passage.
HB 2622 requires that female patients being transported to mental health or residential care facilities must be accompanied by a female care provider, unless specific exceptions apply. The bill allows transport by a male attendant if they wear an activated body camera or if the transport vehicle has active audio/video recording. It also permits transport by a patient's father, husband, adult brother, or son. This law directly affects female patients receiving care in these facilities and sets clear safety and privacy standards for their transportation. The bill amends Texas Code of Criminal Procedure and Health and Safety Code, effective September 1, 2025.
HB 1842 modifies Texas law to regulate how nonprofit wildlife conservation associations can sell charitable raffle tickets. The bill prohibits these organizations from using paid advertising (like TV, radio, or newspapers) or statewide promotion for raffles, except through their website to existing supporters. It specifically allows them to sell tickets online only to previously identified supporters, while banning animated graphics for raffle entries or drawings. This applies to qualified nonprofits under Section 2002.003(e) of the Occupations Code and takes effect September 1, 2025, if not passed with a two-thirds vote.
This Texas bill amends the Occupations Code to clarify which rodeo organizations can conduct charitable raffles through their foundations. It adds specific definitions to include organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) or Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) as "professional sports teams," and defines "rodeo venues" as facilities hosting sanctioned rodeo events. This change directly affects charitable foundations affiliated with PRCA/WPRA-sanctioned rodeo organizations operating at approved venues. The bill does not create new raffle rules but updates eligibility criteria under existing law, effective September 2025.
HB 2115 establishes minimum salary requirements for rural law enforcement positions funded through state grants. It sets annual minimums of $75,000 for sheriffs, $45,000 for deputies making traffic stops, and $40,000 for jailers/telecommunicators. Counties receiving grants must use funds exclusively for these salaries, hiring, or equipment, and must contribute 75% of the required salary costs. The bill directs the comptroller to create application rules, deadlines, and monitoring procedures to ensure funds are used properly. This directly affects rural Texas counties operating sheriff's offices, constable offices, and prosecutor's offices.
HB 1943 exempts members of the Winkler County Juvenile Board from specific state compensation rules outlined in the Human Resources Code. The bill amends Section 152.2541(d) to exclude Winkler County's juvenile board from Sections 152.0002 through 152.0008, which govern compensation for certain local officials. This change directly affects Winkler County Juvenile Board members by altering their compensation structure under state law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.
HB 405 establishes a fee structure and grant program for producers of renewable fuels. It imposes a 3.2-cent fee per gallon for fuel ethanol and renewable diesel, and a 1.6-cent fee per gallon for biodiesel. Producers receive a 20-cent grant per gallon for fuel ethanol and renewable diesel, and a 10-cent grant per gallon for biodiesel, for up to 10 years from when production begins at a registered plant. The bill directly affects renewable fuel producers operating in Texas.
HB 1887 allows adopted Texans and specific relatives (adult descendants, adult siblings, surviving spouses, or adoptive parents) to request noncertified copies of original birth certificates without a court order. To qualify, the person must have been born in Texas, make the request after turning 18, have a supplementary birth certificate issued, and provide identity proof. The state registrar will charge the same fee as for standard noncertified birth certificates. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, but the new access provisions won't apply until July 1, 2026.
HB 2498 requires Texas licensing authorities to include specific notices in application forms and on their websites about how criminal convictions may affect occupational license eligibility. The notice must explain that prior convictions could lead to denial, list the factors used to evaluate eligibility (per Sections 53.022-53.023), and inform applicants about requesting a criminal history evaluation letter. Licensing authorities must also track and annually report statistics on applications, approvals, denials (especially those due to criminal history), and evaluation letter requests to the legislature and the public. The bill directly affects individuals seeking occupational licenses who have criminal records and the state agencies that issue those licenses. It applies to most occupational licensing boards but excludes the State Securities Board.
HB 786 requires counties with 3.3 million or more residents (like Harris County) to install metal detectors and assign security personnel (constable, deputy, or sheriff) at every public entrance of justice courts. It mandates that counties first use existing courthouse security funds before tapping into general county revenue to cover these costs. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting justice court operations in Texas' largest counties. This is a concrete security requirement with no funding or policy changes beyond the specified court access measures.
HB 1914 modifies Texas Family Code to address child custody arrangements when a conservator (legal guardian) becomes incapacitated. It allows the other appointed conservator to temporarily assume the incapacitated conservator's parenting time immediately upon incapacitation - defined as a physical/mental condition or incarceration preventing care for the child’s basic needs (food, shelter, health) - until the court issues a permanent modification or the conservator recovers. The bill does not apply if the existing court order already restricted that conservator’s access. It applies only to incapacitation occurring on or after September 1, 2025.
