Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 1756: Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue for hotel and convention center projects and other qualified projects.

SB 1756 limits Texas municipalities to using certain tax revenues for only one qualified project, such as a hotel, convention center, or historic hotel renovation. It prohibits municipalities from pledging or committing revenue for additional projects after the first qualified project is selected. The bill includes a grandfather clause allowing municipalities that already committed to multiple hotel projects before January 1, 2025, to maintain those commitments but prevents new pledges for additional projects after that date. This bill directly affects cities and local government corporations seeking to fund tourism infrastructure through tax revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 407: Relating to a health care facility's required policy for vaccine preventable diseases.

SB 407 would require Texas healthcare facilities to include conscience-based exemptions (including religious beliefs) in their policies for vaccine-preventable diseases. It mandates that facilities cannot reject such exemptions for any reason. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities (like hospitals and clinics) and patients seeking exemptions based on personal or religious beliefs. Key provisions amend existing law to specify that exemption policies must allow for conscience claims and prohibit facility refusal of these exemptions. The bill was reported adversely by the Health & Human Services Committee on April 22, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 2253: Relating to the certification of public school educators, including financial and other assistance provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency.

SB 2253 modifies Texas teacher certification rules to require most public school classroom teachers to hold state-issued certificates by the 2029-2030 school year, with limited exceptions for non-core subjects in early grades during the 2026-2027 school year. It creates a $1,000 one-time incentive payment for school districts that certify new, initially uncertified teachers (hired 2022-2023) by the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The bill establishes four new teacher certification types (standard, enhanced, and two intern categories) with specific pathways for preparation and residency programs. These changes directly affect school districts, new teachers, and the Texas Education Agency's certification and funding processes under state law.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 963: Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the fall of South Vietnam at the conclusion of the Vietnam War.

This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 963), not a policy bill. It formally commends the 50th anniversary of South Vietnam's fall on April 30, 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War. The resolution recognizes the sacrifices of American and South Vietnamese military personnel, the evacuation of over 100,000 Vietnamese refugees to the U.S., and the contributions of Vietnamese American communities - particularly in Texas, home to nearly 300,000 Vietnamese Americans. It has no legal effect or policy changes; it solely serves to honor historical events and community impact.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 2658: Relating to the production and study of brackish groundwater.

This bill amends Texas Water Code sections to require the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to produce biennial reports on brackish groundwater desalination. The reports must evaluate progress, identify barriers to projects, assess the state's role in development, and estimate funding needs. The bill also directs the TCEQ to designate specific brackish groundwater production zones with strict criteria, including water quality standards (≤1,000 mg/L total dissolved solids) and restrictions to protect areas like the Edwards Aquifer and certain conservation districts. These provisions directly affect state water agencies and local districts planning desalination projects, aiming to expand brackish groundwater use while avoiding conflicts with existing water sources.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 2558: Relating to the child support obligation of an obligor during the obligor's confinement in jail or prison.

HB 2558 modifies Texas law to protect incarcerated parents from being held in contempt for unpaid child support under specific conditions. It prevents courts from finding a parent in contempt if they demonstrate they were confined in jail or prison for at least 90 consecutive days (excluding confinement for family violence offenses or prior non-compliance with child support orders) and lacked resources to pay during that time. The bill applies to hearings beginning on or after September 1, 2025, and requires the parent or their attorney to present credible evidence at the hearing. This change directly affects parents serving prison sentences who face child support enforcement actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SR 448: Recognizing Stephen F. Austin State University Sylvans on the occasion of their victory at the 66th Annual Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Conclave.

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (not a law) commending the Stephen F. Austin State University Sylvans forestry club for winning the 66th Annual Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Conclave. It recognizes their 19th overall championship title and seven-year winning streak, highlighting their victory through events like log chopping, crosscut sawing, and forestry knowledge competitions. The resolution formally expresses the Texas Senate's praise and provides the team with a copy of the resolution as a token of recognition. It has no policy impact or financial implications.

passed · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 3309: Relating to the use of automated traffic control systems by local authorities and law enforcement agencies.

HB 3309 restricts local authorities and law enforcement from using automated speed cameras (like photo radar) to enforce speed limits on most roads, except in construction or maintenance work zones. It requires agencies to delete non-relevant data promptly and mandates clear signs at least 100 feet before work zones, plus officer presence when issuing citations. The bill directly affects municipalities and police departments that operate traffic enforcement systems. Key changes include banning general use of automated speed enforcement while creating specific rules for work zone safety, ensuring citations can only be issued if officers are present and signs meet clear standards.

Topics ✗ Technology ✗ Transportation

passed · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1127: Relating to the promotion of breast-feeding and the prohibition against interference with or restriction of the right to breast-feed.

HB 1127 protects mothers' right to breastfeed or express milk in any location where they and their child are authorized to be, such as public spaces, workplaces, or state facilities. It requires state agencies to develop "mother-friendly" worksite policies and mandates annual notifications about these rights through tax newsletters and seminars. The bill creates a civil remedy allowing mothers to sue for violations, with potential damages up to $500 per day of interference and recovery of attorney fees. This law directly affects breastfeeding mothers, businesses, state agencies, and public venues by prohibiting discrimination and ensuring access to breastfeeding support.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SR 463: In memory of Pope Francis.

SR 463 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Texas Senate to honor Pope Francis following his death on April 21, 2025. It expresses the Senate's tribute to his life, legacy, and global impact as the first pope from Latin America and the Jesuit order. The resolution extends condolences to those mourning his passing and recognizes his work promoting mercy, justice, and service to the vulnerable. As a symbolic gesture with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents, it serves solely as a formal expression of respect.

passed · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 406: Relating to notification of the execution of certain local economic development agreements by a municipality or county to local workforce development boards.

HB 406 requires Texas municipalities and counties to notify local workforce development boards within 14 days when entering, amending, or renewing certain economic development agreements. The notice must include specific details outlined in state law (Government Code § 403.0246(c)). This applies only to agreements executed on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects local governments and workforce boards in the relevant service areas. The bill establishes a procedural requirement for transparency between economic development agreements and workforce planning entities.

passed · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 3770: Relating to efficiency and strategic fiscal reviews of state agencies conducted by the Legislative Budget Board.

HB 3770 requires the Legislative Budget Board to conduct regular efficiency reviews of Texas state agencies. Each state fiscal biennium, the Board must review at least 25 state agencies (including one from each section of the budget) and 40 programs across those agencies. The Board must publish detailed reports by September 1 of even-numbered years, including cost-saving analyses and five-year projections for recommended efficiency improvements. These reports will be shared with the governor and legislature to inform fiscal decisions. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results