Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 12, 2025

SB 4: Relating to the composition of the districts for the election of members of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Texas.

SB 4 establishes new boundaries for Texas' 38 congressional districts, defining which counties and specific subdivisions (like portions of Bowie and Harris counties) belong to each district. It directly affects Texas voters by determining which geographic areas elect representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill specifies exact county compositions and tract details for each district, such as District 1 covering East Texas counties and parts of Bowie County, and District 2 including sections of Harris County. These changes will govern how Texas residents are grouped for congressional elections starting in the next cycle. The bill passed the Texas Senate on August 12, 2025.

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 6, 2025

SB 7: Relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex; authorizing a civil penalty and a private civil right of action.

Texas SB 7, the "Texas Women’s Privacy Act," requires public schools, government buildings, and other facilities operated by political subdivisions or state agencies to designate multiple-occupancy private spaces (like restrooms, locker rooms, and showers) for use solely by individuals based on biological sex. Biological sex is defined by physical characteristics at birth, including chromosomes, sex organs, and an unaltered birth certificate. The law allows limited exceptions for accommodations related to disabilities, children, or elderly individuals, but prohibits facilities from designating spaces for use by individuals of the opposite biological sex. Violations authorize civil penalties and a private right to sue. The bill directly affects public facilities and their access policies for all users.

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 6, 2025

SB 9: Relating to the calculation of the voter-approval tax rate for certain taxing units.

SB 9 amends Texas Tax Code sections to update how local taxing units (like cities, counties, and school districts) calculate voter-approval tax rates when implementing or adjusting sales taxes. It introduces specific formulas that account for new sales tax revenue by adding a "sales tax gain rate" to the calculation, ensuring the voter-approval rate reflects the impact of the new revenue source. The bill differentiates rules based on the taxing unit type, applying multipliers of 1.08 for special districts, 1.035 for small municipalities/counties (<30,000 population), and 1.025 for others. These changes directly affect how local governments determine tax rates that require voter approval when they add or modify sales taxes.

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 6, 2025

SB 15: Relating to recording requirements for certain documents concerning real property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations for those offenses.

This bill (SB 15) claims to address real property recording requirements and create "real property theft" and "real property fraud" offenses, but the actual bill text amends criminal procedure law (Code of Criminal Procedure §12.01) to extend statute-of-limitations periods for specific felony indictments. It lists offenses like murder, sexual assault, trafficking, and tampering with evidence as having "no limitation" for prosecution, but does not create new real property theft or fraud crimes as the title suggests. The bill was reported adversely by the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce (10-0 vote) and did not advance further. The discrepancy between the bill's title and its actual content (criminal procedure amendments) appears to be a mischaracterization in the legislative summary.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 4, 2025

SB 5: Relating to the regulation of certain products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; requiring occupational licenses and registrations; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; authorizing an administrative penalty.

SB 5 regulates hemp-derived consumable products (like edibles, oils, and topicals containing cannabinoids such as CBD) sold in Texas. It requires businesses to obtain occupational licenses, imposes fees, and prohibits sales to anyone under 21. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations and administrative fines, while exempting certain products (like hemp seed oil in food), research activities, low-THC cannabis, and medical prescriptions. These changes directly affect hemp product manufacturers, retailers, and distributors operating in Texas.

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 4, 2025

SB 11: Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.

SB 11 requires Texas law enforcement agencies to report election-related crimes to the attorney general and gives the attorney general exclusive authority to prosecute these offenses. Local prosecutors and law enforcement must share relevant information with the attorney general to assist in these cases, and the attorney general can direct local offices to handle or support prosecutions. The law applies only to election crimes committed after its effective date (91 days after the legislative session). This shifts prosecution responsibility for election law violations from local to state-level authorities.

passed both · Texas · Senate Aug 4, 2025

SCR 1: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, and ending on Monday, August 4, 2025.

This bill (SCR 1) is a procedural resolution granting the Texas legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during a specific six-day period (July 30-August 4, 2025). It directly affects the Texas legislature by allowing both chambers to take a longer break without violating the Texas Constitution’s requirement for mutual consent on extended adjournments. The resolution simply seeks formal approval for this scheduling change and does not create new laws or impact citizens. As a procedural measure, it has no substantive policy effects beyond facilitating the legislature’s calendar.

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 4, 2025

SB 12: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

SB 12 prohibits Texas cities, counties, and other local governments (political subdivisions) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay organizations that primarily represent local governments and employ lobbyists. The bill specifically bans spending on activities like lobbying state legislators, but allows local government employees to provide information to lawmakers or testify without triggering the restriction. Exceptions include associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement officers, and direct advocacy by employees that doesn’t require lobbyist registration. Taxpayers can seek court orders to stop prohibited spending and recover related costs.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · Senate Jul 21, 2025

SR 5: Establishing rules of procedure to be observed by the Senate for the consideration of redistricting during the 89th Legislature.

This Senate Resolution (SR 5) establishes procedural rules for the Texas Senate's redistricting process during the 89th Legislature. It creates a Special Committee on Congressional Redistricting (appointed by the Senate President) to handle redistricting bills, requiring regional public hearings with options for video testimony. The resolution mandates specific advance notice periods for hearings (72 hours for regular sessions, 48 hours for other sessions) and sets guidelines for public participation, including videoconferencing requirements and witness affirmation forms. It does not change redistricting outcomes but governs how the Senate will consider redistricting proposals.

passed · Texas · House Jun 6, 2025

HR 1325: Congratulating Rishi Tirumalasetty of Katy on winning first place at the 2025 Texas State Finals of the National Civics Bee.

This resolution congratulates Rishi Tirumalasetty, a 7th-grade student at Katy Junior High School, on winning first place at the 2025 Texas State Finals of the National Civics Bee. It formally recognizes his achievement in a competition testing knowledge of American history, government, and civic participation. The Texas House of Representatives will provide him with an official copy of the resolution as a gesture of recognition. This is a symbolic resolution with no policy changes or direct impact beyond honoring the student.

passed · Texas · House Jun 3, 2025

HR 1505: Commending Jennifer Teigen Doran and the staff of the House Journal Clerk's Office for their service during the 89th Legislative Session.

This resolution commends Jennifer Teigen Doran and the House Journal Clerk's Office staff for maintaining legislative records, voting systems, and daily journal publications during Texas' 89th Legislative Session. It formally recognizes their work through a House resolution adopted on June 2, 2025. As a commemorative measure with no legislative effect, it expresses appreciation but does not create new policy or affect any stakeholders.

passed · Texas · House Jun 3, 2025

HR 1502: Commending the staff of the Texas Legislative Council for its work during the 89th Legislative Session.

HR 1502 is a ceremonial resolution adopted by the Texas House of Representatives to commend the staff of the Texas Legislative Council for their work during the 89th Legislative Session (2025). It specifically recognizes the contributions of the council's leadership - including Executive Director Jeff Archer and Assistant Executive Director Kimberly Shields - as well as staff across its five divisions (information systems, legal, research, document production, and administration). The resolution highlights their roles in supporting legislative operations, such as drafting bills, providing research, maintaining technical infrastructure, and processing documents. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy impact and solely serves to formally acknowledge the staff's service. The House adopted it on June 2, 2025, with no recorded opposition.

Bill results