Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2688: Relating to the public retirement systems of certain municipalities.

HB 2688 amends Texas law governing public retirement systems for firefighters in large municipalities. It lowers the population threshold for municipalities to establish such a fund from 2 million to 1.6 million residents. The bill clarifies "normal retirement age" as either 20 years of service (for pre-2017 hires) or age 50 with 10 years of service (for post-2017 hires). It also updates terminology related to actuarial cost methods used to calculate pension funding requirements. The bill became law on September 1, 2025, affecting firefighters in qualifying Texas cities.

Joan Huffman (R) Mary Ann Perez (D) Sam Harless (R) Tom Oliverson (R) Senfronia Thompson (D) · 18 co-sponsors

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HCR 142: Designating Fort Worth as the official Aviation and Defense Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 142 is a symbolic resolution designating Fort Worth as Texas' official "Aviation and Defense Capital" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It recognizes the city's historical and current role in aerospace manufacturing (including F-35 production by Lockheed Martin) and defense infrastructure (like Bell Helicopter's legacy and Carswell Air Force Base). The resolution has no funding or regulatory impact - it simply grants Fort Worth this official title under Texas law, to be reviewed after the 10-year term. This designation does not alter existing laws or provide new resources.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1584: Relating to the creation of a list of priority facilities by electric utilities.

HB 1584 requires Texas electric utilities to create and maintain a list of "priority facilities," including hospitals, police/fire stations, critical water/wastewater facilities, and certain correctional facilities. Utilities must provide an online tool for facilities to request inclusion (only if they qualify) and confirm within 14 days whether a facility is on the list. During declared emergencies, utilities must share this confidential list with Texas emergency management, and the list cannot be disclosed under public records laws. The law took effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting utilities and the named facilities.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 20: Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of possession, promotion, or production of certain obscene visual material appearing to depict a child.

SB 20 creates a new criminal offense for possessing, accessing with intent to view, or promoting obscene visual material that appears to depict a child under 18, including AI-generated images, animations, or digital representations. The law applies to any material seeming to show a child in sexual activity (per Section 43.21(a)(1)(B)), regardless of whether the depiction is real or computer-created. A first offense is classified as a state jail felony, with repeat offenses potentially increasing penalties to third-degree (for one prior conviction) or second-degree (for two or more prior convictions) felonies. This bill directly affects individuals who share or view such material, with no exceptions for digital or AI-generated content.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1393: Relating to daylight saving time.

HB 1393 would amend Texas law to require the state to observe daylight saving time year-round, creating a new time zone called "Texas Time" for all areas currently using Central or Mountain Standard Time. This bill directly affects all Texans by changing the state's standard time practice, eliminating seasonal clock changes. The key provision states that Texas would permanently adopt daylight saving time, but the law's implementation is conditional: it only takes effect if the U.S. Congress passes federal legislation authorizing states to do so. The bill passed both chambers and was signed by the governor in June 2025, pending federal action.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 226: Relating to establishing residency for children who are the subject of parental child safety placement agreements for purposes of admission into public schools.

SB 226 allows parents or guardians of children in parental child safety placement agreements (where parents temporarily place children with others under Texas Family Code) to establish school residency using a Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) letter. This letter must confirm the child's residence address within a school district and include specific language stating it serves as proof for public school enrollment. The bill amends the Education Code (Section 25.001(c-3)) to create this new residency verification method, replacing older processes. It applies to agreements executed on or after the bill’s effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed immediately), affecting school districts, children in these agreements, and their families.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 46: Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis under and the administration of the Texas Compassionate-Use Program; requiring registration.

HB 46 modifies Texas' Compassionate-Use Program by requiring dispensing organizations to register certain personnel. The bill mandates that directors, owners, managers, and employees of these organizations must register with the state department, adding this as a requirement for licensing. It specifically amends the Health and Safety Code to include registration as a condition for operating a dispensing organization under the program. The law, signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 49: Relating to the treatment and beneficial use of fluid oil and gas waste and related material, including a limitation on liability for that treatment or use.

HB 49 limits legal liability for businesses and landowners handling oil and gas waste in Texas. It shields parties who treat or reuse this waste (e.g., for drilling operations) from tort claims related to subsequent use, unless they acted with gross negligence or failed to follow environmental rules. The law specifically protects those who generate, transport, or treat waste, including surface estate owners, but does not cover cases involving intentional misconduct or negligence. Signed into law on June 20, 2025, and effective September 1, 2025, it directly affects oil and gas operators, waste treatment facilities, and landowners managing such waste.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4488: Relating to the creation and re-creation of funds and accounts, the dedication and rededication of revenue and allocation of accrued interest on dedicated revenue, and the exemption of unappropriated money from use for general governmental purposes.

HB 4488 abolishes most new state funds and revenue dedications created by the 2025 Texas Legislature by August 31, 2025, unless specifically exempted. It directly affects state agencies that established temporary funds or revenue streams during the 89th Legislature, requiring them to cease using these dedicated resources for specific purposes. Key exemptions include funds created to comply with constitutional or federal law, existing exempt funds, fee increases for designated purposes, and federal or trust funds requiring separate accounting. The law ensures unappropriated money from abolished funds cannot be used for general government purposes, streamlining state fiscal management. The bill became law after passing both chambers and receiving the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1433: Relating to the assertion of legislative privilege by the attorney general in certain legal challenges to the constitutionality of state statutes.

SB 1433 clarifies the Texas Attorney General's authority to claim "legislative privilege" (protection from disclosing certain communications) when defending state laws in court challenges to their constitutionality. It requires the Attorney General to provide evidence of representing the state or agency within 30 days of asserting this privilege, establishing their authority to do so. The bill directly affects the Attorney General's office and state agencies by defining their process for invoking this legal protection during constitutional challenges. It does not change substantive law but streamlines how privilege claims are handled in court proceedings.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4643: Relating to access to criminal history record information that relates to providers and provider applicants under Medicaid and other public benefits programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission.

HB 4643 requires Texas Medicaid and public benefits programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission to conduct criminal background checks on specific individuals associated with providers and applicants. It mandates checks for owners with 5% or more ownership interest (including through mortgages or asset interests), corporate officers/directors, partnership partners, and "managing employees" (such as administrators or general managers). The law applies to all current Medicaid providers and those applying for enrollment. This policy change clarifies who must undergo background screenings under Texas law, aligning with federal regulations for provider eligibility.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3923: Relating to state employment opportunities for individuals who do not hold a bachelor's degree.

HB 3923 requires Texas state agencies to review and adjust job requirements to reduce reliance on bachelor's degrees for employment. Specifically, it directs classification officers to identify positions where educational requirements could be lowered, reduce the number of roles mandating a bachelor's degree, and explore career advancement paths for employees without one. The bill mandates agencies to report their findings to the governor's budget office and Legislative Budget Board by specified deadlines. This directly affects state hiring practices and employees who lack bachelor's degrees but possess relevant skills or experience. The policy change takes effect September 1, 2025, aiming to broaden state employment opportunities.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results