Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1540: Relating to maintaining the confidentiality of the personal information of election officials and their employees.

SB 1540 requires Texas to maintain the confidentiality of personal information for election officials and their employees, preventing public disclosure of details like home addresses and phone numbers. The bill amends Texas Government Code Section 552.1175 to explicitly protect this information from public records requests. It applies directly to current and former election officials and their staff across Texas, aiming to enhance their privacy and safety. The law was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 227: Relating to the application review process for certain delayed birth certificates.

SB 227 modifies Texas' delayed birth certificate process to make it easier for applicants to prove identity and birthplace. It prevents state registrars from rejecting applications solely due to inconsistent supporting evidence, requiring them instead to weigh specific factors like valid ID (e.g., driver's license), evidence questioning birthplace, and verified affidavits from knowledgeable individuals. For individuals born before January 1, 1959, the bill mandates registration of a delayed birth certificate using only the established parent’s name if that parent’s identity is verified with non-contradictory information. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting residents seeking delayed birth certificates, particularly those with complex documentation.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3805: Relating to certain enforcement powers of the banking commissioner regarding the regulation of money services businesses.

HB 3805 amends Texas law to give the banking commissioner new authority to remove or prohibit individuals from working in money services businesses. It directly affects money services licensees, their key employees, and control persons who commit specific violations, such as intentional fraud, false record-keeping, or violating regulatory orders. The bill establishes clear grounds for the commissioner to issue removal or prohibition orders when actions cause financial harm to licensees, customers, or shareholders, or demonstrate personal dishonesty. These orders can be permanent or time-limited and are subject to specific procedural requirements. The law became effective immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2580: Relating to the definition of a designated law enforcement office or agency for purposes of certain laws governing the installation and use of tracking equipment and access to certain communications.

SB 2580 clarifies which law enforcement entities qualify as "designated" under Texas laws governing tracking equipment and communications access. It defines this term to include: (1) county sheriff's departments in counties with 500,000+ residents, (2) municipal police departments in cities with 200,000+ residents, (3) the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's inspector general office, and (4) the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's inspector general office. This definition directly affects those specific agencies by determining their eligibility to use certain surveillance tools under existing legal frameworks. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, without creating new powers but refining existing legal parameters.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5666: Relating to the creation of the Fenske Road Municipal Utility District of Harris County; granting a limited power of eminent domain; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes.

HB 5666 creates the Fenske Road Municipal Utility District in Harris County to provide essential infrastructure services. The district will have limited authority to acquire private property through eminent domain for utility projects, issue bonds for financing, and impose taxes, fees, and assessments on properties within its boundaries. It directly affects residents and businesses in the designated district area by enabling the construction and maintenance of roads, storm drainage, and utility systems. The bill establishes governance through a board of directors elected by district residents, as required by Texas law.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2373: Relating to financial exploitation or financial abuse using artificially generated media or phishing communications; providing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.

This bill creates new civil remedies for victims of financial exploitation using AI-generated media (like deepfakes) or phishing communications. It allows individuals to sue perpetrators for actual damages - including mental anguish and the perpetrator's profits - and to seek court orders halting further dissemination. The bill also imposes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per day for violations, enforceable by the Texas Attorney General. Platforms like social media companies are exempt from liability under this law, as they are protected by federal Section 230.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 8: Relating to agreements between certain sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and a grant program to cover the costs of implementing those agreements.

Texas SB 8 requires sheriffs in counties with 100,000+ residents to request agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allow local officers to enforce federal immigration law. Smaller counties may voluntarily enter similar agreements. The bill creates a state grant program to cover costs for counties implementing these agreements, including personnel and resources needed for compliance. It directly affects Texas county sheriffs and law enforcement agencies participating in federal immigration enforcement programs.

Topics ✗ Immigration

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1964: Relating to the regulation and use of artificial intelligence systems and the management of data by governmental entities.

Texas Senate Bill 1964 requires state and local government agencies to track and report on their use of artificial intelligence systems, particularly those making decisions affecting access to government services (like benefits or permits). The bill defines "heightened scrutiny AI systems" as those autonomously influencing such decisions and mandates agencies to inventory these systems, document their purpose, assess risks, and confirm compliance with ethics standards. Agencies must also include AI systems in regular technology infrastructure reviews, detailing how each supports agency goals and strategic plans. This focuses on transparency and accountability for AI use in public services, not restricting AI deployment.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 777: Relating to compensation and employment condition standards by municipal charter or collective bargaining agreement and to impasse resolution in collective bargaining with certain political subdivisions.

SB 777 modifies Texas law governing collective bargaining between municipalities and employee unions. It requires arbitration boards to consider specific factors like job hazards, qualifications, and training when resolving disputes over compensation and working conditions. The bill establishes procedures for handling impasses in negotiations, including mandatory mediation efforts before arbitration. It directly affects city governments and their unionized employees across Texas by standardizing dispute resolution processes for employment terms.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 33: Relating to certain prohibited transactions and logistical support between a governmental entity and an abortion assistance entity or abortion provider for the procurement of an abortion or related services.

SB 33 prohibits Texas governmental entities from using taxpayer funds to pay for or facilitate abortion-related services. It bans transactions with "abortion assistance entities" (organizations providing financial help, travel, childcare, or abortion drugs) or abortion providers for abortion procurement. The law specifically prevents government spending on logistical support like travel, lodging, childcare, or food to help individuals access abortion services. This applies to all state and local government entities and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4945: Relating to a study by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas on the feasibility of offering alternative service retirement benefits to certain members of the retirement system engaged in wildland firefighting or employed in positions related to wildland firefighting.

HB 4945 requires the Teacher Retirement System of Texas to study whether to offer alternative retirement benefits for wildland firefighters with the Texas A&M Forest Service. The study would assess two proposed benefit tiers: one for firefighters meeting specific age/service criteria (e.g., 55+ with 10 years or 25+ years service), and another for administrative staff supporting firefighting operations. The bill mandates the retirement system to evaluate costs and impacts of these options but does not implement any new benefits. This procedural bill, signed into law on June 20, 2025, is solely about conducting a feasibility study, not changing current retirement rules.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 705: Relating to the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board.

This bill amends Texas law governing the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board. It specifies that the board will consist of nine appointed members (with commission approval) plus two nonvoting ex officio members, requiring one public member. The bill also establishes staggered six-year terms for appointed members, with three terms expiring each February 1 in odd-numbered years, and repeals an existing section of the Occupations Code. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

Bill results