Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 145: Relating to risk mitigation planning and associated liability for providers of electric service; providing an administrative penalty.

HB 145 requires electric utilities, municipally owned utilities, and electric cooperatives to create wildfire mitigation plans and establishes rules for self-insuring against wildfire-related damages. Utilities may self-insure for certain wildfire damages and catastrophic property losses if the commission approves the plan as cost-effective, in the public interest, and beneficial to ratepayers, but cannot self-insure for wildfires caused by the utility's intentional, reckless, or grossly negligent actions. The commission must prioritize historical wildfire data, actuarial studies, and the risk of multiple disasters when reviewing self-insurance plans. The bill also includes administrative penalties for noncompliance with these requirements.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 143: Relating to the authority of the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to address a failure by an operator to maintain an electrical power line serving a well site or certain surface facilities in accordance with the National Electrical Code.

HB 143 requires oil and gas operators to maintain electrical power lines at well sites and related surface facilities according to the National Electrical Code. Landowners or lessees can report unsafe conditions to the Railroad Commission, which must inspect and notify the Public Utility Commission and operator within three days if a fire or injury risk is found. The Railroad Commission must resolve the issue within 10 days and inform the affected landowner. This law directly affects oil/gas operators, landowners near well sites, and the Railroad Commission and Public Utility Commission of Texas. The bill became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5424: Relating to volunteer firefighter compensation limits.

HB 5424 limits volunteer firefighter compensation by prohibiting fire departments from paying or reimbursing volunteers more than 20% of the highest full-time firefighter salary in their county (or an adjacent county if their county lacks such pay data). This directly affects volunteer firefighters and local fire departments, setting a clear annual cap on their compensation. The bill takes effect September 1, 2026, and amends the Government Code to establish this specific financial threshold. It does not change eligibility for volunteer status but restricts the amount departments can provide to volunteers relative to full-time staff pay.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2560: Relating to creation of the Adopt-a-County Road program.

HB 2560 creates the "Adopt-a-County Road" program, allowing Texas county commissioners courts to partner with donors who fund repairs and maintenance for specific county road sections. Donors receive public recognition through signs installed by the county, and the program requires counties to set minimum donation amounts for recognition. Funds collected under this program must be used exclusively for the designated road section, including maintenance activities outlined in existing transportation codes. The law took effect on September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 1211: Relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for certain students who were under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

HB 1211 creates a tuition and fee exemption for students who were under the conservatorship of Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) at specific points in their lives. It applies to former foster youth who were under DFPS conservatorship on their 18th birthday, during high school graduation, or on the day of adoption (after Sept. 1, 2009), and who enroll in a public Texas college as undergraduates or in dual credit courses by their 25th birthday. The exemption covers tuition and fees charged by public institutions of higher education, including dual credit courses. This policy takes effect September 1, 2025, for the 2025 fall semester.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2963: Relating to diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of certain digital electronic equipment.

HB 2963 creates Chapter 121 in Texas' Business & Commerce Code, requiring manufacturers of digital electronic equipment to provide diagnostic tools and documentation to independent repair providers on "fair and reasonable terms." The law defines "digital electronic equipment" broadly as any product relying on embedded digital electronics to function. It specifically mandates that manufacturers make these tools available without restricting access to only authorized repair providers, ensuring non-manufacturer repair shops can diagnose and fix devices. This directly affects consumers seeking affordable repairs and independent repair businesses, aiming to increase repair accessibility and competition.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 3284: Relating to the creation of the Texas Commission on Marriage and Family.

HB 3284 creates the Texas Commission on Marriage and Family, composed of seven members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and House speaker. The commission must study ways to promote strong marriages and healthy families, identify state policies that discourage marriage or parenting, and make recommendations to the legislature. It requires members to have specific expertise in family law, counseling, child development, or community work supporting families. This procedural bill establishes a study group with no immediate policy changes, focusing instead on research and recommendations to foster an environment supportive of marriage and family formation.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 541: Relating to the provision of direct patient care by physicians and health care practitioners.

HB 541 establishes a legal framework for healthcare providers to offer direct payment models, allowing physicians and non-physician health care practitioners to charge patients directly for services without insurance. It defines "direct fees" as payments like monthly retainers, membership fees, or subscription charges, and creates "direct patient care agreements" requiring written contracts between providers and patients (or their representatives). The bill explicitly includes telemedicine services under this model and clarifies that "health care practitioner" excludes physicians, applying separately to them. This policy change enables providers to structure patient payments outside traditional insurance systems for primary care services.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2127: Relating to the assignment of certain retired and former justices and judges.

Texas Senate Bill 2127 modifies rules for temporarily assigning retired or former judges to active judicial positions. It allows retired or former justices and judges to be assigned to courts of appeals or district courts without a vacancy, provided they meet specific criteria: at least 72 months of prior service (including 48 months in appellate courts), no judicial misconduct history, annual continuing education, and certifications to avoid conflicts of interest (e.g., not representing clients or hearing cases involving former clients). The bill also updates definitions of "retired judge" and eligibility requirements for inclusion on judicial assignment lists. These changes apply only to assignments occurring after the bill’s effective date.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4486: Relating to directing payment, after approval, of certain miscellaneous claims and judgments against the state out of funds designated by this Act; making appropriations.

HB 4486 authorizes specific payments totaling approximately $600,000 to resolve historical claims against the State of Texas, primarily for "replacement of void warrants" related to healthcare services (e.g., Baylor Scott & White Health) and tax refunds. The bill directs these payments from the General Revenue Fund for 15 identified claims, including $251,145.94 to a confidential payee for a void sales tax refund. It does not create new policy or affect ongoing programs, but resolves previously unresolved financial obligations. The bill was signed into law on June 20, 2025, and became effective immediately.

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2513: Relating to a paid leave of absence for public employees serving as fire protection personnel who are engaged in certain military service.

HB 2513 modifies Texas law to adjust how paid leave is calculated for public employees who work as fire protection personnel and serve in military service. It specifies that for these employees, a 24-hour or 48-hour work shift counts as one full workday when determining leave pay under Section 437.202 of the Government Code. This change directly affects Texas public employees in fire protection roles who are called to military duty, ensuring their leave pay aligns with shorter shift schedules. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

signed · Texas · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 4687: Relating to the applicability of certain immunity and liability laws to certain charter school campuses or programs.

HB 4687 amends Texas Education Code to extend the same liability immunity protections to certain charter school campuses and programs as apply to traditional public school districts. Specifically, it grants immunity from lawsuits to charter school employees, volunteers, and governing body members for operations related to adult education programs under their charter, mirroring protections currently available to public school staff. The bill targets charter schools operating under Sections 12.052, 12.0521(a)(1), or 12.053 of the Education Code. This policy change directly affects eligible charter schools and their staff by aligning their legal protections with those of public school districts. The law took effect immediately upon the Governor's signature on June 20, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results