Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3824: Relating to fire safety standards and emergency operations plans for the operation of battery energy storage facilities; providing administrative penalties.

HB 3824 establishes fire safety standards and emergency plans for battery energy storage facilities in Texas, directly affecting companies operating these facilities with a capacity of 1 megawatt-hour or greater that begin operations on or after January 1, 2027. The bill requires the Insurance Commissioner to adopt fire safety rules based on nationally recognized standards like UL 9540A and NFPA 855, with periodic updates to reflect changes in those standards. Facilities must comply with these rules, and the bill includes administrative penalties for non-compliance. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✓ Energy

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5667: Relating to the chairman of the juvenile board of Parker County.

HB 5667 changes the process for selecting the chairman of Parker County's juvenile board by removing the requirement that the chairman must be a judge from the 43rd Judicial District. Instead, the board may now elect any of its members to serve as chairman. This amendment takes effect on September 1, 2025, and directly affects how Parker County's juvenile board appoints its leadership. The bill does not alter the board's duties or responsibilities, only the eligibility criteria for the chairman position.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3732: Relating to compliance by a fire department with certain minimum standards adopted by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.

HB 3732 allows Texas fire departments to request extensions from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection to meet minimum safety standards. Fire departments must provide evidence justifying the extension, and the Commission must grant it if the evidence is sufficient. The Commission must adopt implementing rules by April 1, 2026, and this extension process expires on September 1, 2027. The bill directly affects local fire departments required to comply with state safety standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3133: Relating to user reports of explicit deep fake material on social media platforms.

HB 3133 requires social media platforms operating in Texas to create an easy-to-use complaint system for users reporting explicit deep fake material. The bill defines "explicit deep fake material" as AI-generated content falsely depicting real people in sexual acts or exposing intimate body parts. Platforms must provide clear, plain-language notice about this system and review complaints about such content within 48 hours (excluding weekends). This law directly affects major social media platforms by mandating specific procedures for handling these reports, without requiring content removal.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1629: Relating to fireworks sales to the public by retail fireworks permit holders in certain counties.

HB 1629 changes when retail businesses with fireworks permits can sell fireworks to the public in Texas. It restricts sales to three specific periods: June 24-July 4, December 20-January 1, and May 1-5 only in counties near the Texas-Mexico border (within 100 miles) if the county commissioners court approves. The bill directly affects retail fireworks permit holders, particularly those operating in border counties during the May holiday window. It does not alter the standard summer or holiday sales periods but adds a conditional border exception requiring local approval. The law took effect immediately after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 850: Relating to the payment of certain ad valorem tax refunds.

SB 850 simplifies property tax refunds for Texas homeowners and organizations who qualify for exemptions (like homestead exemptions) but overpaid taxes. It requires tax assessors to automatically recalculate taxes and correct bills if an exemption applies after initial tax calculation, and mandates refunds within 60 days if taxes were already paid. Property owners who paid excess taxes due to later-qualified exemptions no longer need to apply for refunds - they will receive them automatically. The bill directly affects taxpayers who become eligible for exemptions after their tax bill is issued but before payment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4743: Relating to the issuance of a single license for a hospital and a mobile stroke unit of the hospital.

HB 4743 allows hospitals to obtain a single license covering both the main hospital facility and its mobile stroke unit, provided the mobile unit is accredited by a federal health care accreditation organization. This directly affects hospitals operating mobile stroke units that meet specific accreditation standards. The bill streamlines licensing by eliminating the need for separate licenses for the hospital and its mobile unit, while requiring the mobile unit to maintain federal accreditation. This change reduces administrative burden for hospitals without altering medical standards for stroke care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5534: Relating to the electronic posting of notices and agendas for meetings of the commissioners court of a county.

HB 5534 requires Texas counties to post notices and agendas for commissioners court meetings both physically (on a courthouse bulletin board) and electronically. County clerks may now use electronic displays on public county websites instead of physical postings, provided they meet specific location, timing, and accessibility standards. The law applies only to notices required after its effective date (September 1, 2025), leaving pre-existing posting requirements unchanged. This bill directly affects county clerks and commissioners courts by expanding their posting options while maintaining public access requirements. It updates existing local government code provisions to formalize electronic posting as a valid method.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2515: Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 64 in Smith County as the Fire Marshal Jimmy W. Seaton Memorial Highway.

SB 2515 designates a specific segment of State Highway 64 in Smith County - between Loop 323 and the western Smith County line - as the "Fire Marshal Jimmy W. Seaton Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of this highway segment and at appropriate intermediate points. This is a ceremonial designation with no impact on transportation policy, funding, or regulations. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3963: Relating to an early childhood integrated data system.

HB 3963 establishes a new early childhood integrated data system to improve coordination among Texas state agencies serving young children. It requires four key agencies - the Texas Education Agency (TEA), Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Workforce Commission, and Children’s Learning Institute - to share aggregated, non-identifiable data across early childhood programs. The system aims to identify service gaps, align programs, and inform state-level policy decisions to improve outcomes for children and families. All data sharing must comply with privacy and cybersecurity laws, ensuring no personally identifiable information is used. This law, signed by the governor and effective September 1, 2025, directly affects state agencies responsible for early childhood services.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 216: Relating to itemized billing for health care services and supplies provided by health care providers.

HB 216 requires health care providers in Texas to send patients a written, itemized bill within 30 days after receiving final payment from a third party (like insurance). The bill must list each service or supply provided during the visit and can be delivered electronically via a patient portal (with specific steps to verify portal access), by mail, or as a physical copy at the provider's office. Providers must also honor a patient's preferred delivery method if electronic billing isn't feasible. Violations could lead to disciplinary action by licensing authorities, though good-faith mailings that are returned undeliverable or sent to outdated addresses are exempt. The law became effective September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 34: Relating to prohibiting the investment of state money in certain countries and in certain private business entities in those countries.

HB 34 prohibits Texas state investments in countries designated as "countries of concern" (including China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and any country the governor designates) and in private companies operating in those countries that meet specific criteria. It defines "scrutinized companies" as those engaged in certain business activities (like those linked to the Darfur genocide) or meeting other conditions outlined in the bill. The law applies to all state investment entities, requiring them to divest from or avoid purchasing securities in these entities. An exception allows investments in companies excluded by U.S. federal sanctions regimes.

Bill results