Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2764: Relating to information provided to a purchaser of a manufactured home regarding the ability to elect to treat the home as real property or personal property.

SB 2764 requires retailers selling manufactured homes to provide buyers with a written disclosure explaining their option to treat the home as either real property (subject to property taxes and real estate rules) or personal property (subject to different tax and regulatory rules). The disclosure must be in 12-point type and cover specific details, including the conditions for making this election, its effects on ownership, and that the election must be applied for when requesting a statement of ownership. This applies to all disclosures given on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting buyers of manufactured homes during purchase agreements. The bill aims to ensure buyers understand how this classification choice impacts their financial obligations and legal rights.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2487: Relating to procedures for and certain facilities providing crisis and mental health services.

SB 2487 establishes crisis service centers in Texas counties with populations exceeding 1.2 million, requiring 24/7 provision of mental health crisis services including immediate stabilization, short-term residential care, medical detoxification, and housing coordination for individuals experiencing homelessness. The bill revises detention procedures by mandating that a licensed mental health professional conduct an immediate examination for certain individuals and a physician complete a preliminary exam within 12 hours (reducing the prior 24-hour window). It requires crisis centers to provide follow-up services within 72 hours of initial intervention, including risk reassessment and connections to housing and treatment, and ensures individuals released receive information about outpatient care options. These centers must coordinate with law enforcement to prioritize crisis center visits over restrictive settings and integrate with federal homelessness programs like HUD's continuum of care.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1962: Relating to public school accountability, including the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program and the adoption and administration of assessment instruments in public schools, indicators of achievement and public school performance ratings under the public school accountability system, a grant program for school district local accountability plans, and actions challenging Texas Education Agency decisions related to public school accountability.

SB 1962 restricts public school districts from seeking exemptions or waivers for specific educational requirements under Texas law. It prohibits waivers for rules covering criminal conduct, federal mandates (like special education programs), graduation standards, accountability measures, class size limits, student safety protocols, and teacher protections. The bill also establishes a new appeal process allowing schools to challenge Texas Education Agency decisions in Travis County district court. This directly affects all public schools and districts operating within Texas's accountability system by requiring strict adherence to these non-negotiable standards.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1163: Relating to the circumstances under which an appraisal review board is required to postpone a protest hearing.

SB 1163 modifies Texas property tax protest hearing procedures. It allows property owners or their agents to request one postponement without needing to explain why, as long as they ask before the hearing date. The bill also requires appraisal review boards to reschedule hearings if owners show "good cause" (like scheduling conflicts) or if the chief appraiser agrees. Additionally, owners who miss a hearing can request a new one within four days by explaining their absence, including if they were attending another hearing with the same board simultaneously. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2050: Relating to the recycling and disposal of consumer energy storage modules.

SB 2050 prohibits disposing of common household batteries (like lithium-ion, alkaline, nickel-cadmium, and nickel-metal hydride batteries) in regular trash. It requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to establish collection sites for recycling or proper disposal of these "consumer energy storage modules" by rule. The law affects all Texas residents who use such batteries, banning landfill disposal starting September 1, 2025. The bill defines these modules as devices storing energy for consumer products, including standard batteries found in electronics and devices.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 438: Relating to the confidentiality of certain information for a current or former administrative law judge for the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

SB 438 adds new confidentiality protections for current and former administrative law judges (ALJs) working for the State Office of Administrative Hearings. It exempts their home addresses, phone numbers, emergency contacts, Social Security numbers, and information about family members from public disclosure requirements under Texas law. The bill amends the Government Code and Tax Code to ensure these ALJs' sensitive personal information remains private, regardless of other disclosure rules. These changes apply only to information requests received on or after September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 584: Relating to the responsibility of consumer reporting agencies to ensure compliance with certain consumer reporting laws.

SB 584 requires credit bureaus (consumer reporting agencies) to verify that information they receive from other agencies or third parties is compiled and included in consumer reports in compliance with existing Texas consumer reporting laws. This applies only to reports issued on or after September 1, 2025. The bill adds a new requirement for agencies to ensure data accuracy and legal handling when using externally sourced information. It does not create new consumer rights but clarifies agencies' responsibilities under current law. The legislation focuses on procedural compliance rather than substantive changes to consumer protections.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1802: Relating to a landlord's duty to repair or remedy certain conditions.

SB 1802 requires Texas landlords to make a "diligent effort" to repair or fix conditions that materially affect a tenant's health or safety after receiving proper notice. It directly affects landlords and tenants in residential properties, specifically covering issues like failure to maintain hot water at 120°F or unsafe accessibility features (ramps, elevators, handrails). The bill mandates that tenants must notify landlords at the rent payment location, be current on rent, and give a follow-up written notice if repairs aren't made within a reasonable time. Landlords who fail to address these issues after proper notice become liable to tenants under the law.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 290: Relating to notice to property owners regarding certain stationary LP-gas installations.

Texas Senate Bill 290 requires applicants for large stationary LP-gas installations (with an aggregate water capacity of 10,000 gallons or more) to mail written notice to all property owners within 500 feet of the proposed site. The notice must be sent via registered/certified mail with proof of delivery, and applicants must retain records of this proof. This applies only to applications filed with the Railroad Commission of Texas on or after the bill’s effective date (September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote for immediate effect). The bill directly affects property owners near proposed installations by mandating advance notification of such projects.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2342: Relating to the application for appointment of a guardian and to requiring criminal history record information and other information in connection with the guardianship of a ward or the ward's estate.

This bill amends Texas guardianship application requirements to mandate more detailed submissions. Applicants must now specify whether alternatives to guardianship were considered, detail the proposed ward's property (including assets and debts), and outline any limitations on rights like voting, driving licenses, or residence decisions. It directly affects individuals seeking guardianship appointments and Texas courts reviewing these applications. The policy change aims to ensure thorough evaluations before court orders are issued.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 816: Relating to authorizing the disclosure of certain electronic customer data by a provider of an electronic communications service or a remote computing service in certain immediate life-threatening situations.

SB 816 allows phone and internet service providers to share certain customer data with government agencies during immediate life-threatening emergencies, such as when there's a genuine belief that someone faces imminent death or serious injury. The bill specifically authorizes disclosure of electronic customer data - like location or communication records - to help prevent harm, provided the provider acts in good faith. It directly affects service providers (e.g., telecom companies) and government responders, while protecting providers from lawsuits for complying with this exception. The law amends Texas criminal procedure code to create this exception, overriding general rules that typically prohibit such data sharing without a court order. This policy change focuses on enabling rapid emergency response, not on broader data privacy or security implications.

Topics ✗ Technology

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1898: Relating to the discharge or use of certain firefighting foams for testing or training.

SB 1898 prohibits the use of firefighting foams containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) during firefighter training or equipment testing, except under specific conditions. It requires fire departments to use non-fluorinated foam or alternatives for all training activities and mandates collection of used training foam. Exceptions are allowed only if the foam discharge is legally required or necessary to meet fire safety standards, and if the facility has proper environmental containment measures. The bill directly affects fire departments, training facilities, and firefighting equipment calibration processes across Texas. It does not ban the sale or manufacture of PFAS-containing foams.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill results