SB 45 allows Texas counties to establish drainage utilities for unincorporated areas, impose drainage fees on new development to fund flood control infrastructure, and adopt land use regulations for flood management. Key provisions include setting impervious cover limits (without banning all development in floodplains), requiring setback standards, and permitting landscaping rules. Municipal ordinances take precedence over county regulations for the same conduct, and drainage utility service areas cannot include municipal extraterritorial jurisdictions. This bill directly affects counties managing flood risks, land developers in unincorporated areas, and residents who may face new drainage fees or land use requirements.
HB 257 allows Texas municipalities and counties to operate emergency warning systems by voluntarily collecting residents' contact information through driver's license applications. Residents applying for or renewing a driver's license can choose to consent to sharing their contact details (phone, email, address) with local emergency systems, with the option to receive alerts in English or Spanish. Political subdivisions must contract with the Department of Public Safety to access this information, and residents can later request removal from the system via written or text message. The bill directly affects drivers applying for licenses and local governments operating emergency warning systems.
HB 256 requires 13 specific Texas state agencies - including the Department of Agriculture, Public Safety, Health and Human Services, and the Public Utility Commission - to develop and publish severe weather adaptation plans every even-numbered year by September 1. Each plan must include a vulnerability assessment, analysis of budget impacts over 2/5/10 years, funding sources, and a strategy for monitoring weather effects. Agencies must post these plans on public websites and submit copies to the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislative leaders. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for emergency management, infrastructure, and public safety, mandating science-based planning to prepare for severe weather events.
HB 255 creates five new judicial districts (513th through 517th) entirely within Harris County, Texas. The 513th, 514th, and 515th districts take effect January 1, 2026, while the 516th and 517th districts begin October 1, 2026. This bill adds specific sections to the Texas Government Code to formally define these districts as composed solely of Harris County. It is a procedural change that does not alter court procedures, jurisdiction, or substantive law.
HB 261 limits annual increases in the tax assessment value for commercial properties under $10 million in market value. It restricts how much a property's appraised value can rise each year to either the prior year's market value or a formula (20% of last year's appraised value plus last year's value plus new improvements). This applies to properties held for income production and takes effect January 1, 2027, for tax years following that date. The bill excludes properties appraised under specific subchapters of the tax code.
This constitutional amendment proposal would allow Texas lawmakers to cap the taxable value of commercial properties for property tax purposes. Specifically, it would authorize the legislature to limit a property's appraised value to either 110% (or a higher percentage) of its previous year's appraised value or its current market value - whichever is lower. The cap would apply only to properties meeting legislative definitions and eligibility criteria, such as having a market value below a specified threshold. The amendment requires voter approval in a 2026 election before taking effect.
HB 260 limits annual increases in the appraised value used for property taxes on certain commercial real estate. It applies to commercial properties (defined as property held for income production) with a market value of $10 million or less, excluding properties covered under specific tax subchapters. The bill caps annual value increases at the lesser of: (1) the prior year's market value, or (2) 10% of the prior year's appraised value plus the prior year's appraised value plus the value of new improvements. This limitation takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027, and requires appraisers to separately record both the market value and the capped value.
HJR 28 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas lawmakers to cap the taxable value of certain commercial properties. It would let the legislature limit a property’s appraised value for property taxes to 120% (or a higher percentage set by law) of its prior year’s value, but only for properties meeting specific definitions and market value thresholds. This cap would apply only to commercial real estate owners who qualify under future laws defining "commercial property" and meeting eligibility rules. The amendment requires voter approval in 2026 and would expire if a property changes ownership or no longer qualifies as commercial.
HJR 26 proposes a constitutional amendment to create an Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission that would redraw Texas legislative, congressional, and State Board of Education districts following each U.S. census. The Commission, composed of 14 members including five from the majority party (as defined by the bill), must be appointed by December 31 of the census year and will conduct a transparent, public process for drawing district lines. It must follow specific criteria to ensure fairness, representation, and independence from legislative influence, shifting redistricting authority from the Texas Legislature to this independent body. This change aims to make redistricting more impartial while maintaining single-member district requirements for all affected offices.
This concurrent resolution (HCR 11) urges the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to expedite approval of FEMA flood mitigation funding applications in Texas. It specifically references two stalled projects - the Combes Lateral Drainage Improvement (submitted February 2024) and North Main Drainage Improvement (submitted April 2025) - which remain pending at DHS despite meeting federal requirements. The resolution does not change laws but formally requests faster federal processing to protect communities in flood-prone areas. It is a non-binding request directed to DHS and FEMA, not a legislative mandate.
HCR 12 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) that requests the U.S. Department of Justice release all available documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's case. It directly addresses the federal government, specifically asking the DOJ to make these files publicly accessible. The resolution does not create new legal requirements or affect any specific individuals or groups. As a non-binding request, it has no legal force but aims to increase transparency around the Epstein investigation. This is a procedural measure focused on document disclosure, not policy change.
SB 46 authorizes sheriffs and constables in Texas counties with over 3.3 million residents to directly contract with local governments, property owners' associations, or landowners for law enforcement services. These contracts must cover specific areas managed by the contracting entity or owned by the landowner and serve residents and visitors in those areas. The bill prohibits county commissioners courts from blocking such contracts or dictating their terms, giving sheriffs and constables full authority to negotiate agreements without approval. This applies only to Texas's largest counties, including Harris, Dallas, and Tarrant.
