Texas Bills

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 18, 2025

SB 41: Relating to the consideration by a groundwater conservation district of modeled available groundwater when issuing permits.

SB 41 amends Texas Water Code §36.1132 to limit groundwater permits. It requires groundwater conservation districts to ensure that no single applicant’s total permitted groundwater production and transfer out of the district exceeds 5% of the district’s modeled available groundwater supply, as determined by the executive administrator. This directly affects groundwater conservation districts and applicants seeking permits for groundwater extraction. The bill applies only to permits issued on or after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · Senate Aug 18, 2025

SB 7: Relating to abortion, including civil liability for the manufacture and provision of abortion-inducing drugs, exemptions from the Texas Citizens Participation Act and Religious Freedom Restoration Act, authorizing civil and qui tam actions, amendments to the fee-shifting statute governing abortion litigation, immunity defenses and limits on state-court jurisdiction and relief, the parens patriae standing of the attorney general, and the jurisdiction of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals; providing for severability.

SB 7 creates civil liability for manufacturers and providers of abortion-inducing drugs, with key exemptions for medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and spontaneous miscarriages. It allows private citizens to file lawsuits (qui tam actions) seeking damages against those supplying such drugs, while modifying fee-shifting rules in abortion litigation. The bill also grants the Texas attorney general expanded authority to pursue cases under the "Woman and Child Protection Act" and alters jurisdiction for related court cases. It does not restrict medical procedures covered by the specified exemptions.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 96: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

HB 96 restricts local governments (like cities and counties) from using public funds to pay for lobbying activities. Specifically, it prohibits spending taxpayer money to hire registered lobbyists for legislative lobbying or to pay nonprofit associations that primarily represent local governments and hire registered lobbyists. The bill allows local government employees to provide information to lawmakers, elected officials to advocate for policies, and reimburses travel expenses for permitted activities. Taxpayers can sue to stop violations and recover legal fees if a local government breaks these rules.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 18, 2025

SB 43: Relating to exceptions to and the repeal of certain laws prohibiting abortion.

Texas Senate Bill 43 creates a new exception to the state's abortion ban for pregnancies resulting from sexual assault (as defined under specific Penal Code sections), without requiring the patient to file a police report, provide forensic evidence, or pursue prosecution. It repeals Chapter 6-1/2 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, which was the primary statute prohibiting abortion, and clarifies that this exception does not repeal other abortion regulations or restrict local governments from imposing stricter abortion bans. The bill exempts abortions performed under this exception from certain reporting requirements under Sections 171.203 and 171.204. This directly affects pregnant patients who have experienced sexual assault and healthcare providers performing abortions under this specific exception.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 18, 2025

SB 42: Relating to exceptions to certain laws prohibiting abortion.

Texas Senate Bill 42 adds specific medical exceptions to the state's abortion prohibitions. It allows abortions when a physician determines they are necessary due to a lethal fetal anomaly, a life-limiting diagnosis making fetal survival impossible without extraordinary medical interventions, or a medical emergency. The bill amends multiple sections of the Health and Safety Code to clarify these exceptions apply to abortions performed under these circumstances, even if the pregnancy exceeds 20 weeks or occurs in an unlicensed facility. This directly affects physicians and patients in cases involving severe fetal conditions or urgent medical situations. The changes do not alter the general abortion restrictions but specify when exceptions to those restrictions apply.

in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 52: Relating to the designation and use of certain spaces and facilities according to sex; authorizing a civil penalty and a private civil right of action.

HB 52, titled the Texas Women's Privacy Act, requires certain facilities - including restrooms, locker rooms, shelters, correctional facilities, and colleges - to be designated for use based on biological sex (male or female) as defined by reproductive anatomy. The bill authorizes civil penalties for violations and allows private lawsuits to enforce compliance. It specifically applies to "multiple-occupancy private spaces" like shared restrooms and "family violence shelters," but excludes state agencies. The law defines "female" as individuals with a reproductive system for egg production and "male" as those with a system for sperm production.

in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 10: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

HB 10 creates an affirmative defense for individuals prosecuted under certain Texas criminal laws if they were victims of human trafficking or compelling prostitution. The bill states that a person cannot be prosecuted for conduct committed as a direct result of force, fraud, or coercion used by traffickers, provided they would not have engaged in that conduct without such coercion. This defense applies only when the conduct was compelled by trafficking tactics (as defined in Texas law), the victim wasn't merely offered an opportunity to commit the act, and the offense isn't listed in specific criminal procedure statutes. The law affects trafficking victims who face prosecution for crimes they committed while being trafficked, such as prostitution or drug offenses. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 208: Relating to the organization, powers, and authority of the Texas State Guard, including the powers and authority of the adjutant general and governor relating to the Texas State Guard.

HB 208 clarifies the structure and leadership of the Texas State Guard by creating a dedicated "Director" position to lead and manage the force, separate from the Texas National Guard. The bill requires the governor to appoint this director for two-year terms (expiring February 1 of even-numbered years), making the director subordinate only to the governor for State Guard matters. It also updates the Texas Military Department definition and specifies that the adjutant general’s command authority applies solely to the National Guard, not the State Guard. This directly affects Texas State Guard members, the governor’s appointment powers, and the chain of command for state military forces.

in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 151: Relating to designating certain substances as Schedule IV controlled substances under the Texas Controlled Substances Act.

HB 151 designates carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant), mifepristone, and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled substances under Texas law. This change would subject these substances to stricter regulation, including prescription requirements and penalties for unauthorized possession or distribution. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, applying only to offenses committed on or after that date, with prior offenses governed by existing law. It directly affects individuals and providers handling these substances in Texas, requiring compliance with Schedule IV controls.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 63: Relating to requirements for campgrounds located in a floodway; authorizing an administrative penalty; providing a private cause of action.

HB 63 requires campgrounds located in flood-prone areas (floodways) to obtain prior approval from Texas' Division of Emergency Management before constructing or expanding. Campground owners must submit detailed plans demonstrating how structures prevent flooding, allow safe evacuation, and provide emergency access routes. The bill authorizes administrative fines for non-compliance and permits individuals to sue if campgrounds violate the rules. This applies only to new construction or expansions beginning March 1, 2026, affecting private campground operators in designated flood zones.

Drew Darby (R) · 18 co-sponsors

introduced · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 209: Relating to the prosecution of certain election offenses.

Based solely on the provided context, a summary of HB 209 cannot be generated. The bill text is unavailable ("This version is not currently available, but is coming soon"), and no substantive details about its provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms are included in the provided information. The only available detail is that it was filed on August 18, 2025, and relates to "the prosecution of certain election offenses." Without access to the actual bill language or a substantive summary, a factual, neutral summary meeting the requested criteria is not possible.

in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 126: Relating to the duty of the attorney general to prosecute criminal offenses prescribed by the election laws of this state.

HB 126 requires the Texas Attorney General to prosecute certain election-related criminal offenses if local prosecutors fail to act within six months. Specifically, if a law enforcement agency submits a report of an election crime to both a local prosecutor and the Attorney General, and the local prosecutor hasn't initiated charges within six months, the Attorney General must take over the case. This applies only to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date (91 days after the legislative session ends), and affects election crime defendants, local prosecutors, and the Attorney General's office. The bill amends existing election and government codes to clarify this prosecution duty and allow the Attorney General to direct local prosecutors to assist.

Bill results