Texas Bills

passed · Texas · House Apr 24, 2025

HR 891: In memory of Edna Belle Pemberton of Dallas.

This is a commemorative resolution (HR 891) honoring Edna Belle Pemberton, a Dallas Oak Cliff community leader who passed away in April 2025. The resolution recognizes her decades of service, including organizing school supply programs, advocating for Route 66 bus service, establishing homeless initiatives, and revitalizing Red Bird Mall. It does not create new laws or affect any group through policy changes - it solely serves as a formal tribute from the Texas House of Representatives to her legacy. The resolution was adopted unanimously on April 24, 2025.

passed · Texas · House Apr 24, 2025

HR 906: In memory of Sallye R. Moore of Grand Prairie.

This is a memorial resolution (HR 906) honoring Sallye R. Moore, a retired Grand Prairie educator and community leader who passed away on April 15, 2025. The resolution commemorates her 40+ year career in education - including roles as a teacher, principal, and associate superintendent - and her civic service as chair of the Grand Prairie Civil Service Commission and president of community organizations. It extends sympathy to her family (including her son Gregory, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren) and was adopted by the Texas House on April 24, 2025. As a symbolic tribute, it does not create new laws or affect any policy.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 24, 2025

SB 2051: Relating to the impeachment or removal from office of certain public officers, including procedures governing the impeachment, trial on impeachment, and disqualification of state officers, and to the grounds for which certain public officers may be removed from office.

SB 2051 establishes detailed procedures for impeaching and removing Texas state officers, including the governor, lieutenant governor, and other state officials. It requires all testimony in impeachment proceedings to be given under oath in open sessions, mandates 48-hour notice of committee materials to all legislative members before votes, and prohibits legislators from voting if they are closely related (within third degree) to the officer being impeached. The bill also requires the House and Senate to track and report all costs of impeachment proceedings - including investigative and trial expenses - to specified state officials within 60 days of conclusion. Additionally, it clarifies that state officers can only be removed for acts committed while holding office, not for actions taken before assuming the position.

passed · Texas · House Apr 24, 2025

HB 2669: Relating to the establishment of a reporting and education program for the dangers of balloons to livestock.

HB 2669 requires Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to establish a system for ranchers to report balloons on their property and livestock deaths caused by balloon ingestion. It mandates an education program for ranchers about this reporting system and for the public about balloon dangers to wildlife. The program will produce annual reports to the legislature by January 1, 2026, containing data and potential solutions. This law directly affects ranchers and aims to reduce balloon-related livestock harm through reporting and awareness.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 24, 2025

SR 445: Recognizing April 24, 2025, as La Salle County Day.

This is a ceremonial resolution, not a substantive bill. It formally recognizes April 24, 2025, as "La Salle County Day" at the Texas State Capitol. The resolution extends a welcome to a visiting delegation from La Salle County and includes historical context about the county's founding and development. It has no policy impact or direct effect on residents, as it serves only as a symbolic gesture of recognition.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 24, 2025

SJR 68: Proposing a constitutional amendment to clarify and implement certain provisions governing the impeachment, trial, removal from office, and disqualification of public officers.

SJR 68 proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify Texas impeachment procedures. It specifies that suspended state officers retain regular pay during impeachment, allows the Governor to make temporary appointments for vacancies caused by suspension (except for the Governor's own position), and requires the Legislature to create laws governing impeachment trials and removal processes. The amendment also clarifies that Article IV's vacancy rules apply to suspended or removed Governors. If approved by voters in the November 2025 election, these changes would become part of the Texas Constitution.

passed · Texas · House Apr 24, 2025

HB 307: Relating to credit toward payment of fines and costs for certain defendants.

HB 307 updates Texas law to increase credit toward fines and costs for misdemeanor defendants who cannot pay immediately. It raises the daily credit rate from $100 to $150 for work in county jail programs, confinement, or community service (8 hours = $150 credit). Defendants can apply this earned credit toward their remaining fine balance instead of paying the full amount. This directly affects low-income misdemeanor offenders facing financial barriers to court-ordered payments.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · House Apr 24, 2025

HB 1644: Relating to the use, possession, delivery, or manufacture of testing equipment that identifies the presence of a substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B or xylazine.

HB 1644 exempts individuals from certain drug law penalties when using, possessing, delivering, or manufacturing equipment that tests for fentanyl, its derivatives, or xylazine. It directly affects harm reduction organizations, first responders, and public health workers who use testing kits to identify these substances in communities. The bill adds a new exception (Section 481.125(j)) to Texas' Health and Safety Code, clarifying that testing equipment for these specific drugs is not subject to criminal penalties under existing law. The exemption applies only to equipment testing for fentanyl, alpha-methylfentanyl, or xylazine, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · House Apr 24, 2025

HB 2118: Relating to the issuance of oversize or overweight permits for vehicles transporting agricultural commodities during or preceding a disaster.

HB 2118 creates a special permit allowing oversized or overweight trucks to transport Texas-grown agricultural commodities (including crops, livestock, processed foods, and woodchips) during or before declared disasters. The permit requires approval from the Texas Division of Emergency Management and applies only when a federal or state disaster is declared under the Robert T. Stafford Act or Texas Government Code. It amends Texas Transportation Code to temporarily relax standard weight limits for vehicles delivering these essential goods during emergencies. This change directly affects agricultural transporters needing to move commodities quickly during disaster response or preparation.

passed · Texas · House Apr 24, 2025

HB 1035: Relating to the contents of an affidavit required to be included with an application for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.

HB 1035 requires property owners seeking a property tax exemption for child-care facilities to submit an affidavit with their application. This applies to owners leasing property to "qualifying child-care facilities" (licensed facilities participating in Texas' child-care program and serving 20% subsidized children). The affidavit must certify that the tenant receives a clear disclosure of tax savings, that rent reflects these savings (via net lease or rent credit), and that rent does not exceed market rates for comparable space. The law ensures tax benefits directly reduce costs for child-care operators by mandating transparency in lease pricing.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 24, 2025

SR 432: Recognizing Rob Kepple on his exemplary career with the Texas District and County Attorneys Association.

This Senate Resolution (SR 432) formally recognizes Rob Kepple for his 22-year service as executive director of the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. It honors his career as a prosecutor, legal expert, and leader who helped grow the association into the nation's largest statewide prosecutors' group, including contributions to drafting the 1993 Texas Penal Code. The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's appreciation for his "exemplary career" and "many contributions" to Texas law enforcement. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely serves as an expression of esteem from the Senate.

passed · Texas · House Apr 24, 2025

HB 2176: Relating to the composition and duties of a court security committee.

HB 2176 requires local court administrators to establish a court security committee for each county. The committee must include the local administrative judge (or designee), sheriff's office representatives, constable offices, county commissioners court, judges from various courts, a justice of the peace, and county attorney representatives. It mandates the committee to adopt security policies and procedures for local courts. This bill directly affects county court operations and security coordination by defining committee membership and responsibilities under Texas law.

Bill results