Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 2289: Relating to reports regarding county jail prisoners confined in out-of-state jails.

SB 2289 requires Texas county jails to submit annual reports by February 1st about prisoners held in out-of-state jails due to overcrowding. The reports must include the total number of such prisoners and any deaths that occurred during their confinement. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards will set the report format and then summarize the data for state leaders by March 1st each year. This bill directly affects county jails and the commission, creating a system to track overcrowding impacts without changing jail operations or funding.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 2226: Relating to requirements for loans or grants provided by the Texas Transportation Commission to aviation facilities located in economically disadvantaged counties.

SB 2226 requires the Texas Transportation Commission to impose new conditions on loans or grants for aviation facilities in economically disadvantaged counties. It mandates that local governments maintain control of these facilities for at least 20 years, disclose all project funding sources, and secure at least 5% of the project cost from non-state sources (compared to 10% for other areas). The bill also requires adequate project planning and defines "economically disadvantaged counties" using existing state criteria. This law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 1871: Relating to discipline management and access to telehealth mental health services in public schools.

SB 1871 requires each public school campus to designate a behavior coordinator responsible for discipline management and ensuring access to telehealth mental health services. It creates legal immunity for school staff who report safety concerns or remove students from class under specific safety protocols. The bill also clarifies that school districts cannot exempt themselves from core education requirements like curriculum standards or accountability measures. These changes directly affect school staff, students, and campus administrators in Texas public schools. The bill aims to standardize discipline procedures while improving mental health service access without altering existing accountability frameworks.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 1527: Relating to the administration of, contributions to, and benefits under the public retirement systems for police and firefighters in certain municipalities.

SB 1527 modifies how Texas municipalities administer retirement systems for police and firefighters. It requires cities to make biweekly contributions based on a specific actuarial formula (using a 30-year amortization schedule for pension fund shortfalls) and mandates city council and board approval for actions that could increase pension liabilities, such as benefit changes or lawsuits. The bill directly affects municipal retirement systems serving these public safety workers in participating Texas cities. Key provisions include invalidating prior plan rules and requiring compliance with state government code for pension administration. The bill focuses on administrative changes to retirement fund contributions and oversight, not new benefits or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 388: Relating to the legislature's goals for electric generation capacity in this state.

SB 388 sets a goal that 50% of new electric generation capacity in Texas (after 2026) must come from natural gas power plants, which provide reliable on-demand electricity. It directly affects utilities, power companies, and electric cooperatives operating in the ERCOT grid region. The bill creates a credit system where companies that don’t meet the natural gas requirement can buy credits from others who do, with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality responsible for setting rules on how credits are calculated and used. The law also requires new natural gas projects to meet reliability standards and prioritize sites with economic potential for natural gas development. This is a substantive policy change affecting future energy investments, not a procedural measure.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 989: Relating to criminal history record information for certain master, magistrate, referee, associate judge, or other court official applicants appointed or employed to serve in a state court.

SB 989 requires applicants for specific court roles - such as masters, magistrates, referees, and associate judges who determine bail eligibility or amount - to submit fingerprints for criminal background checks. Courts must obtain these checks using records from the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI before appointing or employing these applicants. The bill also allows courts to contract with the Department of Public Safety to manage the checks and charge applicants for associated costs, while restricting the use of criminal history information solely to evaluation purposes and prohibiting disclosure without consent.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 1067: Relating to prohibiting public institutions of higher education and employees of public institutions of higher education and their spouses from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, donations, or investments from certain foreign entities.

SB 1067 prohibits Texas public universities and their employees from soliciting or accepting gifts, grants, donations, or investments from certain foreign entities. It specifically bans these actions with governments, political parties, or companies headquartered in countries identified by U.S. intelligence as posing national security risks. The bill requires institutions or employees to return any money or valuables received in violation to the foreign source. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all public higher education institutions and their employees in Texas.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 883: Relating to patient access to prescription drugs for off-label use for COVID-19 treatment.

SB 883, known as the "Right to Treat Act," allows Texas physicians to prescribe FDA-approved prescription drugs for off-label use (meaning a purpose not approved by the FDA) in treating patients diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, without state interference. The bill prohibits state officials from restricting such prescriptions and prevents the Texas Medical Board from taking disciplinary action against a physician’s license based solely on off-label prescribing for COVID-19, provided the treatment meets the medical standard of care. It also clarifies that the law does not create legal liability for drug manufacturers or physicians if harm occurs from off-label use in treating COVID-19. The bill directly affects physicians, patients with COVID-19, and state licensing authorities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SJR 39: Proposing a constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to override a veto of the governor following a regular session of the legislature.

SJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Texas lawmakers can override a governor's veto. Currently, veto overrides require a two-thirds vote during a legislative session. This bill would allow the legislature to override a veto after the regular session ends, by requiring a two-thirds vote in both chambers following adjournment. It directly affects the legislative process between Texas lawmakers and the governor, altering the timeline for veto challenges. The amendment would modify Article IV, Section 14 of the Texas Constitution to establish this new procedure.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 1320: Relating to the establishment of the organized oilfield theft prevention unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety.

SB 1320 creates a dedicated "Organized Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit" within the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The unit will investigate and arrest individuals committing thefts involving oil and gas equipment (like drilling machinery, pipes, or vehicles) under specific Texas Penal Code sections. Key provisions require the unit to coordinate with local law enforcement, the Railroad Commission, and victims; develop specialized training for police; maintain a centralized database of theft incidents; and submit biennial reports to lawmakers detailing arrests, prosecutions, and recommendations. This bill directly affects DPS operations, local law enforcement agencies, and the oil and gas industry by establishing a new state-level unit focused on preventing large-scale theft of oilfield equipment.

passed · Texas · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 222: Relating to the permissible uses of the school safety allotment under the Foundation School Program.

HB 222 clarifies how Texas public school districts must use funds allocated for school safety under the Foundation School Program. It specifies that these funds can be used for: securing school facilities (like infrastructure upgrades and non-razor-wire fencing), employing security personnel (including school resource officers), implementing safety training and mental health programs (such as counselors, threat reporting systems, and restorative practices), and suicide prevention initiatives. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts receiving these state safety allotments. It passed the Texas House on April 17, 2025, and is now pending further action.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 22, 2025

SB 32: Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of tangible personal property that is held or used for the production of income and a franchise tax credit for the payment of certain related ad valorem taxes.

SB 32 would create a $25,000 property tax exemption for businesses owning or leasing tangible personal property (like equipment or tools) used to generate income. This exemption applies to each business location within a taxing unit, with property at the same location being combined to determine eligibility. Businesses leasing equipment would receive the same exemption as if they owned it. The bill affects Texas businesses that use physical assets to produce income, reducing their local property tax burden on those assets.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results