Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 272: Relating to the prosecution of the offense of fraudulent use or possession of credit card or debit card information.

HB 272 modifies where credit card fraud cases can be prosecuted under Texas law. It allows cases involving fraudulent use or possession of credit/debit card information (covered under Penal Code Section 32.315) to be filed in either the county where the crime occurred or the county where the victim resides. This change directly affects victims of card fraud, prosecutors, and courts by expanding jurisdiction options for these cases. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to cases filed after that date.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 24: Relating to the inclusion of an understanding of communist regimes and ideologies in the essential knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum for certain public school students.

SB 24 requires Texas public schools to include specific instruction about communist regimes and ideologies in social studies curricula for students in grades 4 through 12. The bill mandates age-appropriate lessons covering historical events like the Holodomor, Cultural Revolution, and Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge, as well as comparative analysis of communist ideologies versus U.S. democratic principles. It also requires teaching modern threats from communist regimes and methods used to spread such ideologies, including propaganda and censorship. This policy directly affects all public school students in the specified grades across Texas. The law became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✗ Education

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 293: Relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation and related retirement benefits, and the reporting of certain judicial transparency information; authorizing an administrative penalty.

SB 293 updates Texas judicial oversight by requiring public notice of certain judicial reprimands and clarifying misconduct standards. It directly affects judges (including retired judges), the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, and the public by mandating transparency in disciplinary actions. Key provisions include defining "official misconduct" to cover failures to meet court deadlines, violations of judicial conduct rules, and incompetence, while requiring the Commission to maintain public complaint files. The bill also authorizes administrative penalties for misconduct but does not change judicial compensation or retirement benefits. This law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, takes effect January 1, 2026.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5320: Relating to the powers, duties, and governance of the Starr County Drainage District, the change of the name of the Starr County Drainage District to the Starr County Drainage and Groundwater Conservation District, the dissolution of the Starr County Groundwater Conservation District, and the transfer of the assets and liabilities of the Starr County Groundwater Conservation District to the Starr County Drainage and Groundwater Conservation District; authorizing the imposition of a tax.

HB 5320 changes the name of the Starr County Drainage District to the Starr County Drainage and Groundwater Conservation District, dissolves the separate Starr County Groundwater Conservation District, and transfers all of its assets and liabilities to the renamed entity. The bill establishes a five-member board with specific representation requirements (agricultural producers, rural water employees, municipal interests, industrial interests, and county-wide representation) to govern the new district. It also authorizes the district to impose a tax to fund its operations. This bill directly affects Starr County residents and landowners by consolidating two water management entities into one under a single governance structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 748: Relating to the regulation of laser hair removal.

Texas Senate Bill 748 repeals specific sections (401.516(b) and (c)) of the Health and Safety Code that previously regulated laser hair removal procedures. This change removes existing requirements for practitioners and facilities offering laser hair removal services in Texas. The bill directly affects licensed estheticians, medical spas, and clinics providing laser hair removal treatments. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, eliminating the repealed regulatory provisions without introducing new requirements.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4904: Relating to civil liability of property owners relating to motorcycle instruction and training courses.

HB 4904 limits civil liability for property owners who host motorcycle instruction or training courses on their premises. It protects property owners from lawsuits related to accidents or injuries during these courses, unless the injury resulted from gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The law applies only to incidents occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. This change directly affects property owners, training schools, and motorcycle instructors operating in Texas.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2310: Relating to developing a strategic plan for the improvement and expansion of early learning and educational opportunities for young children with disabilities.

HB 2310 requires the Texas Education Agency, in collaboration with the Health and Human Services Commission and Texas Workforce Commission, to develop a strategic plan improving early learning opportunities for young children with disabilities or developmental delays. The plan must address barriers to inclusion in prekindergarten programs, early childhood special education, and subsidized childcare, while recommending policy, funding, and training changes. Key provisions include strategies for inclusive settings, analysis of current challenges, and recommendations for provider staffing and resource coordination. The bill directly affects children with disabilities and the programs serving them, including public schools, childcare providers, and early intervention services. It does not create new programs but mandates a coordinated state plan to enhance existing early education access.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 114: Relating to the transfer of functions relating to certain veteran mental health programs and plans to the Texas Veterans Commission.

HB 114 transfers responsibility for certain veteran mental health programs from the Texas Health and Safety Code to the Texas Veterans Commission under the Government Code. The bill requires the Commission to administer a program including peer-to-peer counseling, suicide prevention training, veteran jail diversion services, and specialized initiatives for women veterans and rural veterans. Key provisions mandate training for peer service coordinators, coordination of mental health first aid, and access to licensed mental health professionals. This law directly affects Texas veterans seeking mental health support and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4202: Relating to proof of identity of a person making an acknowledgment of a written instrument.

HB 4202 updates Texas law requiring proof of identity for people acknowledging legal documents, such as property deeds. It specifies three acceptable forms of identification: (1) a witness's sworn statement if the witness is personally known to the notary or shows government ID with photo/signature; (2) the person's own government-issued ID with photo/signature; or (3) a foreign passport for residential real estate transactions. This affects notaries, attorneys, and individuals signing legal documents, ensuring clearer verification standards. The bill took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1789: Relating to electric service quality and reliability; providing an administrative penalty.

SB 1789 establishes new reliability standards for Texas electric utilities, directly affecting companies providing power to residential and commercial customers. The bill requires utilities to meet specific service interruption metrics (measuring frequency and duration of outages) for feeders serving 10+ customers, with penalties including reduced profit margins if standards are violated. It also mandates regular inspections, maintenance, and record-keeping for transmission and distribution poles to ensure structural integrity, accounting for Texas weather conditions. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all electric utilities, cooperatives, and municipally owned providers.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 924: Relating to entities that provide video services.

This bill updates Texas definitions for "cable service" and "video service" in the Utilities Code. It explicitly excludes internet-based streaming services (like Netflix or Hulu) from being classified as "video services" under state regulation, while maintaining definitions for traditional cable and wireline services. This primarily affects video service providers in Texas by clarifying which services fall under existing regulatory frameworks, particularly distinguishing streaming platforms from traditional cable providers. The change takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SCR 9: Urging Congress to propose and submit to the states for ratification the "Keep Nine" amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

SCR 9 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Texas Legislature urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment to permanently fix the U.S. Supreme Court's size at nine justices. It does not create new law or affect any specific group; instead, it requests Congress formally propose an amendment stating "The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine justices." The resolution directs Texas officials to send copies to federal leaders and Texas' congressional delegation, asking them to enter it into the Congressional Record as a formal request. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal effect but expresses Texas' position on preserving the Court's current structure.

Bill results