Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 98: Relating to the repeal of or limitations on certain state and local taxes, including school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes, the enactment of state and local value added taxes, and related school finance reform; imposing taxes.

HB 98 would establish a 6.72% state value-added tax (VAT) on businesses selling goods or services in Texas, replacing certain existing local taxes like school district property taxes. Businesses would pay tax only on the "value added" to their products or services - subtracting taxes paid on business inputs from taxes collected on sales. The bill exempts small businesses, government entities, and nonprofits from the tax, while excluding financial services and other specified transactions. This VAT would fund school finance reform by replacing some local school district taxes with a new statewide revenue stream.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 266: Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue derived from a hotel and convention center project.

This bill allows certain Texas municipalities to use hotel and convention tax revenue for convention center projects by clarifying which cities qualify under existing tax law. It amends the Tax Code to specifically list 17 categories of eligible municipalities, such as cities with populations over 95,000 in counties bordering Lake Palestine or containing specific landmarks like the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. The bill does not create new taxes but defines which existing tax revenue streams can be directed toward convention center development. It applies only to cities meeting one of the 17 detailed population or geographic criteria outlined in the legislation.

in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HJR 13: Proposing a constitutional amendment specifying the authority of the attorney general to prosecute a criminal offense prescribed by the election laws of this state.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify that Texas's Attorney General can prosecute election-related criminal offenses alongside local district attorneys. It amends Article IV, Section 22 of the Texas Constitution to explicitly grant the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction with county/district attorneys for enforcing election laws. The amendment does not create new laws but specifies existing prosecutorial authority for election crimes. If approved by voters in the May 2026 election, it would change how election law violations are handled in criminal cases.

in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 19: Relating to real property theft and real property fraud; establishing 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, restitution, and certain procedures with respect to those offenses.

HB 19 creates new criminal offenses for real estate theft and fraud, targeting individuals who unlawfully take or defraud others of land or buildings. The bill requires certain real estate documents to be recorded in public records to prevent fraud and create transparent ownership histories. It establishes a statute of limitations for these offenses, mandates restitution for victims, and outlines procedures for prosecution. This bill directly affects property owners, real estate professionals, and law enforcement by introducing new legal tools to address property-related fraud.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HJR 17: Proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish ad valorem taxes.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to ban most property taxes based on property value (ad valorem taxes) in Texas by 2030. It would prevent cities, counties, and other local governments from imposing these taxes after January 1, 2030, except for a limited exception: they could still use such taxes solely to repay bonds issued before that date. The amendment requires voter approval in a May 2026 election, with the ballot asking voters to approve "the constitutional amendment to abolish ad valorem taxes." This change would directly affect all Texas local governments that currently rely on property taxes for funding.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Housing

in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 185: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

HB 185 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that primarily represent political subdivisions and employ registered lobbyists. The bill specifically bans spending on: (1) hiring individuals required to register as lobbyists under Texas law, or (2) funding nonprofits that hire such lobbyists. Taxpayers or residents can sue to stop prohibited spending and recover attorney fees if they win the case. This directly affects local governments' ability to use taxpayer money for lobbying efforts targeting state legislation.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 20, 2025

SB 13: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

This bill prohibits cities, counties, and other local governments (political subdivisions) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofit organizations that primarily represent local governments and hire lobbyists. It allows local officials to provide information to legislators, testify, or advocate for policy changes without triggering the restriction, and exempts associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement officers. Taxpayers can seek court orders to stop prohibited spending and recover public funds used in violation. The law aims to limit the use of public money for lobbying activities while preserving basic communication with lawmakers.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

passed · Texas · Senate Aug 20, 2025

SB 6: 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.

Texas Senate Bill 6 regulates consumable hemp products (like edibles, vape liquids, and topicals containing hemp-derived cannabinoids such as CBD) by requiring businesses to obtain occupational licenses and registrations. It imposes fees for these licenses, creates criminal penalties for violations, and authorizes administrative fines for noncompliance. The law specifically applies to products intended for human ingestion, absorption, or inhalation, while excluding low-THC cannabis, research activities, and certain food ingredients like hemp seed oil. Businesses manufacturing or selling these products must comply with the new licensing and fee structure under the Health and Safety Code.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 19, 2025

HJR 22: Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing the Texas Redistricting Commission to redistrict the United States House of Representatives and the Texas Legislature.

HJR 22 proposes a constitutional amendment to replace Texas' current Legislative Redistricting Board with a new Texas Redistricting Commission. The commission would be responsible for redistricting Texas' U.S. House of Representatives seats and both chambers of the Texas Legislature, taking effect January 1, 2030. The bill specifies that the commission must create redistricting plans following the federal census, with its first meeting scheduled for early 2031. This change would abolish the existing redistricting board and require voter approval through a May 2026 election.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 19, 2025

HB 241: Relating to the establishment of the Texas Redistricting Commission.

HB 241 establishes a nine-member Texas Redistricting Commission to draw election districts for the U.S. House, Texas House, and Texas Senate. The commission replaces the legislature as the sole body responsible for redistricting after each census, with members appointed based on party affiliation (eight members chosen bipartisanship by the legislature) and strict eligibility rules. To serve, members must be Texas voters over 25, avoid holding public office or working on political campaigns, and cannot run for office during or after their term. This bill directly affects all Texas voters by shifting the redistricting process from the legislature to an independent commission with defined membership rules.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 19, 2025

HB 259: Relating to the Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission and the redistricting of the districts used to elect members of the United States House of Representatives, the Texas Legislature, and the State Board of Education.

HB 259 establishes the Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission to redraw Texas districts for the U.S. House of Representatives, Texas Legislature, and State Board of Education following each U.S. census. The Commission, appointed by December 31 of each census year, must draw district boundaries using transparent public processes and specific criteria outlined in the bill. Key definitions like "census year" and "majority party" are established to guide the Commission's work. This bill shifts redistricting responsibility from the Texas Legislature to a citizen-led commission.

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 19, 2025

SB 44: Relating to a study by the Department of Public Safety on emergency alert notification systems in this state.

SB 44 requires the Texas Department of Public Safety to study how well emergency alert systems work across the state. The study will examine communication methods (like phone alerts and road signs), whether alert areas are appropriately sized, whether too many systems exist, and how effectively alerts resolve emergencies. It must be completed by September 2026, with recommendations for potential improvements. This bill directs state agencies to review current systems but does not change alert protocols or funding.

Bill results