Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1868: Relating to a study on changes to performance tier funding for dual credit or dual enrollment courses under the public junior college state finance program and the capacity of the state's workforce to teach dual credit or dual enrollment courses.

HB 1868 requires the Texas Coordinating Board to conduct a study on reducing the semester credit hour threshold for dual credit course funding from 15 to 9 hours under the public junior college finance program. The study must assess student benefits (like faster graduation timelines and cost savings) and evaluate the state's workforce capacity to teach dual credit courses, including instructor numbers, certification barriers, and strategies to expand qualified teachers. It mandates a report with findings and recommendations by December 1, 2026. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on analysis, not implementing funding changes. It became effective June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3697: Relating to the text on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail.

HB 3697 modifies Texas election code requirements for mail-in ballot applications and related materials. It mandates that the application form must be at least 8x9 inches, printed in 12-point type, and in black text. The bill also requires all balloting materials, including instructions, to use 12-point type and black text. These changes apply only to elections held on or after September 1, 2025, and directly affect voters requesting mail ballots and election offices processing these applications. The bill focuses solely on formatting standards for ballot materials.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2694: Relating to the election and resignation of and filling of vacancies on the board of commissioners of the Brazoria Drainage District No. 4.

HB 2694 updates election rules for commissioners on the Brazoria Drainage District No. 4 board. It requires commissioners who run for other state or federal offices (with over 1.5 years remaining in their term) to automatically resign from their district position. The bill sets specific election dates: Place No. 3 commissioners will be elected in May 2027, and Places No. 1 and 2 in May 2029. It also modifies how vacancies are filled, allowing appointment by remaining commissioners if less than 290 days remain before the next election.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 227: Relating to the designation of a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 521 in Brazoria County as the Clarence "BB" Sasser Medal of Honor Highway.

HB 227 designates a specific segment of Farm-to-Market Road 521 in Brazoria County as the "Clarence 'BB' Sasser Medal of Honor Highway." The bill amends the Texas Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers along this highway segment. This commemorative measure, effective September 1, 2025, honors Clarence "BB" Sasser and has no impact on transportation policy or funding. It directly affects road signage in Brazoria County and serves as a permanent memorial.

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2313: Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to use certain tax revenue for certain qualified projects.

HB 2313 allows specific Texas municipalities (with populations between 700,000-950,000, or containing over 70% of a county with 1.5 million+ residents, among other criteria) to use certain tax revenue for qualified projects within designated "project financing zones." These zones must be within a three-mile radius of a qualified project or a continuous area meeting specific size limits. The law defines the boundaries and expiration (30 years from designation) for these zones, amending the Tax Code to clarify municipal authority. It directly affects eligible cities seeking to fund development projects through targeted tax revenue, without creating new taxes. The bill took effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4344: Relating to access to and use of criminal history record information by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

HB 4344 allows the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) to access criminal history records from the FBI and Texas law enforcement agencies for background checks on job applicants, current employees, and contractors. The bill requires the PUC to keep this information confidential and prohibits sharing it with anyone except under court order or with the individual's consent. It also mandates that the PUC destroy these records after use. This law applies to all PUC employment and contracting decisions, effective September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2508: Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a qualifying condition or disease.

HB 2508 creates a property tax exemption for the residence homestead of a surviving spouse whose veteran spouse died from a qualifying condition or disease. The exemption applies to the full appraised value of the homestead and is available to spouses who have not remarried since the veteran's death. Qualifying conditions are defined under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022. The exemption takes effect January 1 of the tax year the surviving spouse qualifies and applies regardless of when the veteran died, provided all eligibility criteria are met. This bill amends Texas Tax Code Sections 11.136, 11.42(c), and 11.43(c) to implement the change.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 876: Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 377 in Hood and Johnson Counties as the Bob Cornett Parkway.

SB 876 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 377 under construction near Cresson (in Hood and Johnson Counties) as the "Bob Cornett Parkway." This is a naming designation only, with no changes to transportation policy or funding. The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at highway ends and key points along this designated segment, effective September 1, 2025. It directly affects the highway corridor and local communities by adding a commemorative name.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2790: Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties as the Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway.

This bill designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties - between U.S. Highway 287 and Interstate 20 - as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway." It requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at each end of the highway and at intermediate sites along the route, in addition to any existing designations. The bill has no policy or operational changes beyond this ceremonial naming, which honors the late Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. It became law on June 20, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 509: Relating to requiring notice to the attorney general in an action under the Election Code seeking a temporary restraining order.

SB 509 requires courts to notify the Texas Attorney General before a hearing in any election-related case seeking a temporary restraining order under the Election Code. This procedural change directly affects courts handling election disputes and ensures the Attorney General receives advance notice of such requests. The bill adds a new requirement that courts must provide this notice "as soon as practicable" before the hearing. It took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025. The law does not alter election rules or voting procedures, only the court notification process.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3751: Relating to the transfer of certain real property from the Texas Department of Transportation to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

HB 3751 transfers a specific 3-acre property at 715 Pine Street in Woodville, Texas (currently used by the Texas Department of Transportation for a maintenance facility) from TxDOT to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The bill requires TxDOT to complete this transfer by November 30, 2025, using a detailed legal boundary description (metes and bounds). It also exempts this transfer from certain provisions in the Transportation Code and Natural Resources Code. The property is identified in Tyler County records as A0657 J. Wheat Block 42 Tract 11.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5196: Relating to telework for state employees.

HB 5196 establishes a formal framework for telework arrangements for Texas state employees. It requires state agencies to obtain written authorization from employees' supervisors before allowing telework, specifying reasons for approval, terms of the agreement, and annual renewal requirements. Agencies can revoke telework agreements at any time without notice and cannot make telework a condition of employment. The bill also mandates that agencies develop written telework plans addressing policies and procedures, while allowing in-person requirements for meetings or events deemed necessary by the agency.

Bill results