Texas Bills

passed · Texas · House Aug 28, 2025

HR 57: Congratulating Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Michael Lee Russell on his retirement from the Texas State Guard.

HR 57 is a ceremonial resolution congratulating Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Michael Lee Russell on his retirement from the Texas State Guard. It recognizes his 20+ years of service, including roles as a medical officer, commander of military units, and leadership during the 2021 winter storm, alongside awards like the Texas Medal of Merit. The resolution has no policy provisions - it solely expresses the Texas House of Representatives' appreciation for his contributions. This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with legislative impact, and was adopted on August 27, 2025.

in committee · Texas · House Aug 28, 2025

HR 99: Congratulating Tina Cannon on her retirement as president and CEO of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

This is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) honoring Tina Cannon's retirement as president and CEO of the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce. It recognizes her five years of leadership, including growing chamber membership by over 500%, launching the Pride in Local Music Festival, and advancing equity initiatives like the Regional Equity in Economic Development Plan. The resolution has no legal effect - it simply expresses the Texas House's appreciation for her service to Austin's LGBTQ+ business community.

in committee · Texas · House Aug 28, 2025

HB 29: Relating to election procedures regarding accepting a voter with a residence address that is not current and the immediate effect of a voter's registration after the registrar's receipt of certain change of address notices.

HB 29 modifies Texas election procedures for voters who move within their county but haven't updated their registration address. It allows these voters to cast ballots immediately in their current precinct if they submit a specific statement confirming their residence and providing full registration details to election officials. The bill replaces the previous 30-day waiting period for address changes with immediate effect upon submission of this statement. Voters must verify they meet residence requirements and include all necessary registration information, but they no longer need to wait 30 days for their address change to take effect. This change applies only to notices submitted on or after the bill's effective date.

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 28, 2025

SB 58: Relating to the treatment of a replacement structure for a structure that was rendered uninhabitable or unusable by a casualty, a natural disaster, or wind or water damage as a new improvement for ad valorem tax purposes.

SB 58 (Texas) changes how property taxes are calculated for rebuilt structures after disasters. It states that replacing a damaged home or building (due to storms, fires, or natural disasters) does **not** count as a new "improvement" for tax purposes if the replacement matches the original size and exterior materials. However, it would count as a new improvement only if the new structure has more square footage or uses higher-quality exterior materials than the original. The bill also includes an exception if original materials are unavailable, allowing comparable materials without triggering higher taxes. It takes effect for 2026 tax years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Texas · House Aug 28, 2025

HB 295: Relating to election procedures regarding accepting a voter with a residence address that is not current and the immediate effect of a voter's registration after the registrar's receipt of certain change of address notices.

HB 295 changes Texas election rules for voters who move within their county but haven't updated their registration. It allows voters to cast ballots in their current precinct immediately after submitting a statement verifying their new address and meeting residency requirements, instead of waiting 30 days for registration changes to take effect. The bill requires voters to provide the same information needed for initial registration, including their current address and a statement confirming they reside in the precinct. This applies only to address change notices submitted after the bill's effective date. The law affects voters who relocate within their county but haven't updated their registration records.

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 28, 2025

SB 57: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain acts of official oppression.

SB 57 increases criminal penalties for public servants who commit official oppression, specifically targeting those who manipulate education data or cause bodily injury while abusing their authority. It upgrades certain offenses from misdemeanors to felonies: a third-degree felony applies to public servants intentionally altering data reported to the Texas Education Agency via the PEIMS system, and a second-degree felony applies if a peace officer causes bodily injury or uses a deadly weapon during the offense. The bill does not create new offenses but raises penalties for existing violations under specific circumstances, affecting school administrators, educators, and law enforcement officers. It takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to offenses committed after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 28, 2025

SB 56: Relating to autologous and direct blood donations.

This Texas bill (SB 56) requires blood banks to follow physician orders for patients' own blood donations (autologous or direct donations) and allows blood banks to charge reasonable fees for administrative costs. Hospitals must also permit patients to provide their own blood donations before a scheduled medical procedure when ordered by a physician. The law directly affects blood banks, hospitals, and patients needing blood for upcoming surgeries or treatments. It creates a clear process for patients to donate their own blood in advance, streamlining the system without changing eligibility rules for blood donation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Texas · House Aug 28, 2025

HCR 19: Urging Congress to pass legislation requiring federal agents who are conducting arrests to wear proper uniforms and present identification and prohibiting agents from wearing facial coverings during public-facing enforcement actions.

This Texas concurrent resolution (HCR 19) urges Congress to pass legislation requiring federal agents conducting public arrests to wear visible uniforms, display identification, and avoid facial coverings. It cites concerns about public safety, accountability gaps, and incidents like masked agents at Dodger Stadium as reasons for transparency. The resolution references similar federal bills (e.g., the VISIBLE Act) but does not create new law itself. It directly addresses federal immigration and enforcement agencies' practices, not state-level actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Texas · House Aug 28, 2025

HB 309: Relating to the creation of the Texas Hemp Council; regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and hemp beverages and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; requiring occupational licenses and permits; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; authorizing civil penalties; imposing taxes.

HB 309 creates the Texas Hemp Council to regulate hemp-derived products, including consumables (like gummies) and beverages containing hemp compounds (such as CBD). It directly affects hemp businesses, requiring them to obtain occupational licenses, pay fees, and comply with product safety rules. Key provisions include establishing licensing standards, imposing taxes on hemp products, creating criminal penalties for violations, and authorizing civil fines for non-compliance. The bill aims to standardize oversight of the growing hemp industry while defining specific regulatory requirements for producers and sellers.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 28, 2025

HB 308: Relating to creating the criminal offense of trespass on or near school or day-care center property.

HB 308 creates a new criminal offense for trespassing on or near school or day-care center property. It applies to individuals who enter school property or remain within 250 feet of it if their conduct is disruptive, threatening, or harassing to students, staff, or school operations, and they lack a valid reason (like custody) or written permission from the school. The law requires that the person ignores a reasonable request to leave from school staff before being charged. Violating this law is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine. The bill specifically targets disruptive behavior near schools, not general trespassing.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Education

Jared Patterson (R) · 18 co-sponsors

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 28, 2025

SB 19: Relating to a prohibition on the making and acceptance of political contributions during a special legislative session.

SB 19 prohibits making or accepting political contributions to statewide officeholders, state legislators, or their specific-purpose committees during any special legislative session. The bill requires recipients to refuse and return such contributions within 30 days, with specific rules for mail/delivery timing. Exceptions include contributions intended for elections held during the session period, election contests, or by defeated officeholders. This change applies only to contributions made on or after the bill's effective date.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 27, 2025

HB 302: Relating to establishment of maximum allowable ground level concentrations of hydrogen sulfide by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

HB 302 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish legally enforceable limits for hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the air. It sets a 0.04 parts per million (ppm) maximum for areas used for homes, recreation, business, or shopping, and 0.06 ppm for agricultural or other non-residential areas. The TCEQ must review health studies every five years and adopt these rules by December 1, 2026. This directly affects communities near industrial sources of H₂S emissions, such as oil and gas facilities, by creating specific, measurable air quality standards.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results