Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2026: Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 25 in Archer County as the U.S. Army Gary C. and U.S.M.C. Gary S. Johnston Memorial Highway.

HB 2026 designates a 12-mile stretch of State Highway 25 in Archer County (between Archer City and Windthorst) as the "U.S. Army Gary C. and U.S.M.C. Gary S. Johnston Memorial Highway" to honor two military veterans. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway segment and at intermediate points along the route. This is a ceremonial designation with no funding or regulatory changes, taking effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 153: Designating Pearsall as the official Lineman Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 153 designates Pearsall, Texas as the "Official Lineman Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes Pearsall's historical role in supporting the power industry, including its connection to lineman training, family traditions in the profession, and the community's contributions to electrical infrastructure. The designation, established under Section 391.003(e) of the Texas Government Code, has no regulatory or financial impact and remains in effect until 2035. It does not create new policies or affect any individuals or entities beyond this ceremonial recognition.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3211: Relating to vision care benefits, including participation of optometrists and therapeutic optometrists in vision care or managed care plans.

This bill requires vision insurance companies to create online applications for optometrists and therapeutic optometrists to join their plans. It mandates that insurers provide contracts within 10 business days of receiving a complete application and make credentialing decisions within 30 days. The bill ensures all applicants face identical application requirements and processing timelines, prohibiting insurers from considering extra information beyond the submitted application. It also requires insurers to include approved providers in their plans within 20 business days of contract acceptance. The law applies to all vision care plans serving Texas residents.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 3034: Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway 249 in Grimes and Montgomery Counties as the Doug Pitcock Aggie Expressway.

SB 3034 designates a specific segment of State Highway 249 (from Farm-to-Market Road 1774 in Montgomery County to State Highway 105 in Grimes County) as the "Doug Pitcock Aggie Expressway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers bearing this name at both ends of the highway and at appropriate intermediate locations. This is a ceremonial naming bill with no substantive policy changes, affecting only the highway signage in that geographic area. The designation takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5195: Relating to modernization of state agency Internet websites and digital services.

This bill requires all Texas state agencies to modernize their websites and digital services to improve accessibility and user experience. Agencies must assess their online platforms for issues like slow loading, complex navigation, and lack of mobile compatibility, then implement changes such as simplifying forms, reducing paper requirements, and adopting consistent design templates. The state department will provide guidance, templates, and best practices for agencies to follow, with a requirement to report progress to the legislature by November 2026. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3516: Relating to the availability of certain working papers and electronic communications of certain administrative law judges and technical examiners under the public information law.

HB 3516 exempts certain working documents from public disclosure requirements for administrative law judges at the State Office of Administrative Hearings and technical examiners at the Railroad Commission of Texas. Specifically, it excludes notes, drafts of decisions, and drafts of orders related to contested hearings or dispute resolution procedures from the public information law. This change applies only to requests received on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect other public records. The bill directly impacts transparency for these specific government staff members during case proceedings.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1240: Relating to certain governmental operations affecting the border region.

HB 1240 standardizes the definition of the "Texas-Mexico border region" across multiple state laws by specifying the exact list of 48 counties (including Hidalgo, El Paso, Webb, and others) that constitute this area. The bill amends sections of the Government Code, Education Code, Health and Safety Code, and Transportation Code to consistently reference this defined border region for program eligibility and administrative purposes. This affects state agencies and programs that operate within the border region, such as education pilot programs requiring placement in the defined area. The bill does not create new programs but ensures uniformity in how the border region is identified in state law, effective June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 627: Relating to the licensing and regulation of dietitians.

SB 627 updates Texas licensing rules for dietitians by requiring a formal code of ethics, setting qualification standards for licenses, and prohibiting the use of titles like "licensed dietitian" (LD) or "provisional licensed dietitian" (PLD) without a valid license. It also adds a new requirement that license renewals may be denied if administrative penalties remain unpaid. The bill directly affects dietitians seeking or maintaining licenses in Texas and ensures public access to verified professionals. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2350: Relating to standing in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship.

HB 2350 amends Texas Family Code Section 102.003 to clarify who has legal standing to file a lawsuit concerning a parent-child relationship. It specifically adds new categories of individuals who can initiate such cases, including foster parents, relatives, or designated caregivers who have cared for a child placed by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) for at least 12 months, with exceptions if the child was returned to parents or a DFPS case was dismissed. It also expands standing for relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity if both parents are deceased. The bill directly affects foster parents, extended family members, and caregivers seeking legal involvement in a child's custody or care. This change streamlines eligibility for filing suits without altering custody standards or outcomes.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2166: Relating to testing of voting tabulation equipment.

SB 2166 requires standardized testing of voting tabulation equipment used in Texas elections. It mandates three specific tests per election: one conducted jointly with the public logic/accuracy test (at least 48 hours before voting), one immediately before counting begins, and one immediately after counting ends. The bill specifies that election officials (including the general custodian and central counting station staff) must conduct these tests using identical ballot stock and test materials from the public logic/accuracy process. This directly affects election administrators and voting equipment at both polling places and central counting stations, ensuring consistent equipment accuracy before, during, and after ballot counting.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1856: Relating to a capacity cost recovery rider for certain electric utilities.

SB 1856 allows specific electric utilities operating outside ERCOT (in Southeastern Electric Reliability Council areas) to recover costs from multi-state capacity auctions through a special rider on customer bills. The rider must be annually updated and only covers costs not already recovered via base rates, including eligibility criteria for capacity-related expenses. Utilities must apply if they haven't exceeded their authorized return on equity, and the commission requires annual reconciliation to ensure costs are reasonable and prevent over-recovery. This law, effective immediately after the governor signed it on June 20, 2025, directly affects eligible out-of-ERCOT utilities participating in federal-regulated capacity markets.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5656: Relating to the creation of the Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 263; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

HB 5656 creates Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 263, a new local government entity to provide utility services (like water, sewer, and drainage) to a specific area in Fort Bend County. The bill grants the district limited power to acquire property through eminent domain, authority to issue bonds for infrastructure projects, and the ability to impose assessments, fees, and taxes on properties within its boundaries. This procedural bill directly affects property owners in the designated district territory and establishes the district’s governing board and initial boundaries under Texas law. It became effective immediately on June 20, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Bill results