Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1677: Relating to a study on prevention and reduction of diabetes-related amputation.

SB 1677 requires Texas' Higher Education Coordinating Board to select a top-tier research university to study ways to prevent and reduce diabetes-related amputations. The designated institution must collaborate with the state health department and medical experts to analyze amputation data, develop prevention strategies, and recommend policies - such as improving insurance coverage for diabetic foot ulcer treatments and increasing public awareness. The study will focus on best practices for avoiding amputations, expanding access to care, and enhancing coordination among healthcare providers. This bill directly affects the selected university and aims to inform future health policies impacting diabetes patients in Texas.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5246: Relating to the administration, powers, and duties of the Texas Space Commission and Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium, to other governmental entities regarding aerospace, aviation, and space exploration initiatives and activities, and to the abolishment of the spaceport trust fund.

This bill restructures Texas' space industry governance by updating the Texas Space Commission's duties and creating a new Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium. It directs the aerospace office to analyze state research, develop industry strategies, and partner with education boards to support space-related jobs and infrastructure. The bill abolishes the existing spaceport trust fund and replaces it with a new process for recommending funding levels for spaceport projects. It directly affects Texas' aerospace industry, spaceport operators, and higher education institutions involved in space-related programs.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4520: Relating to requirements for certain funding of aviation facilities and projects.

HB 4520 requires Texas airports seeking state loans or grants to maintain control over facilities for 20 years, disclose all funding sources and financial capabilities, and secure at least 10% non-state funding (5% in economically disadvantaged counties). It also mandates adequate project planning before state approval. The law applies to all airports receiving state aviation funding and takes effect September 1, 2025. This replaces prior requirements under Transportation Code Section 21.114.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3619: Relating to the rights and liabilities of the owner of the surface estate of the tract of land on which a well to be plugged or replugged by the Railroad Commission of Texas is located.

HB 3619 requires the Railroad Commission of Texas to restore the surface of land to its original topography after plugging or replugging a well, unless the surface landowner declines this service. It also ensures surface owners retain access to their property during these operations and shields them from liability claims related to the plugging process. The law applies to wells plugged or replugged on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting landowners where oil and gas wells are being decommissioned. Key provisions include mandatory land restoration for natural regrowth and liability protections for landowners, the Commission, and operators acting in good faith under the Natural Resources Code.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3928: Relating to providing notice of a vehicle towed to a vehicle storage facility by publication on a third-party Internet website.

HB 3928 allows vehicle storage facilities in Texas to provide notice of a towed vehicle to the owner and primary lender via a third-party internet website (instead of only a newspaper) under specific circumstances. This applies when the vehicle is registered in another state, the owner's address is missing, the vehicle lacks visible registration plates, or the facility cannot identify the owner or lender. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles must link to these approved third-party websites on its own website. The bill directly affects vehicle storage facilities (who must use this method when conditions apply) and vehicle owners (who may receive notice online instead of in print). It takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 654: Relating to the dismissal of a criminal charge related to the illegal hunting of certain deer; authorizing fees.

HB 654, known as the Asp-Morgan Act, allows courts to dismiss criminal charges for minor deer hunting violations where antler spread measurements differ by one inch or less from legal limits. It applies to hunters who report the violation to a game warden before leaving the site, avoid keeping the deer carcass, have no prior similar violations, plead guilty, and complete a hunter education course. If they finish the course and avoid further violations during an 180-day deferral period, the charge is dismissed without creating a conviction record. This policy directly affects hunters who make minor measurement errors in deer hunting, offering an alternative to conviction through education rather than punishment.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 37: Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment, powers, and duties of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman.

SB 37 requires Texas public universities to review their general education curriculum and graduation requirements every five years. It mandates that these reviews ensure courses are foundational for education, prepare students for civic/professional life, and avoid teaching specific concepts like "identity politics" or theories claiming systemic racism is inherent in U.S. institutions. The bill also requires governing boards to consider student costs, including additional tuition and time to complete degrees. This law directly affects all 15 public universities in Texas and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4044: Relating to certain expenditures by public institutions of higher education and university systems that are eligible for certain tax credits.

HB 4044 modifies Texas tax code provisions to clarify which costs at public colleges and universities qualify for federal tax credits. It allows institutions of higher education and university systems (as defined in Texas Education Code §61.003) to claim tax credits for certain expenditures that would otherwise be excluded under federal rules. The bill changes the tax code to remove an exception for costs related to entities exempt under federal tax code §501(a), effective January 1, 2035. This ensures these institutions can fully utilize eligible tax credits for qualifying expenses incurred after the effective dates (2026 for current changes, 2035 for the full modification).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 923: Relating to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel.

HB 923 amends Texas law governing the Medical Disclosure Panel, a body that reviews medical malpractice claims. The bill increases the panel's membership from nine to 13 members, requiring specific representation: three public members (including one with health literacy expertise), three legal experts (with patient/physician experience), and seven licensed physicians. A key new provision (f-1) mandates that for votes requiring panel action, a majority of the medical-licensed members must be present. The panel will remain administratively attached to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which will provide budget support and staff. This structural change affects how the panel operates but does not alter medical malpractice claim procedures.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3126: Relating to the election of certain entities to participate in the uniform group coverage program for active school employees; imposing a fee.

HB 3126 allows school entities that discontinued participation in Texas' uniform group health coverage program for active school employees after September 1, 2022, to rejoin the program under specific conditions. To re-enroll, these entities must submit written notice to the program trustee by December 31, 2025, for participation beginning September 1, 2026, and pay a risk stabilization fee on their premiums for the 2026 plan year. The bill prohibits rejoining entities from discontinuing participation before September 1, 2031, and expires on that date. This bill, signed into law on June 20, 2025, and effective September 1, 2025, directly affects school districts or entities previously enrolled in the program.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2193: Relating to a study by the Texas Veterans Commission regarding the provision of veterans benefits in this state.

HB 2193 requires the Texas Veterans Commission to study how veterans access state and federal benefits currently managed by the commission. The study must count eligible veterans by county, assess current claims benefit advisor staffing levels, identify optimal staffing locations to minimize veteran travel, and calculate implementation costs for service improvements. The commission must submit a report with findings and recommendations to state leaders by June 1, 2026. This bill does not change benefit eligibility or amounts but focuses on analyzing and potentially improving service delivery efficiency for veterans across Texas.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3005: Relating to the payment of funds under certain construction contracts.

HB 3005 clarifies that delays in public construction project payments cannot be justified by audits lasting more than 60 days after a project's substantial completion. It directly affects contractors working on state or local government construction projects by preventing prolonged audits from delaying final payments. The bill amends Texas Government Code to define such extended audits as not constituting a "bona fide dispute" that would legally delay payment. This change applies only to contracts signed on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Bill results