Texas Bills

passed · Texas · House May 27, 2025

HB 748: Relating to the enforceability of certain nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions with respect to an act of sexual abuse.

HB 748, known as Trey's Law, prohibits the enforcement of confidentiality clauses in agreements that prevent disclosure of sexual abuse. The bill makes any provision in settlement, employment, or other agreements that blocks someone from sharing details about sexual abuse (including the act itself, identity of victims/perpetrators, or related facts) void and unenforceable. However, it does not restrict confidentiality around other settlement terms, such as payment amounts. For agreements signed before the law's effective date (September 1, 2025), parties must first obtain a court declaration confirming the clause's enforceability to avoid being voided.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2035: Relating to prohibiting contributions, expenditures, and related activities involving political committees that support or oppose a ballot measure; creating a criminal offense; providing a civil penalty.

SB 2035 prohibits political committees from making contributions, expenditures, or related activities supporting or opposing ballot measures (such as proposed state laws or constitutional amendments). It directly affects political committees and individuals seeking to influence voter decisions on these measures. The bill creates criminal penalties for violations and imposes civil fines. Its key purpose is to limit financial influence on ballot measure campaigns by banning specific political spending related to them.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 310: Relating to the determination of a majority vote in certain elections.

Texas Senate Bill 310 (SB 310) changes how majority votes are counted in certain elections. It requires candidates for public office or party nominations to receive more than half of the votes cast in the initial ballot - banning the use of ranked-choice voting systems to reassign votes and determine a majority. The bill directly affects elections for Texas state offices and political party nominations where a majority is required. It takes effect on September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SR 586: Recognizing G. David Smith for becoming president-elect of the State Bar of Texas.

This is a ceremonial resolution (SR 586), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes G. David Smith of Rockwall for being named president-elect of the State Bar of Texas. The resolution, adopted by the Texas Senate on May 27, 2025, congratulates him on this appointment and directs that an official copy be sent to him as a gesture of the Senate's high regard. It does not affect any laws, policies, or individuals beyond this recognition.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SR 524: Recognizing the revitalization efforts at Rio Vista Farm on the occasion of Preservation Month 2025.

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 524), not a law. It honors the City of Socorro's efforts to revitalize Rio Vista Farm, a National Historic Landmark designated in 2023. The resolution recognizes the site's history as a 1951-1964 Bracero Program processing center (which served hundreds of thousands of Mexican laborers) and its planned transformation into a public museum and education center through a $35 million rehabilitation project. The Texas Senate formally expresses support for this preservation work during Preservation Month 2025.

passed both · Texas · House May 27, 2025

HB 2427: Relating to the issuance of and fee for a permit for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles on certain routes in Hidalgo County and the use of those fees for the payment of the costs of constructing and maintaining certain of those routes.

HB 2427 creates a permit system for oversize and overweight vehicles traveling on specific routes in Hidalgo County, including roads near the Pharr-Reynosa and Anzalduas international bridges and key local corridors like FM 1016 and US 281. It establishes fees for these permits, requiring all collected revenue to fund the construction and maintenance of the exact routes covered by the permit program. The bill directly affects commercial trucking companies operating in these areas and ensures fees are dedicated solely to improving the infrastructure they use. This targeted funding mechanism aims to address road wear from heavy vehicles while providing a clear revenue stream for local transportation needs. The bill passed in May 2025 after amendments.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SR 583: Recognizing the LOVB Austin Volleyball Women's professional team's championship win at the LOVB Pro Finals.

This Senate Resolution (SR 583) formally recognizes the LOVB Austin Volleyball women's team for winning the inaugural LOVB Pro Finals championship in April 2025. The resolution acknowledges their "impressive reverse-sweep" victory at the league's first championship event, where they entered as the fifth seed. It specifically commends the team's achievements, noting their representation of Texas and their role in advancing volleyball through the LOVB Pro league. The resolution, adopted by the Texas Senate, will be presented to the team as a formal expression of commendation.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SR 585: Recognizing May 27, 2025, as Western Swing Day.

This is a ceremonial resolution (SR 585) designating May 27, 2025, as "Western Swing Day" in Texas. It recognizes Western swing music - a Texas-originated genre popularized in the 1930s by musicians like Bob Wills and Milton Brown - as an important part of the state's cultural heritage. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes; it solely celebrates the music's historical significance and role in Texas community life.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 552: Relating to changing the eligibility of certain persons to receive community supervision, including deferred adjudication community supervision.

SB 552 amends Texas law to explicitly disqualify individuals classified as "illegal aliens" from receiving community supervision, including deferred adjudication. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or failed to maintain nonimmigrant status. The bill adds this as a new eligibility barrier in multiple sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure (e.g., Article 42A.053(c), 42A.056, 42A.102(b), and 42A.551). This change directly affects non-citizens convicted of crimes who meet the defined "illegal alien" criteria. The law applies only to offenses committed on or after the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SR 581: In memory of Blaine Hal Bull.

This is a commemorative Senate Resolution (SR 581) honoring Blaine Hal Bull, a former legislative director, campaign manager, and business leader who died on April 19, 2025. The resolution expresses the Texas Senate's condolences to his family and commemorates his life, career, and personal legacy - including his 42-year marriage, three children, and two grandchildren. It does not create any new laws, policies, or direct effects on individuals or groups. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 27, 2025, and includes a formal adjournment in his memory.

passed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SR 582: In memory of Thomas Everett Spender.

This is a Senate Resolution (SR 582) honoring Thomas Everett Spencer, a longtime Austin resident, public television host, and environmental advocate who died on April 2, 2025. The resolution commemorates his life, career (including hosting "Central Texas Gardener" and a radio show), and community service with organizations like TreeFolks. It expresses the Texas Senate's condolences to his family and directs that the resolution be presented to them. The Senate adopted this resolution on May 27, 2025, as a formal tribute with no new policy or funding changes.

passed · Texas · House May 27, 2025

HCR 40: Urging Congress to reimburse the State of Texas for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star.

HCR 40 is a Texas legislative resolution urging Congress to reimburse the state for border security costs incurred under Operation Lone Star. It states Texas has spent billions since 2021 on this initiative - including surveillance, law enforcement support, and managing migration - resulting in over 516,000 apprehensions and 45,300 arrests. The resolution formally requests Congress assume responsibility for border security costs, directing Texas officials to send copies to the U.S. President and congressional leaders. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create law but serves as a formal request to federal lawmakers.

Topics ✗ Immigration

Bill results