HB 112 requires youth camps and campus programs for minors to create emergency response plans meeting specific health and safety standards. Program operators must follow existing emergency planning rules for youth camps (as defined in the Health and Safety Code) and submit these plans for review. The division will assess plans based on disaster response capabilities, communication protocols, risk reduction for campers/facilities, and compliance with established criteria. Plans must address all required components and be revised if the division identifies needed changes within 30 days. This bill directly affects camp and program operators, mandating concrete safety planning for minors' protection.
HB 60 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study ways to streamline the state environmental review process for flood control and drainage projects that qualify for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund (under Water Code Chapter 15). The Board must complete this study by January 1, 2027, and then implement new internal procedures to simplify the review process based on the study’s findings. This bill directly affects projects seeking flood infrastructure funding and aims to reduce delays in environmental reviews for these projects. The law expires September 1, 2027.
HB 173 prohibits school districts and school district employees from using public funds for lobbying activities. The bill specifically bans spending public money to hire registered lobbyists, pay nonprofit organizations that hire lobbyists, or use district resources to directly influence legislation. Taxpayers or residents can seek court injunctions to stop violations and recover attorney fees if they win such cases. This law applies to all public fund expenditures made on or after the bill's effective date.
HB 36 would prohibit retailers from selling, delivering, or giving consumable hemp products (like edibles or beverages) to anyone under 21, and also ban minors from entering stores selling these products or working there. Retailers who sell to minors would face a Class A misdemeanor charge, while minors purchasing these products could be charged with a Class C misdemeanor (except when supervised by police). The bill directly affects hemp product retailers, their employees, and individuals under 21 who might attempt to purchase or work with these products. It creates new criminal penalties for violations but includes a defense if a minor presents valid ID proving they're 21 or older.
HB 155 would create a property tax exemption for the full appraised value of a primary residence (homestead) for two groups: (1) Texas residents aged 72 or older who have held this exemption for at least 10 consecutive years, and (2) surviving spouses aged 55 or older who were living in the same home when their spouse died and qualify under the same age and residency rules. The exemption applies to the total value of the homestead, removing the property tax burden entirely for eligible homeowners. This bill requires voter approval of a related constitutional amendment (H.J.R. 133) to take effect, as specified in Section 2. It does not change existing exemptions for younger homeowners or other property types.
HB 58 requires emergency management coordinators and officers in Texas - including state-level officials and local government personnel with emergency management duties - to complete state-mandated training and maintain credentials. The bill mandates the state division to develop training courses covering the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and related topics, and to establish a credentialing system requiring ongoing education. This continuing education must address areas like disaster coordination, legal updates, mass casualty management, and region-specific hazards, and can be delivered online, in person, or via hybrid formats. However, hands-on skills such as evacuation techniques and rescue coordination must be trained in person.
HB 61 requires Texas to develop a statewide real-time emergency communications platform for use during disasters. It directly affects state agencies (like DPS, Health Services, and Transportation), local governments, first responders, and emergency management entities by mandating their access to this tool. The platform must integrate mapping, alerts, resource tracking, and use plain language while working with existing emergency systems. Agencies must incorporate it into their emergency plans, ensuring all levels of government can communicate efficiently before, during, and after emergencies.
HB 69 establishes the Texas Flash Flood Alley Interoperability Council to improve emergency communication coordination in the Balcones Fault Zone - a flood-prone area including parts of Austin, San Antonio, and surrounding communities. The council will develop strategic plans for compatible communication systems among first responders (police, fire, EMTs), create emergency management guidelines for flooding, and administer grants to help local governments (counties, cities, special districts) purchase interoperable communication equipment. The bill directly affects local governments in the Balcones Fault Zone by providing funding for compatible technology upgrades to enhance emergency response during floods. It does not change existing laws but creates a new council and grant program focused on practical communication infrastructure.
HB 152 creates a study commission to examine alternative tax methods that could replace revenue lost by local governments if ad valorem (property) taxes are abolished. The commission, led by the comptroller and including legislative and public members, will study tax alternatives and report findings by December 1, 2026. This bill does not change tax law but mandates a study to inform future policy decisions. It expires September 1, 2027, after completing its task.
HB 169 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for cannabis in Texas, directly affecting licensed cannabis businesses and adults aged 21+ who purchase cannabis products. The bill requires businesses to obtain occupational licenses for cultivation, processing, and sales, mandates product testing and labeling standards, and imposes a tax on cannabis products. It also creates criminal penalties for unlicensed activities and authorizes local fees for cannabis establishments. Key provisions include regulating all aspects of the cannabis supply chain - from grower to consumer - and defining specific terms like "cannabis concentrate" and "cannabis establishment." The bill does not address medical cannabis use but focuses on commercial regulation and taxation.
HB 94 creates the Texas Division of Emergency Management Hill Country 2025 Flood Response Grant Program to provide funding to local governments (such as cities, counties, and special districts) in Texas. The bill establishes a grant program for local governments to purchase interoperable emergency communication equipment (like radios that work across different agencies), build communication infrastructure, and train staff on its use during emergencies. To qualify, applicants must submit proposals and meet Division-established rules, with grants requiring recipients to adopt standardized incident command procedures. The program is specifically designed to improve coordination among first responders during flood events in the Hill Country region.
HB 56 requires Texas public school districts to develop annual plans focused on improving student performance in reading and math, particularly for third graders. These plans must include specific goals for closing achievement gaps, provide targeted professional development for K-3 teachers at underperforming campuses, and be reviewed annually by school boards. The bill also establishes criteria for a literacy achievement academy, prioritizing teachers at campuses failing to meet reading standards and schools with high percentages of educationally disadvantaged students. Additionally, it mandates that adopted reading and math assessments be based on scientific research and administered at the start and end of the school year.
