HB 2282 increases the reimbursement fee for peace officers executing or processing arrest warrants, capias, or capias pro fine from $50 to $75 for defendants convicted of felonies or misdemeanors. The fee applies to either the law enforcement agency that executed the warrant (if requested within 15 days of execution) or the agency that processed it (if the warrant wasn't executed or the executing agency missed the deadline). This change only affects fees for offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses still subject to the $50 fee under previous law. The bill modifies Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Section 102.011(a) and takes effect on September 1, 2025.
SB 1589 requires contracts between single-source continuum contractors and Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to include specific provisions for community-based care services. The bill mandates contractors to establish timelines for implementing case management and family reunification services, create standardized training for alternative caregivers, maintain diverse foster care provider networks, and engage local stakeholders. It also allows DFPS to conduct performance reviews after 18 months, imposing financial penalties for unmet goals or offering incentives for exceeding them. This law directly affects contractors providing child welfare services, DFPS, and the children/families in their catchment areas, effective September 1, 2025.
HB 3848 allows elevator, escalator, and related equipment inspection companies to submit inspection reports and fees electronically to the Texas Department of Health and Safety. The bill amends state law to include electronic submission as a valid filing method, alongside traditional options like mail or in-person delivery. It specifies that electronic submissions are considered filed on the date they are transmitted through the department's designated system, simplifying the process for businesses. This change, effective September 1, 2025, directly affects inspection service providers required to file these reports and fees with the state.
SB 127 makes failure to report child abuse or neglect by mandated professionals (like teachers, healthcare workers, and social workers) a felony with no time limit for prosecution. This means prosecutors can file charges at any time for those who fail to report suspected abuse, removing previous deadlines. The bill also aligns this change with other serious felony offenses that have no statute of limitations. It directly affects professionals legally required to report child abuse under Texas law.
HB 2712 establishes new rules for how Texas water and sewer utilities select the "test year" used to calculate rate changes. It requires utilities to choose a 12-month period that includes past, future, or combined data, starts on a calendar/fiscal quarter, and fits within specific timing windows (18 months before to 18 months after filing for rate changes). This affects Class A, B, C, and D water and sewer utilities by standardizing the timeframe for rate calculations. The law mandates that regulators base rates on this selected test year to ensure utilities earn a fair return on their investments while maintaining financial stability. The bill became effective September 1, 2025.
HB 3463 amends Texas Penal Code Section 31.04 to change notice requirements for defendants accused of theft of service (like failing to pay for services after receiving them). It requires written notice to be sent via registered mail, commercial delivery, email, or text message to the defendant's contact information listed in agreements or on checks. The bill establishes a presumption that notice was received within two days for some cases and five days for others, affecting how prosecutors must prove notice was delivered. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.
This bill requires Texas law enforcement agencies to report missing children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children within two hours of receiving a report. The law mandates that agencies immediately begin investigations and enter detailed information about the child and any suspected abductor into multiple national and state databases. Police must also electronically share case details with other law enforcement agencies within 200 miles and inform families that their information has been submitted to these systems. These requirements apply to all law enforcement agencies in Texas regardless of where the child went missing. The bill repeals a duplicate provision to avoid redundancy in existing statutes.
SB 1188 requires covered health care entities (like hospitals and practitioners) to store Texas residents' electronic health records physically within the U.S. and restrict access to only authorized personnel for treatment, payment, or operations. It mandates security safeguards to protect record confidentiality and adds a requirement for health care practitioners to include options for recording metabolic health and diet communications related to chronic disease treatment. The bill authorizes civil penalties for non-compliance but does not specify penalty amounts. It became effective September 1, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers and receiving gubernatorial approval.
This bill requires Texas to collect de-identified data on veteran deaths from death certificates and submit it to the Texas Veterans Commission. Specifically, it mandates that the state registrar provide details like age, race, cause of death (if suicide or homicide), and occupation, but not medical history unless available. The commission must then produce annual reports by December 1 each year, containing aggregated data, analysis, and policy recommendations for veterans' affairs committees. The first report is due December 1, 2027, with annual reports starting in 2026. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.
SB 2148 requires Texas electricity providers in the ERCOT region to conduct annual simulated or tabletop exercises for load shedding during summer and winter months, plus additional exercises every two years focused on preparing for physical attacks on critical infrastructure like substations and control centers. It mandates that transmission, distribution, and generation providers coordinate with law enforcement and the independent grid operator to define roles during attacks, and submit written attestations confirming this coordination. The bill affects all major electricity service providers in Texas’ ERCOT power region, requiring them to participate in these drills. The first full implementation must occur by December 31, 2026, as specified in the bill’s timeline. These exercises aim to improve grid resilience by ensuring clear protocols for critical infrastructure threats.
HB 2035 requires chemical dependency treatment facilities in Texas to provide written notice to a minor's parent, managing conservator, or guardian when refusing voluntary admission for treatment. The notice must inform them of their right to seek voluntary treatment at another facility. This law directly affects minors seeking chemical dependency treatment and their legal guardians, ensuring families are informed about alternative care options when a facility declines admission. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code and takes effect September 1, 2025.
HB 1902 creates a new criminal offense called "jugging" in Texas law. It prohibits a person from knowingly traveling along the same path as another individual near a business or financial institution (without significantly changing direction) while carrying two or more tools commonly used for crimes, with the intent to steal money. This offense is classified as a state jail felony, escalating to a third-degree felony if combined with robbery or a first-degree felony if combined with theft. The law, effective September 1, 2025, directly targets individuals engaging in this specific pattern of behavior near money-handling locations.
