Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 2365: Relating to a policy prohibiting the use of personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time.

SB 2365 would require Texas public school districts and charter schools to adopt policies banning students from using personal wireless devices (like smartphones, tablets, or laptops not issued by the school) during class time. The bill allows exceptions for devices needed for individualized education programs (IEPs), documented medical needs, or health/safety requirements. School boards must implement these policies starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all public school students in Texas during instructional periods, with limited exceptions for specific educational or safety needs.

Topics ✗ Technology

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 406: Relating to the required inclusion of a person's sex on a birth certificate and prohibited change of sex on the birth certificate of certain persons.

SB 406 requires Texas birth certificates to list a person's "biological sex" as male or female based on sex organs, chromosomes, or endogenous profile at birth, as mandated in Health and Safety Code Sections 192.002(c-1) and 192.003(f). It prohibits changing the sex marker on birth certificates except in three specific cases: correcting clerical errors, completing information when biological sex wasn’t initially listed, or for intersex individuals (those with atypical sex characteristics at birth) after medical determination. The bill directly affects parents reporting births, local registrars issuing certificates, and individuals seeking to amend birth records. It does not allow changes to reflect gender identity but permits limited updates for medical clarity or correction of errors.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 532: Relating to grant amounts under the young farmer grant program.

SB 532 amends Texas law to increase the minimum and maximum grant amounts for the Young Farmer Grant Program. It raises the minimum grant from $5,000 to $10,000 and the maximum from $20,000 to $35,000. This bill directly affects young farmers in Texas who apply for these grants under the program. The changes apply to grants issued on or after September 1, 2025, while existing grants remain governed by prior law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 609: Relating to requiring independent school districts, home-rule school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools to comply with legally required policies.

SB 609 requires all Texas independent school districts, home-rule school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools to implement and follow legally mandated policies, not just adopt them. The bill amends the Education Code to clarify that when state law requires a school entity to adopt a policy (such as for student safety or staff conduct), it must also actively implement and enforce that policy. This applies to school boards, governing bodies, and school personnel across all covered districts and charter schools. The law aims to ensure compliance with existing legal requirements through active implementation, rather than merely having policies on file.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 1033: Relating to the withdrawal of a candidate in a runoff primary election.

SB 1033 (Texas Senate Bill 1033) amends Texas election law to change rules for candidate withdrawal in runoff primary elections. It shortens the withdrawal deadline from the fifth to the third business day after the state canvass deadline (Section 172.059(a)). If a candidate withdraws before this deadline, the third-place primary finisher replaces them on the runoff ballot (Section 172.059(c)); if withdrawal occurs after, the remaining candidate wins by default and no runoff is held (Section 172.059(d)). The bill applies to elections ordered on or after September 1, 2025, affecting candidates and voters in Texas runoff primaries.

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 779: Relating to common law public nuisance claims.

SB 779 would create a new legal chapter in Texas law to limit common law public nuisance lawsuits. It prohibits private parties or local governments from filing such claims if they involve: (1) government-authorized activities (like permits or regulations), (2) conduct already covered by existing statutes or enforcement, or (3) product-related issues (manufacturing, selling, or marketing). The bill also states that aggregating individual injuries cannot create a public nuisance claim. This law would only apply to cases filed after its effective date, which would be September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

Topics ✗ Environment

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SJR 12: Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing a parent's right to direct a child's education.

SJR 12 proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a parent's right to direct their child's education in Texas. It would add Section 37 to the Texas Constitution, defining "parent" broadly to include natural parents, stepparents, adoptive parents, guardians, and legal custodians. The amendment guarantees specific rights: choosing public school options, selecting alternatives like private or homeschool, accessing school materials and records (including health records), and attending school meetings - without restriction based on disability. This is a procedural bill requiring voter approval in the November 2025 election.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 1124: Relating to discovery in a criminal case.

SB 1124 requires Texas prosecutors to provide criminal defendants with specific evidence - such as offense reports, witness statements, and physical evidence - within a reasonable time after the defendant submits a written request. It directly affects defendants in criminal cases by expanding their access to materials relevant to their defense. The bill mandates that prosecutors share documents and items in their possession (excluding attorney work product and privileged communications), while allowing courts to limit overly broad requests if they threaten victim/witness privacy or aren’t reasonably necessary for defense. It does not change core discovery rules but clarifies procedures for sharing evidence and redacting non-relevant portions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 1592: Relating to the collection of state and local hotel occupancy taxes and assessments related to hotels by an accommodations intermediary.

SB 1592 requires online booking platforms and similar services (called "accommodations intermediaries") to collect and remit Texas hotel occupancy taxes for bookings made through them, starting June 1, 2026. These intermediaries - like Airbnb or Expedia - must collect the tax from guests at booking time, report it to the state comptroller, and pay it directly, replacing the current system where hotels handled this. Hotels will no longer be responsible for collecting or remitting taxes on bookings facilitated by these intermediaries. The bill also mandates the comptroller to create simplified reporting forms and provide mapping data to help implement the new tax collection process.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SJR 81: Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income.

SJR 81 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to exempt up to $25,000 of the market value of tangible personal property (like business equipment or vehicles) from property taxes when the property is used to generate income. This would directly affect business owners and individuals who use such property for income-producing activities, such as rental properties or commercial operations. If approved by voters, the amendment would amend the Texas Constitution to authorize this specific tax exemption, requiring legislative action to implement. The bill must be voted on by Texas voters in November 2025 to take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · House Apr 17, 2025

HR 835: Recognizing April 17, 2025, as The University of Texas at Arlington Day at the State Capitol.

This resolution (HR 835) designates April 17, 2025, as "The University of Texas at Arlington Day at the State Capitol." It directly honors the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) by recognizing its historical significance, academic contributions, and economic impact through a ceremonial observance at the Texas State Capitol. The resolution contains no new policy provisions or funding mechanisms - it is purely symbolic, extending recognition to UTA for its 130-year history, 41,000+ student enrollment, and $28.8 billion annual economic contribution.

passed · Texas · House Apr 17, 2025

HR 765: Recognizing April 14, 2025, as San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day at the State Capitol.

This resolution formally recognizes April 14, 2025, as "San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants Day" at the Texas State Capitol. It acknowledges the gathering of members of the San Antonio Mission Indian Descendants community - whose ancestors lived on mission lands in the 1700s - and their nonprofit organization, which preserves cultural heritage. The resolution extends a welcome to the community delegation and directs the House to provide an official copy as a gesture of respect. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or legal effect.

Bill results