SB 890 modifies Texas law to exempt certain active and retired judicial officers from needing a standard handgun license. It defines "active judicial officer" to include state court judges (at all levels), resident federal judges, and associate judges, and "retired judicial officer" to include senior judges, designated judicial officers, and retired federal judges. The exemption applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses governed by existing law. This policy change removes a licensing requirement specifically for these judicial roles under current Texas law.
HB 4463 amends Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code provisions to clarify and expand authorized activities for brewer's and nonresident brewer's license holders. It specifically allows brewers to enter into contract brewing agreements or alternating brewery proprietorships (shared facility arrangements), requiring all parties to hold valid licenses and meet bonding requirements. The bill also authorizes future fee increases for these licenses but does not specify new fee amounts. This affects Texas-based breweries and out-of-state breweries selling malt beverages in Texas, streamlining their operational flexibility while maintaining regulatory oversight. The bill was enacted on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.
SB 790 creates a simplified complaint process for tenants disputing water or wastewater bills from property owners in Texas. It allows the Public Utility Commission of Texas to establish a streamlined procedure to resolve these complaints, exempting it from standard administrative rules in the Government Code. The bill directly affects tenants filing complaints and property owners receiving them. It takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025. This is a procedural change to improve efficiency in handling specific utility billing disputes.
SB 535 restricts the use of evidence about a victim's past sexual behavior in criminal trials for specific offenses, including sexual assault (Penal Code §22.011), trafficking (§20A.02), indecency with a child (§21.11), and related cases. The bill generally prohibits such evidence - whether as reputation, opinion, or specific instances - unless a court holds a private hearing (in camera) and determines it meets narrow exceptions, like proving consent or rebutting medical evidence. Courts must seal records of these private hearings to protect victims' privacy. This law applies to cases under Texas Penal Code sections 20A.02, 20A.03, 21.02, 21.11, 22.011, and 22.021. It became effective September 1, 2025.
HB 5654 creates Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 263, a new entity to provide water, sewer, and other utility services in a designated area of Montgomery County. The bill grants the district limited authority to take private property (eminent domain) for infrastructure, issue bonds for funding, and impose property assessments, fees, and taxes to cover costs. This directly affects property owners within the district's boundaries, who will be subject to these new financial obligations. The bill was signed into law in June 2025 and takes effect January 1, 2026.
SB 1259 updates Texas regulations for land surveyors by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, directly affecting individuals seeking surveyor-in-training certificates or registered professional land surveyor licenses. Key provisions require the board to issue written advisory opinions on legal interpretations of surveying laws and mandate that the advisory committee publicly document meeting discussions and decisions. The bill revises educational and experience requirements for certification, such as specifying that surveyor-in-training applicants must now complete 32 semester hours in surveying-related courses (e.g., land surveying, mathematics, or land law) plus 1-4 years of supervised experience, with multiple pathways including degrees, coursework, or self-education. It also clarifies that registered surveyors must hold a surveyor-in-training certificate, pass exams, and have a degree with 32 hours in designated surveying subjects.
SB 2965 (effective September 1, 2025) clarifies the process when a municipality annexes territory from an emergency services district. It requires the municipality to send written notice to the district board within 30 days of annexation, including a service plan if needed. The district board must then approve or disapprove the removal within 30 days; failure to act means the territory is automatically removed. This affects municipalities annexing territory and emergency services districts losing territory, ensuring the municipality can provide equal or better emergency services before the territory leaves the district.
HB 2037 modifies Texas tenant-landlord laws to clarify repair processes and notice requirements for residential and manufactured home tenants. It requires tenants to use independent contractors (listed in local directories or classified ads) for repairs after submitting a "notice of intent to repair," rather than performing repairs themselves or using family, employers, or businesses they own. The bill also adds new provisions allowing landlords and tenants to send required notices via email if they previously communicated that way, and designates property managers as official agents for delivery of such notices. These changes directly affect tenants seeking repairs and landlords handling security deposits and communication.
SB 413 requires independent school districts in Texas to document each board member's attendance, absence, and vote on every item during meetings. It mandates that school boards post meeting minutes and adopted resolutions on their websites within seven days of the meeting. The bill also requires all board meetings to be recorded and made publicly accessible per state transparency laws. These changes directly affect school board trustees and district administrators by increasing meeting transparency for parents and community members. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.
HB 4690 updates Texas motor fuel regulations to align with current industry standards. It requires fuel quality standards to match the latest ASTM International specifications (D4814) for gasoline and ethanol blends sold in Texas, and mandates that fuel metering tolerances follow National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommendations. The bill also standardizes testing procedures for fuel quality, requiring compliance with ASTM standards for sampling, handling, and verification. These changes directly affect gas stations, fuel distributors, and testing agencies operating in Texas by establishing uniform quality and measurement requirements.
HB 3424 modifies Texas property tax rules for heavy equipment dealers. It requires dealers to calculate a property tax on each item sold, leased, or rented by multiplying the sales price or monthly rental amount by a set tax factor. Dealers must collect this tax from buyers or renters, deposit it monthly into a special account, and report it quarterly using a state-formatted statement. This applies directly to businesses that sell or lease heavy equipment like construction or agricultural machinery.
HB 2286 requires certain interior designers who obtained certification without taking the registration exam to pass the exam by September 1, 2027, to renew their license after that date. It directly affects interior designers holding certificates issued under Chapter 1053 without examination. The bill amends the Occupations Code to mandate this exam requirement for renewal eligibility, with the provision set to expire on January 1, 2029. This creates a clear deadline for affected professionals to meet the new standard before their licenses can be renewed.
