Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5435: Relating to required lease terms for public property leased to a nongovernmental entity.

HB 5435 requires leases for public property between government entities and private organizations to include specific terms for construction, alteration, or repair work. It mandates that contractors provide payment and performance bonds (guaranteeing payment and work completion) and give 90 days' written notice before starting work. The bill exempts institutions of higher education from the notice requirement. This law applies only to new leases signed on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting private contractors and developers leasing public land.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 148: Relating to the qualification of candidates for, and the training and education of members of, the board of directors of an appraisal district.

HB 148 requires members of appraisal district boards of directors in Texas to complete annual training before each anniversary of their appointment. The training covers key topics like the roles of appraisal officials, ethics standards, budgeting, conflict-of-interest laws, and public service principles, with tax-related districts needing at least eight hours of instruction. This bill directly affects local government board members who oversee property tax appraisals and assessments. The training must be provided by accredited educational institutions, and members must submit a certificate of completion to their appraisal district.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1094: Relating to the regulation of transportation protection agreements.

HB 1094 defines "transportation protection agreements" as contracts covering body transportation over 75 miles to a licensed facility and exempts these agreements from Texas insurance regulations. This bill directly affects funeral service providers selling such agreements and consumers purchasing them, as it removes insurance licensing and oversight requirements. The key provision clarifies that these agreements do not constitute "insurance" under state law, allowing sellers to offer transportation services without meeting standard insurance compliance rules. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 527: Relating to health benefit coverage for general anesthesia in connection with certain pediatric dental services.

SB 527 requires health insurance plans in Texas to cover medically necessary general anesthesia for pediatric dental services for children under 13 years old who cannot undergo treatment without anesthesia due to documented physical, mental, or medical conditions. The law applies to all health benefit plans offered by insurance companies, HMOs, health maintenance organizations, and other covered entities under Texas insurance law. It prohibits plans from excluding this specific anesthesia coverage when the medical criteria are met, ensuring access to necessary dental care for vulnerable young patients. The bill became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5342: Relating to the provision of behavioral health crisis services, including measures to fund and support the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and related services.

HB 5342 creates a dedicated "988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Trust Fund" to support Texas' 988 crisis services. The fund, managed by the state commission, accepts federal grants, donations, and investment income to cover operational costs like personnel, technology upgrades, and infrastructure improvements for the 988 Lifeline network. It directly affects crisis centers participating in the 988 system and callers seeking mental health support. The bill establishes strict rules for fund use, prohibiting diversion to other state purposes, and requires annual financial forecasting. The law became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4996: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of refusal to execute the release of a fraudulent lien or claim.

HB 4996 increases criminal penalties for refusing to release a fraudulent lien or claim against property owned by a public servant. It amends Texas law to make this offense a third-degree felony (instead of a Class A misdemeanor) when the lien holder knowingly targets a public servant. The bill directly affects individuals or entities filing fraudulent liens who deliberately withhold release of those liens against public servants. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4396: Relating to the eligibility of the American Performance Horseman and the American Rodeo for funding under the major events reimbursement program.

HB 4396 amends Texas Government Code sections 478.0001(3) and (7) to explicitly include "the American Performance Horseman" and "the American Rodeo" as eligible events under the state's major events reimbursement program. This change directly affects these two organizations by allowing them to seek state funding for qualifying events, such as competitions or exhibitions they host. The bill adds these entities to an existing list of major events - including sports championships and music awards - that qualify for reimbursement of certain costs. The legislation, signed into law on June 20, 2025, becomes effective September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4187: Relating to the authority and responsibilities of the Texas Historical Commission; authorizing fees.

HB 4187 streamlines contracting for the Texas Historical Commission by allowing its executive director to bypass full competitive bidding when necessary. Specifically, it permits direct contracts with qualified vendors if initial bidding fails to produce competitive offers, increases costs, delays urgent work, or misses critical needs - after documented justification. The bill also clarifies that the Commission may use funds from the Historic Infrastructure Sustainability Trust Fund exclusively for maintaining, preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring state historic sites under its control. These changes aim to improve efficiency in managing historical properties without creating new funding.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 647: Relating to the filing or recording of documents or instruments conveying or purporting to convey an interest in real or personal property.

SB 647 requires county clerks and other filing officers to send written notices to affected parties if they reasonably suspect a document about property ownership or claims (like fake court judgments or unauthorized liens) is fraudulent. It specifies that notices must go to the person named as the grantor/debtor, anyone claiming an interest in the property, and the last known property owner if different. The bill creates a presumption of fraud for documents from unrecognized courts or those not authorized by Texas or federal law. This law, effective September 1, 2025, directly affects property owners and individuals involved in real or personal property transactions by adding a verification step for questionable filings.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 681: Relating to the term and renewal of an engineering or land surveying license or registration.

SB 681 changes Texas engineering and land surveying license renewal rules from annual to a minimum two-year term. It amends the Occupations Code to require licenses to be valid for "not less than two years" instead of annually. This directly affects licensed engineers and land surveyors in Texas, who will now renew their credentials less frequently. The Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors must adopt new rules by September 1, 2025, to implement this change. The bill does not alter fees, continuing education requirements, or other license conditions.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 718: Relating to prohibiting a public institution of higher education from partnering with certain private entities for the construction of a student housing facility.

HB 718 prohibits public universities in Texas from partnering with private companies to build student housing if those companies have unresolved unpaid bills from contractors, subcontractors, or vendors. This applies to contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting public institutions of higher education when selecting housing development partners. Exceptions allow partnerships if the private entity has a payment bond or is contesting the claim in good faith. The law aims to prevent universities from working with entities facing financial disputes over construction payments.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2615: Relating to restricting telework for employees of public institutions of higher education.

SB 2615 restricts remote work for employees of Texas public institutions of higher education, requiring most staff to work on-site unless specific exceptions apply. The bill allows remote work only for employees with temporary illness, medical conditions requiring accommodations under law, or certain non-teaching roles that meet strict criteria (e.g., proven self-management, no need for physical presence or student interaction). It takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year, applying to all public universities in Texas. The law directly affects thousands of employees across these institutions by limiting telework options unless exceptions are met.

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Bill results