Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1234: Relating to certain procedures required for the denial of certain applications for a license to carry a handgun.

HB 1234 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to provide applicants with written notice of a potential denial and a 30-day period to submit additional information before denying a handgun carry license application when a medical advisory board has indicated the applicant may be unable to exercise sound judgment regarding handgun use and storage. The bill applies only to applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affects individuals whose applications are flagged by the medical advisory board under the Health and Safety Code. Key provisions include mandating the department to forward applicant materials to the full medical advisory board for review and requiring the board to submit written reports on the applicant's judgment before the department makes a final licensing decision.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 457: Relating to the regulation of certain nursing facilities, including licensing requirements and Medicaid participation and reimbursement requirements.

This bill modifies Texas Medicaid payment rules for nursing facilities. It requires Medicaid to pay facilities within 10 days of a clean claim submission, enforces a patient care expense ratio, and mandates reductions in preventable events and unnecessary institutionalizations. Nursing facilities must comply with these standards to maintain Medicaid participation, while Medicaid managed care organizations must provide discharge planning, assist with income collection, and offer payment incentives for cost-reducing initiatives. A new claims portal system is also established for submitting claims to Medicaid managed care organizations. The bill directly affects nursing facilities receiving Medicaid payments and the managed care organizations administering those programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4238: Relating to the collection of consumer debt incurred by certain individuals as a result of identity theft.

HB 4238 prevents creditors and debt collectors from attempting to collect debts from individuals who are victims of identity theft, as verified by a court order. It requires these entities to stop collection efforts within seven business days of receiving proof of identity theft, stop reporting the debt to credit bureaus, and not sell the debt to third parties. The law does not apply to home loans or existing court judgments. This directly affects identity theft victims (who can halt debt collection) and debt collectors (who must comply with these restrictions), effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2237: Relating to severance pay for certain political subdivision employees.

SB 2237 (Local Government Code §180.011) limits severance pay for executive employees of Texas local governments (including city managers, department heads, and school superintendents). It caps severance pay from tax revenue at 20 weeks' salary (excluding PTO/vacation) and prohibits severance if an employee is terminated for misconduct (including criminal conduct). All severance agreements must be posted online by the local government, and new agreements or disputes after September 1, 2025, must comply. This bill directly affects executive-level employees in cities, counties, school districts, and charter schools.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1191: Relating to the development of a standard method of computing a student's high school grade point average.

SB 1191 requires the Texas commissioner of education to develop a standardized method for calculating high school grade point averages (GPAs). This method must give equal additional weight to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), OnRamps dual enrollment, and dual credit courses. Texas public school districts must use this standard method when calculating students' GPAs, affecting all high school students in the state. The bill became effective immediately on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1494: Relating to the authority of certain political subdivisions to change the date of their general elections.

SB 1494 allows certain local governments - specifically non-county political subdivisions and non-municipal utility districts - to switch their general election dates to the statewide November election date by December 31, 2026. It amends the Election Code to grant these entities the authority to align their election schedules with the uniform statewide election cycle. The bill does not apply to counties or municipal utility districts, which already follow the November election date. This change takes effect immediately after receiving the required two-thirds legislative vote, as confirmed by the bill's passage and gubernatorial signing on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1973: Relating to proof of the identity of a child's parents in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.

HB 1973 requires individuals filing family court cases involving parent-child relationships (like custody or adoption) to submit a certified copy of a child's birth certificate if available. If the birth certificate doesn't list both parents or isn't accessible, courts can request alternative proof from any party and must keep all submitted documents sealed for privacy. The bill exempts child support enforcement agencies (Title IV-D) from submitting birth certificates or related proof in their cases. This law applies to cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, and is now effective after being signed by the governor.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2443: Relating to electronic delivery of documents sent or received by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

SB 2443 requires the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to deliver most official documents electronically - such as notices, orders, and correspondence - to license applicants and holders, replacing paper mail. TDLR may mandate individuals provide email addresses for communications, with those addresses kept confidential and exempt from public disclosure under state law. The bill repeals outdated provisions about document delivery and takes effect September 1, 2025, standardizing electronic communication for all TDLR regulatory processes. This change directly affects anyone interacting with TDLR for licensing, renewals, or compliance matters.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4285: Relating to the storage of alcoholic beverages by the holder of a passenger transportation permit.

HB 4285 allows airlines and other passenger transportation permit holders to sell or serve alcoholic beverages on commercial flights - even when crossing areas where alcohol sales are prohibited - without violating local laws. It also permits these permit holders to store sealed alcoholic beverages at airports they regularly serve or within five miles of such airports in the same county, following commission rules. The bill directly affects airlines and transportation companies holding passenger transportation permits under Texas law. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and modifies Section 48.03(b) of the Alcoholic Beverage Code to enable these changes.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 824: Relating to the inclusion of civics instruction in public school government curriculum requirements for high school students.

HB 824 requires Texas public high schools to include specific civics content in their government curriculum starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates that the State Board of Education adopt standards covering the roles of elected officials (statewide, county, city), Texas voting processes and election laws, eligibility requirements for office, basic parliamentary procedures, and identifying local representatives. This directly affects all Texas public high school students and educators implementing the social studies curriculum. The bill became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4638: Relating to the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative.

HB 4638 amends Texas law to govern the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative by increasing its governing board from three to five members appointed by the governor, with staggered six-year terms. The bill requires the board to submit an annual business plan by June 1 each even-numbered year, detailing implementation strategies for pharmacy benefit services, drug distribution networks, and advanced pharmaceutical services like generic drug manufacturing and gene therapies. The plan must also outline cost-saving measures, resource needs, conflict-of-interest procedures, and participation requirements for state health plans. This law, effective September 1, 2025, establishes the administrative framework for the initiative but does not directly alter healthcare access or costs for residents.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1862: Relating to interstate notification by the voter registrar of certain applicants for voter registration.

SB 1862 requires Texas voter registrars to collect and report specific information when applicants list a previous out-of-state residence on their voter registration forms. It directly affects voters who recently moved to Texas from another state and applied for registration. The bill mandates registrars to document the applicant’s full legal name, date of birth, current Texas address, and previous out-of-state address, then compile this into a monthly report submitted to the Texas Secretary of State. This creates a standardized process for tracking interstate voter registration moves without altering voter eligibility requirements. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Bill results