Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SR 451: Recognizing April 25, 2025, as Dark Sky Day.

This resolution (SR 451) formally recognizes April 25, 2025, as "Dark Sky Day" in Texas. It commends DarkSky Texas for its work reducing light pollution, educating the public about energy conservation and wildlife protection, and promoting dark sky tourism. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any regulations; it is purely ceremonial. It acknowledges DarkSky Texas's efforts to preserve natural nighttime views, support migrating birds, and advance designated International Dark Sky Places across Texas. The Texas Senate adopted this resolution on April 28, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HR 872: Posthumously honoring former state representative Paul Cruz Moreno on the 94th anniversary of his birth.

HR 872 is a commemorative resolution honoring the late Texas State Representative Paul Cruz Moreno on the 94th anniversary of his birth. It recognizes his life and career, including his service as a Korean War veteran, his work on legislation for colonias and disability accessibility, his role as a founding member of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, and his legacy as the "Conscience of the House." The resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is purely ceremonial. The Texas House of Representatives adopted this resolution to posthumously honor Moreno's contributions to Texas.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 1832: Relating to providing for an election by the parent of a student who was victimized by a public school employee to transfer the student to another public school campus or receive funding for the student to attend private school.

SB 1832 allows parents of students victimized by public school employees to choose between transferring their child to another public school campus or receiving funding for private school attendance. It applies to students whose school employees were convicted of offenses against them, placed on deferred adjudication for such offenses, or reported for misconduct under specific Texas laws. Parents may elect either option under Section 38.551, with the program ending when the student graduates high school or loses public school eligibility. The bill establishes clear eligibility criteria and administrative procedures for school districts to implement these choices.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 503: Relating to the eligibility of certain counties to participate in the rural sheriff's office salary assistance grant program and the rural prosecutor's office salary assistance grant program.

HB 503 amends Texas law to expand eligibility for two salary assistance grant programs. It raises the population cap for qualifying counties (from 300,000 to 400,000) for the rural sheriff's office grant program and for qualifying prosecutor's offices (from 300,000 to 400,000 population in their jurisdiction). Counties and prosecutor's offices in jurisdictions with 300,000-400,000 residents can now apply for higher grant amounts: $650,000 for sheriff offices and $375,000 for prosecutor offices. The bill takes effect immediately if approved by two-thirds vote, or September 1, 2025, otherwise.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 2986: Relating to the authority of an appellate court to lift a stay in connection with an interlocutory appeal.

HB 2986 amends Texas law to clarify appellate court authority during civil appeals. It allows appellate courts to lift a stay (temporary halt to proceedings) on a party's request if the court determines it's necessary to prevent irreparable harm to a party or the public. This specifically applies to interlocutory appeals (appeals taken before a final judgment) and gives courts discretion to act quickly in urgent cases. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025. It directly affects civil litigants and appellate courts handling cases where immediate harm could occur while appeals are pending.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SR 461: In memory of Charles Floyd "Chuck" Cosper of Hereford.

This is a commemorative resolution (SR 461) passed by the Texas Senate to honor Charles Floyd "Chuck" Cosper of Hereford, who died on April 7, 2024, at age 85. The resolution recognizes his 30-year career as a game warden, his work as a pilot, his community service (including roles with Hereford Kids Inc. and the Hereford Booster Club), and his 66-year marriage to Sue Cosper. It extends the Senate's sympathy to his wife, four children, 7 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and other relatives. As a procedural resolution, it does not create any new laws or policies.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SR 458: Recognizing May 9, 2025, as Provider Appreciation Day.

This is a symbolic Senate Resolution (SR 458), not a bill with policy changes. It designates May 9, 2025, as "Provider Appreciation Day" to honor family child care providers across Texas. The resolution recognizes these providers for supporting young children, enabling working parents, and contributing to early childhood education. It has no legal effect or funding impact - it is purely a formal expression of appreciation by the Texas Senate. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 28, 2025.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SR 454: Recognizing April 16, 2025, as Refugio County Day.

This is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 454), not a substantive bill. It formally recognizes April 16, 2025, as "Refugio County Day" at the Texas State Capitol, welcoming the county's delegation to Austin. The resolution highlights Refugio County's history, agricultural economy, and local leadership without creating any new laws, funding, or policy changes. It serves as a symbolic gesture of recognition, with the Senate pledging to send a copy of the resolution to Refugio County.

passed · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1696: Relating to adding a designation on a person's driver's license or commercial driver's license indicating that the person is licensed to carry a handgun.

HB 1696 would allow Texas residents with a valid concealed handgun license to add a visible indicator on their driver's license or commercial driver's license showing they are licensed to carry a handgun. The designation would include the handgun license number and the validity period, but only apply while the handgun license remains active. This changes how identification must be displayed when carrying a handgun, requiring either the license with the new indicator or both the standard license and separate handgun license. The bill directly affects Texans who hold concealed handgun licenses and choose to opt into this visible indicator.

passed · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 972: Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of a property other than a residence homestead that is the primary residence of an adult who has an intellectual or developmental disability and who must be related to the owner or trustee of the property within a certain degree by consanguinity.

HB 972 creates a property tax exemption for non-homestead properties serving as the primary residence of an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability. The exemption applies only when the disabled adult is related to the property owner or trustee within the third degree of consanguinity (e.g., cousin, niece/nephew). It provides a tax reduction equal to the standard homestead exemption amount under Section 11.13(b) of the Texas Tax Code. This exemption does not apply to properties already covered by homestead exemptions and excludes existing homestead-qualified properties. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, pending voter approval of a related constitutional amendment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SR 452: In memory of Kurt Robert Lentz of Georgetown.

This is a commemorative Senate Resolution (SR 452), not a policy bill. It honors Kurt Robert Lentz, a Georgetown firefighter and paramedic who died on April 11, 2025, at age 33. The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's condolences to his family and commemorates his service as a first responder, mentor, and devoted family man. It has no policy provisions or direct effect on legislation or constituents.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SR 457: In memory of Edna Belle Pemberton of Dallas.

This is a commemorative Senate Resolution (SR 457) honoring Edna Belle Pemberton, a Dallas community advocate who died April 13, 2025, at age 81. The resolution recognizes her lifelong work in Dallas, including founding community initiatives, advocating for youth safety and infrastructure improvements, and serving as a voter registrar and church leader. It was adopted by the Texas Senate on April 28, 2025, as a formal expression of respect for her legacy. (Note: This is a non-binding resolution with no legislative effect.)

Bill results