Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SR 460: Recognizing April 29, 2025, as Crockett County Day.

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 460), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes April 29, 2025, as "Crockett County Day" at the Texas State Capitol. The resolution extends a welcome to Crockett County residents gathering in Austin for this celebration. It directly affects the Crockett County delegation attending the Capitol event and serves solely as a symbolic honor, with no binding policy or funding provisions.

passed · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HJR 31: Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to define certain terms for purposes of the exemption from ad valorem taxation of farm products in the hands of the producer.

HJR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas Legislature to define "farm products" and "in the hands of the producer" for property tax exemption purposes. This would clarify which agricultural goods and production stages qualify for the existing tax exemption, potentially including livestock, poultry, timber, and farming supplies. If approved by voters in November 2025, the amendment would change the state constitution to give the Legislature authority to set these definitions through regular law, without altering the exemption itself. The bill directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses claiming the tax exemption.

passed · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 1126: Relating to sunscreening devices installed on a motor vehicle that displays or qualifies for the issuance of a judicial specialty license plate.

HB 1126 amends Texas law to allow certain sunscreening devices (like tinted films) on vehicles displaying judicial specialty license plates, which would otherwise be restricted under existing window tint regulations. It specifically permits these devices if they meet requirements such as allowing 25% or more light transmission, reflecting 25% or less light, and not using red/blue/amber colors. The bill affects judicial personnel (e.g., judges, court staff) who use vehicles with specialty license plates by clarifying exceptions for their windshield, side window, and rear window sunscreening. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not change general window tint rules for other vehicles.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SR 462: Recognizing U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanic for his service aboard the USS Vulcan during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

This resolution (SR 462) formally honors U.S. Navy Petty Officer Simon Urbanic for his service as an opticalman aboard the USS Vulcan during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. It recognizes his role in maintaining critical navigation equipment for ships enforcing the U.S. naval quarantine around Cuba. The Texas Senate adopted the resolution on April 29, 2025, to commend Urbanic's service and present him with an official copy as a gesture of appreciation. (Note: This is a commemorative resolution, not a law affecting policy or funding.)

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SR 456: Recognizing the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America.

This resolution (SR 456) is a ceremonial recognition by the Texas Senate of the Texas chapters of Blue Star Mothers of America (BSMA). It acknowledges their service to military families and veterans, including shipping care packages, visiting hospitalized veterans, and supporting military communities. The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it solely expresses the Senate's commendation for their contributions.

passed · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 363: Relating to the filing with the county clerk of certain counties of a draft of a petition requesting the creation of a municipal utility district.

HB 363 requires petitioners seeking to create a municipal utility district to send certified mail notice to county commissioners courts at least 30 days before filing their petition with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The notice must describe the proposed district's boundaries (using exact location details) and inform counties of their right to respond, review the petition, and submit written opinions. This bill amends the Water Code to add Section 54.0135 (requiring the notice) and updates Section 54.015 (adding a requirement that petitions include a copy of this notice). It applies only to petitions filed on or after the bill's effective date, directly affecting counties and those proposing new utility districts.

passed · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 2002: Relating to the eligibility of an organization to receive surplus agricultural products under certain grants awarded by the Department of Agriculture.

HB 2002 establishes new eligibility requirements for nonprofits seeking state grants to distribute surplus agricultural products. To qualify, organizations must have at least five years of experience coordinating a statewide food bank network, operate a program for collecting and transporting surplus food to low-income communities, and submit a detailed proposal including cost schedules, measurable goals, and evaluation plans. The bill also requires grant recipients to make surplus products available to any food bank operating in five or more Texas counties. This law, effective September 1, 2025, aims to ensure grant recipients have statewide capacity to distribute food efficiently.

passed · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 368: Relating to a prohibition on remotely controlling electronic devices of certain individuals and to the criminal prosecution of that conduct.

HB 368 prohibits alleged offenders in family violence protective orders from remotely controlling electronic devices affecting the victim's residence, vehicle, or property. It directly affects individuals subject to protective orders in family violence cases, adding this specific conduct to existing prohibitions. The key provision (Section 1(a)(2)(F)) explicitly bans remotely controlling devices like smart home systems or tracking apps without the victim's consent. This targets technology-enabled harassment tactics, such as manipulating devices to monitor or intimidate victims. The bill amends Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to include this as a punishable violation under protective order enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

passed · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 1495: Relating to the prohibited release of personal information collected during the jury selection process.

HB 1495 protects personal information collected during Texas jury selection by making it confidential. It prohibits courts, parties, attorneys, or court staff from disclosing specific details like home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, or juror questionnaire responses. Disclosure is only allowed if a party or media member obtains court approval showing "good cause." The law applies only to individuals reporting for jury duty on or after September 1, 2025. This directly affects Texas residents summoned for jury service by safeguarding their sensitive personal data.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 917: Relating to a district or county attorney participating as counsel in certain proceedings.

HB 917 restricts district and county attorneys from representing opposing sides in legal cases against the state, both during and after their employment. Specifically, it prohibits them from serving as "counsel adversely to the state" in any court case except in limited family law matters (as an attorney ad litem under Family Code Chapter 262) and bars them from taking such opposing roles after leaving office if they previously represented the state. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025, leaving prior cases governed by existing law. This aims to prevent conflicts of interest by ensuring prosecutors do not later work against the state they once represented.

passed · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 745: Relating to an exemption from jury service for certain crime victims or close relatives of deceased crime victims.

HB 745 creates a new exemption from jury service for crime victims or close relatives of deceased crime victims who testified in court about the offense. It adds this category to existing exemptions in Texas law, requiring the person to have provided testimony in a court proceeding related to the crime. The exemption applies only to those summoned for jury duty on or after September 1, 2025, the bill's effective date. This change modifies Section 62.106(a)(10) of the Government Code to specifically include qualified crime victims and their close relatives.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 125: Relating to the creation of the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

HB 125 creates the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine as a new academic unit within Tarleton State University. The bill establishes that the college will operate under the oversight of the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, offer osteopathic medicine degrees under Tarleton's authority, and partner with public or private teaching hospitals. This legislation directly affects Tarleton State University students seeking osteopathic medicine degrees and expands Texas' network of medical education institutions. The bill amends Texas Education Code to formally include the new college in the state's list of authorized medical and dental programs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Bill results