Texas Bills

passed · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 1760: Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for persons convicted of intoxication manslaughter.

HB 1760 increases the minimum prison sentence for intoxication manslaughter convictions from 120 days to 5 years under Section 49.08 of the Penal Code. It requires a minimum 5-year prison term before parole eligibility (Section 49.08(b)) and prohibits release to mandatory supervision until 5 years of actual calendar time is served, without counting good conduct time (Sections 49.08, 508.145, 508.147). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of causing death while driving under the influence. Key provisions include mandatory jail time before community supervision and strict parole restrictions for these offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 463: Relating to certain pretrial hearings for defendants charged with certain controlled substance offenses and the expunction of all records and files related to arrests for certain controlled substance offenses.

HB 463 automatically expunges arrest records for individuals charged with certain controlled substance offenses when their case is dismissed under specific conditions. It directly affects defendants whose charges are dismissed due to completion of court programs (veterans, mental health, or pretrial intervention), lab results showing no controlled substance was present, or dismissal due to lack of probable cause. The bill requires courts to issue expungement orders within 30 days of dismissal in cases where lab analysis confirms no controlled substance was found, and prohibits courts from charging fees for this process. This policy change removes barriers to clearing records for eligible individuals without requiring additional court petitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 865: Relating to civil liability arising from a firearm hold agreement.

HB 865 creates legal immunity for federal firearms licensees (like gun stores) who participate in "firearm hold agreements," where a customer voluntarily leaves their legally owned firearm with the licensee for temporary storage. The bill shields these licensees from civil lawsuits if injuries or deaths occur during the agreement or when returning the firearm, unless the licensee acted unlawfully or with gross negligence. This applies only to agreements initiated after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing claims. The law directly affects gun stores offering storage services and their customers using such agreements.

passed · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 3255: Relating to the authority of a development corporation created by the Gulf Coast Authority to finance certain projects.

HB 3255 expands the financing authority of a development corporation created by the Gulf Coast Authority to fund specific projects. It allows the corporation to finance educational/housing facilities, health facilities, tax-exempt organizations, hotels (including convention centers), and energy storage infrastructure - both inside and outside Texas. The bill streamlines out-of-state project approvals by requiring the attorney general to review documentation within 12 business days or the project proceeds without approval. It also removes certain compliance requirements (like Sections 501.203-501.257 of the Local Government Code) for this corporation. This technical amendment directly affects the Gulf Coast Authority’s development corporation, enabling broader project financing under existing legal frameworks.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Housing

passed · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 5333: Relating to the establishment of the STEM Excellence Graduate Fellowship program.

HB 5333 establishes the STEM Excellence Graduate Fellowship Program to provide merit-based scholarships for high-achieving doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields at Texas public research institutions. The program, administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board using state funds, awards fellowships to eligible U.S. citizen students who meet institutional merit criteria and pass background checks. It aims to retain top STEM talent at Texas' tier one and tier two research universities to support the state's economic growth goals. The bill defines eligibility requirements, including enrollment in a STEM doctoral program and institutional assessment of academic achievement.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Technology

passed · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 1576: Relating to a grant program for hurricane and windstorm loss mitigation for single-family residential property.

HB 1576 establishes a state grant program to help single-family homeowners retrofit properties to better withstand hurricanes and windstorms. The program provides funds for eligible homeowners (specifically those owning a homestead residence, including HUD-code manufactured homes in wind zone III) to meet specific safety standards like the Institute for Business and Home Safety's "fortified home" guidelines. Grants must be used solely for approved retrofitting work, with projects requiring local permits and inspections to comply with building codes. The bill clarifies the state will not fund retrofits as an entitlement, and the Insurance Commissioner will administer the program through rules and contracts.

passed · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 1266: Relating to expedited credentialing of certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurses by managed care plan issuers.

HB 1266 creates a new expedited process for credentialing physician assistants and advanced practice nurses (APNs) who join established medical groups already contracted with managed care plans. It allows these healthcare providers to bypass standard credentialing delays if they work for a medical group that has existing contracted rates for similar providers under a managed care plan. The bill requires providers to be licensed in good standing in Texas and submit required documentation, directly affecting PA/APN employees in qualifying medical groups and streamlining their access to managed care networks.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 1552: Relating to changing the name of the offense of child pornography to child sexual abuse material and to updating references to conform to that terminology.

HB 1552 updates Texas law to replace the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" in multiple statutes. It directly affects law enforcement, computer technicians, and digital service providers by requiring consistent terminology in legal references. Key provisions include amending Section 43.26 of the Penal Code (possession offense), Chapter 110 of the Business & Commerce Code (reporting requirements), and related definitions to use the new terminology. The bill maintains existing reporting obligations for technicians viewing such material but removes outdated references. This is a terminological update, not a change to legal standards or penalties.

passed · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 1583: Relating to the peace officer's notification of emergency detention form for persons evidencing mental illness and retention of that form.

HB 1583 requires Texas peace officers to file a standardized notification form when detaining someone for mental health reasons. The form must include specific details like the officer's belief that the person has mental illness, poses an imminent risk of serious harm, and evidence of recent behavior causing that risk. Facilities receiving the detained person must include this form in their clinical file. This bill directly affects peace officers, mental health facilities, and individuals experiencing mental health crises requiring emergency detention under Texas law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SR 467: Recognizing Alvin Community College on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

This is a ceremonial resolution (SR 467) recognizing Alvin Community College's 75th anniversary. It formally commemorates the college's history and achievements through Senate resolution, including its founding in 1948, campus expansions, student programs (like dual-credit courses and law enforcement training), and recognition as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The resolution has no policy impact or funding changes - it solely expresses the Texas Senate's symbolic support and best wishes for the college.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 2877: Relating to the penalty for the crime of election fraud; increasing a criminal penalty.

SB 2877 increases penalties for election fraud in Texas by elevating the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a second-degree felony under the Election Code. It directly affects individuals who commit acts like altering ballots, casting votes for deceased or ineligible voters, or destroying completed ballots without consent. The bill amends Section 276.013 to specify that such offenses become felonies unless committed by an elected official in their official capacity (then a state jail felony) or as an attempted offense (third-degree felony). This change applies only to offenses committed on or after the bill’s effective date, leaving prior offenses governed by existing law.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 1924: Relating to the enforcement of certain criminal offenses on school property.

SB 1924 would require students convicted of or placed on probation for school offenses (defined in Section 37.141) to complete community service and pay all fines before graduating high school. The bill amends education code to mandate that courts certify such completion to school districts before diplomas are issued. It also changes criminal procedure to allow law enforcement to issue citations for minor traffic or fine-only offenses instead of taking students into custody, while prohibiting citations for school offenses under certain conditions. This directly affects students in Texas public schools who face criminal charges for conduct on school property.

Bill results