HB 210 amends Texas law to clarify what qualifies as a "residence homestead" for tax exemption purposes, directly affecting totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The bill adds two specific provisions to the definition: (1) personal property (like furniture or appliances) located at the claimed residence and used as the primary home, and (2) residential structures (such as garages or sheds) at the same address with identical ownership and primary residential use. These changes ensure veterans and their families can claim tax exemptions for a broader range of property tied to their primary residence. The updated definition applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.
HB 122 eliminates certain state-mandated assessment requirements that exceed federal education law. It removes Texas-specific testing mandates for subjects like social studies (grade 8) and end-of-course exams (e.g., Algebra I, English I, English II) that aren't required by federal law. The bill amends education code to ensure only assessments necessary for federal compliance (like the Every Student Succeeds Act) remain mandatory. This directly affects Texas public schools and students by reducing testing burdens in non-federally required subjects. The key change is aligning state assessment requirements strictly with federal minimums.
This bill changes the interest rate applied to property tax deferrals for qualifying primary residences (homesteads). It sets the interest rate during deferral to the lower of 5% or the 5-year Treasury rate (reported by the Federal Reserve), replacing the previous tax code rate. Homeowners who qualify for tax deferral will pay less interest under this change, though interest accrued before filing the deferral request remains preserved. The law takes effect December 1, 2025.
HB 190 requires Texas local governments to adopt comprehensive disaster recovery plans that specifically address the needs of vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, the homeless, and low-income households. It mandates a state-developed model guide for local officials covering debris removal, federal funding access, housing coordination, and volunteer organization partnerships. The bill also adds specific requirements for inclusive disaster operations, such as disability-focused emergency notifications, shelter health standards, and integrated planning with facilities serving disabled individuals. These changes apply directly to city and county emergency management officials and state agencies managing disaster response. The bill amends sections of the Government Code related to emergency planning and recovery procedures.
HB 125 amends Texas law to define which counties must follow existing stormwater management regulations under Chapter 573 of the Local Government Code. It applies specifically to: counties with 2.8 million+ residents; districts coterminous with such counties that provide stormwater services; counties over 1.3 million with aquifer-based drinking water; or counties with 800,000+ residents containing part of the Edwards Aquifer or within the Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area. The bill does not create new regulations but specifies the geographic and demographic criteria for which jurisdictions fall under the current stormwater management chapter. This change affects county governments and water authorities in those designated areas.
HB 174 prohibits lobbyists from representing both a local government that imposes taxes (such as a city or county) and a private business or individual. The law specifically bans lobbyists from having dual representation for these conflicting interests under new contracts entered after the bill's effective date. This change applies only to political subdivisions with tax authority, not all local governments. The bill takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.
HB 226 requires youth camp operators in Texas to provide each camper with an active radio frequency identification (RFID) tag capable of tracking location if a camper goes missing or during severe weather/disasters. The bill directly affects youth camp operators and requires them to obtain written consent from a camper’s parent or legal guardian before issuing a tag. Key provisions include mandating the tags for emergency location tracking, prohibiting their use without parental consent, and directing the health commissioner to adopt implementing rules. The bill does not require ongoing tracking but only activates the tag during specific emergency scenarios.
HB 64 creates a rule that Texas state senators and representatives lose their seats if absent from all legislative proceedings without approved leave for seven consecutive days when their house is in session. This provision directly affects legislators who miss sessions without permission, triggering an immediate vacancy. The bill specifies that the absence must occur during days the house is meeting, not just calendar days. It would take effect immediately if passed with a two-thirds vote, otherwise 91 days after the legislative session ends.
HB 92 proposes replacing certain existing state and local taxes - including school district property taxes - with a new 6.72% state value added tax (VAT) on business transactions. The bill directly affects businesses selling goods or services in Texas, requiring them to pay tax on their sales (output tax) minus tax paid on their purchases (input tax), with exemptions for small businesses, government entities, and nonprofits. Key provisions include excluding financial services, intercompany transactions, and federally prohibited items from the tax, while directing all revenue to the state general fund. This reform aims to overhaul school finance by shifting revenue sources, though it does not specify how school funding will be adjusted.
HB 236 creates an affirmative defense for individuals prosecuted under certain laws if they were victims of human trafficking or compelled prostitution. It applies when a person engaged in criminal conduct (like prostitution or other offenses) directly because they were subjected to force, fraud, or coercion by traffickers, and would not have committed the act otherwise. The defense requires showing the conduct was compelled by such means, that a reasonable person in similar circumstances would have been compelled, and that the person wasn’t merely offered an opportunity without coercion. This applies to prosecutions for offenses under Sections 20A.02 (human trafficking) or 43.05 (prostitution) but excludes specific offenses listed in state law. The bill affects individuals prosecuted for crimes committed while trafficked, shifting legal focus to their victim status during prosecution.
HB 228 prohibits state-funded entities from using public money for lobbying activities. It directly affects local governments and private organizations that receive state funds, banning them from paying for: (1) their own lobbying expenses, (2) registered lobbyists, (3) related entities of registered lobbyists, or (4) firms hired to influence legislation or policy. The bill amends Texas Government Code Section 556.0055 to enforce these restrictions, applying to expenditures made on or after its effective date. This policy change clarifies that state funds cannot support efforts to sway government decisions.
HB 77 creates a statewide 6.72% value-added tax (VAT) on business transactions in Texas, replacing certain existing local property taxes for school districts. It directly affects businesses (including small businesses, which are exempt), school districts (through the repeal of some local property taxes), and taxpayers who supply goods or services. The bill calculates tax as the difference between "output tax" (tax on sales) and "input tax" (tax paid on business purchases), with exemptions for governments, nonprofits, and specific services like financial transactions. This tax would fund school finance reforms while modifying how local and state taxes are collected.
