Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1019: Relating to the admissibility of certain hearsay statements in the adjudication of certain sexual or assaultive offenses committed against a child or a person with a disability.

SB 1019 updates victim definitions in juvenile court cases involving sexual or assaultive offenses against children or people with disabilities. It lowers the age threshold for children covered from 18 to 12 years old and expands protections to include "persons with a disability" as defined by Penal Code Section 22.04 (those 13+ unable to protect themselves due to age or disability). The bill amends Family Code Section 54.031 to apply these definitions to cases under specific Penal Code sections (e.g., sexual offenses, trafficking, or assault). This change applies only to juvenile court cases beginning on or after September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 857: Relating to the authorized removal of certain motor vehicles.

SB 857 amends Texas law to clarify when police officers or transportation inspectors can remove certain vehicles from highways. It authorizes removal if a vehicle is unattended on bridges/tunnels blocking traffic, unlawfully parked blocking driveways, reported stolen, abandoned over 48 hours, disabled with no owner present, or posing a hazard during emergencies. The bill directly affects vehicle owners (especially those with abandoned or disabled vehicles), law enforcement, and towing/storage companies by expanding existing removal authority. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with no new penalties or fees added.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1851: Relating to the disposition of certain surplus motor vehicles and other law enforcement equipment by the Texas Facilities Commission to certain school districts.

HB 1851 allows the Texas Facilities Commission to transfer surplus motor vehicles and law enforcement equipment from the Texas Department of Public Safety to school districts located in economically disadvantaged areas. The bill requires that school districts receiving this equipment cannot sell it for two years and must use it solely for law enforcement duties by school resource officers or security personnel, as defined in the Education Code. This policy change directly affects school districts in economically disadvantaged communities by providing them with additional law enforcement resources. The bill took effect on September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 204: Relating to a handbook on parental rights in education and training requirements on parental rights in education for a member of the board of trustees of a school district.

SB 204 requires school board trustees in Texas to complete mandatory training on parental rights in education by April 2026. It also mandates the Texas Education Agency to create and maintain a publicly accessible, plain-language handbook explaining all parental rights regarding their child’s education, including rights parents can enforce for their children. The handbook must be updated annually and available online. This bill directly affects school board members (who must complete the training) and parents (who gain a clear reference for their educational rights). The requirements take effect September 1, 2025, with the handbook and training materials due by January 1, 2026.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 3070: Relating to the abolishment of the Texas Lottery Commission and the transfer of the administration of the state lottery and the licensing and regulation of charitable bingo to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation; creating criminal offenses.

SB 3070 abolishes the Texas Lottery Commission and transfers responsibility for administering the state lottery and regulating charitable bingo to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). This bill directly affects the TDLR, which will now oversee lottery operations and charitable bingo licensing previously managed by the Lottery Commission. Key provisions include amending state code to replace "Texas Lottery Commission" with "Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation" in all relevant sections and adding a limited-scope sunset review for the lottery program. The bill also creates criminal offenses related to lottery activities, though specific details of these offenses are not detailed in the provided text.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2655: Relating to operation by certain nonprofit organizations of certain regional health care programs for employees of small employers.

HB 2655 allows certain nonprofit organizations to operate regional health care programs for employees of small employers without requiring approval from county commissioners courts. These programs must be premium assistance initiatives (not direct health care providers) and aim to reduce uninsured rates, lower health care costs for small businesses, and promote preventive care like managing diabetes or heart disease. The bill amends Texas Health and Safety Code to permit nonprofits to directly govern such programs, replacing the previous requirement for county commissioner court oversight in eligible regions. It directly affects small employers (typically those with fewer than 50 employees) and their workers in participating counties who gain access to these alternative health coverage options starting September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2516: Relating to the eligibility of certain individuals younger than 65 years of age to purchase Medicare supplement benefit plans.

HB 2516, the Chris Larkin ALS Act, requires Texas insurers to offer Medicare supplement plans (Medigap) to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It mandates that these individuals receive the same coverage and premium rates as those 65 and older for standard plans (A, B, D), with non-standard plans capped at 200% of the 65+ rate. The bill creates a six-month enrollment window starting when a qualifying individual first enrolls in Medicare Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage, charge more for health conditions, or impose waiting periods. This law directly affects Texans under 65 with qualifying medical conditions who rely on Medicare, ensuring equitable access to supplemental insurance without medical underwriting. The bill became effective immediately on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3016: Relating to the circumstances in which a rental company may void a damage waiver for a rental vehicle.

HB 3016 restricts when rental companies can void damage waivers for rental vehicles. It prohibits voiding waivers unless damage results from intentional harm, unauthorized use (including by drivers under the influence, committing crimes, or using the vehicle for commercial purposes like carrying passengers for hire), or if the renter provided fraudulent information or failed to report a theft properly. The law applies only to rental agreements entered into on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing agreements. This directly affects renters who might otherwise face unexpected charges and rental companies operating in Texas.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2563: Relating to establishment of the temporary certified and insured prescribed burn manager self-insurance pool; authorizing a fee.

HB 2563 establishes a temporary self-insurance pool for certified and insured prescribed burn managers (CIPBMs) in Texas, administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service. The program provides general liability coverage for CIPBMs conducting prescribed burns, covering minimum required amounts under state law while excluding workers' compensation, auto liability, and professional liability. Participation requires a written application, and coverage is funded solely through a dedicated program fund. This bill directly affects Texas-based CIPBMs by creating a streamlined insurance mechanism for burn-related liability risks.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4623: Relating to liability of public schools and professional school employees for sexual misconduct involving students.

HB 4623 creates new liability standards for Texas public schools and their employees regarding student sexual misconduct. It holds schools financially responsible if they act with gross negligence or intentional misconduct in hiring or supervising employees who commit sexual misconduct against students or fail to report suspected abuse. The law caps damages at $500,000 per victim in successful claims and requires the employee who committed the act to be named as a defendant. This directly affects public school districts, charter schools, and all professional school employees covered by the definition, including teachers, administrators, and even student interns. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 26: Relating to authorizing Medicaid managed care organizations to offer nutrition support services in lieu of other state Medicaid plan services.

HB 26 allows Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) in Texas to offer nutrition counseling and instruction services instead of certain mental health or substance use disorder services covered under the state Medicaid plan. The bill requires contracts between the state and MCOs to include this option, with the state Medicaid advisory committee approving which nutrition services may be substituted (excluding home-delivered meals, food prescriptions, or grocery support). MCOs must provide these nutrition services as an alternative, and the state must annually report on their usage and consider their costs when setting MCO payment rates. This policy directly affects Texas Medicaid beneficiaries who may receive nutrition services in place of other covered services and the MCOs managing their care.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4395: Relating to electronic submission and delivery of public securities and records of proceedings for those securities.

HB 4395 requires issuers of public financial instruments (like bonds) to submit documents such as securities, records of proceedings, or credit agreements to Texas' Attorney General in electronic format with a digital signature, starting January 1, 2026. The Attorney General must then deliver these documents electronically to the Comptroller. This applies only to submissions made on or after the effective date, leaving prior submissions under existing rules. The bill streamlines the submission process but does not change the approval requirements for these financial instruments.

Bill results