Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 12: Relating to parental rights in public education, to certain public school requirements and prohibitions regarding instruction, diversity, equity, and inclusion duties, and social transitioning, and to student clubs at public schools.

This bill prohibits public school districts in Texas from assigning or requiring staff to engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It specifically bans schools from mandating DEI statements, giving preferential treatment based on such statements, or implementing policies that reference race, gender identity, or sexual orientation - except where required by law. School employees who violate these restrictions may face discipline, including termination. The bill directly affects public school districts, their employees, and students by restricting certain curriculum and staff training practices related to DEI. It does not impact schools' ability to teach about historical holidays or events.

Topics ✗ Education

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2216: Relating to security of election system equipment.

SB 2216 requires political subdivisions (like counties and cities) that operate voting systems to store election equipment in locked rooms and apply security seals to prevent unauthorized access. It mandates that election officials document seal placements and any removals, including who accessed the equipment and why. The bill also adds polling location details to equipment inventory records. These requirements apply only to elections held on or after September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1318: Relating to a certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide water or sewer service in an area incorporated or annexed by a municipality.

HB 1318 amends Texas Water Code sections to streamline the process for municipalities seeking exclusive authority to provide water or sewer services in areas they've incorporated or annexed. It requires the Public Utility Commission to determine fair compensation for utility companies whose property becomes unusable due to this certification, and mandates that property transfers occur only through court orders in Travis County after compensation is paid. The bill directly affects municipalities seeking service control and utility companies whose assets may be impacted during annexation. Key mechanisms include court-ordered property transfers and compensation calculations based on the Commission's findings, replacing prior administrative processes. This policy change clarifies the legal pathway for municipal utility expansion while ensuring property owners receive defined compensation.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2995: Relating to the displacement of student financial aid at a public institution of higher education.

SB 2995 requires Texas public colleges and universities to provide prospective students with clear, plain-language information about how private scholarships or other factors might reduce their existing financial aid ("financial aid displacement"). The bill mandates that institutions include a mandatory advisory in admission applications or via a link, featuring a prominent warning about aid reduction, common reasons for it, and practical steps to maximize aid. This advisory must also include application timelines, specific recommendations to avoid aid reduction, and contact details for financial aid support. The law, effective September 1, 2025, aims to increase transparency for students navigating financial aid processes.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 612: Relating to the authority of certain conservation and reclamation districts to impose fees for the construction of certain pipelines and associated infrastructure.

SB 612 limits fees that certain Texas conservation and reclamation districts can charge developers for pipeline infrastructure. It prohibits districts from imposing fees exceeding the actual, documented costs incurred for reviewing, engineering, inspecting, or constructing water or sewer pipelines and associated infrastructure in their service areas. The bill directly affects developers planning subdivisions or land divisions requiring new utility connections. Key provisions require districts to base fees strictly on verified expenses, preventing excessive charges. This policy change aims to ensure fee transparency and fairness for property owners and developers.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2064: Relating to an exemption from certain taxes imposed on the transfer of a motor vehicle to a person from a decedent or the decedent's estate.

SB 2064 exempts the motor vehicle transfer tax when a vehicle is passed from a decedent's estate to family members (such as spouses, parents, or children) or to a person inheriting property from the estate. The bill amends Texas Tax Code to explicitly include transfers from a decedent's estate as an exempt scenario, aligning it with existing exemptions for family gifts. It also requires exemption statements to be filed in person with the tax assessor-collector, using specific identification like a driver's license or passport.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 1858: Relating to eligibility for the bulletproof vest and body armor grant program.

SB 1858 clarifies eligibility for Texas's bulletproof vest and body armor grant program by expanding the definition of "law enforcement agency" to explicitly include independent school districts. This change allows school districts - previously unclear under the program - to apply for grants covering body armor and bulletproof vests for campus safety personnel. The bill amends Government Code Section 772.0075(a) with these specific definitions, effective September 1, 2025. It directly affects school districts and law enforcement agencies seeking these safety equipment grants. The legislation does not alter grant funding levels or application processes, only who qualifies to apply.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2525: Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of certain property owned by a charitable organization that is engaged in providing housing and related facilities and services to persons who are at least 62 years of age.

HB 2525 exempts from property taxes certain housing and related facilities owned by charitable organizations that provide services specifically for people aged 62 or older. The bill amends Texas tax law to add a new provision (Subsection (k-1)) allowing these properties - such as senior housing with recreational activities or special-needs facilities - to qualify for tax exemption if the organization meets other charitable requirements. This directly affects nonprofit housing providers serving seniors, reducing their property tax burden. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, after being signed by the governor.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4205: Relating to compensation and employment benefits for law enforcement personnel in certain counties.

HB 4205 requires counties with populations of 3.3 million or more to provide equal compensation and benefits increases to all county-funded police officers within a specific class when a raise is approved for any officer in that class. It mandates that commissioners courts fund these increases without reducing other law enforcement agency budgets. The bill applies only to police officers whose pay is primarily funded by county sources, not to city or other agency personnel. This law preempts local ordinances that might conflict with these parity requirements for county law enforcement personnel.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5129: Relating to the security of certain personal identifying information submitted to or retained by a state agency.

HB 5129, the Right to Privacy Act, requires Texas state agencies to obtain written consent before sharing certain personal information submitted when applying for an occupational license (like professional certifications or business permits). The law specifically protects details such as home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, driver's license numbers, and emergency contact information. Agencies may share this data without consent only if required by federal law, state law, or for law enforcement purposes. This affects individuals applying for occupational licenses and all state agencies handling such applications, effective immediately as the bill was signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2177: Relating to the creation of a grant program to assist local law enforcement agencies in solving violent and sexual offenses.

SB 2177 creates a state grant program to help local law enforcement agencies solve violent and sexual offenses. The bill specifically targets cases involving murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, and sexual offenses as defined in Texas Penal Code sections (like indecency with a child or sexual assault). The program, administered by the criminal justice division, provides funding to agencies that report these offenses, with eligibility based on how effectively they "clear" cases through arrest or exceptional circumstances. It directly affects local police departments and sheriff's offices employing designated peace officers, aiming to improve case resolution rates for serious crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1871: Relating to the punishment for the criminal offense of attempted capital murder of a peace officer; increasing a criminal penalty; changing eligibility for parole and mandatory supervision.

HB 1871 increases penalties for attempting to kill a peace officer by reclassifying the offense as a first-degree felony, punishable by 25 years to life in prison. It directly affects individuals convicted of attempting capital murder of a police officer, making them ineligible for parole under Section 508.145(a)(1) of the Government Code. The bill also prohibits such offenders from being released on mandatory supervision under Section 508.149(a). These changes took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results