HB 240 proposes a limit on how much the appraised value of a primary residence (homestead) can increase for property tax purposes in Texas. It would cap annual increases at either 5% of the previous year's appraised value plus that value plus new improvements, or the previous year's market value - whichever is lower. This rule applies to homeowners who own their primary residence as of January 1 of the tax year. The bill modifies Texas Tax Code Section 23.23 to implement this limitation, affecting residential property owners seeking to avoid rapid tax increases.
HB 239 requires youth camps and campus programs for minors in Texas to create and maintain emergency response plans following existing standards for youth camps. Program operators must develop plans covering disaster response, communication, and risk reduction, then submit them for review by the state division. The division evaluates plans based on specific criteria like response effectiveness and facility safety, with a 30-day window to revise plans if needed. This bill applies existing Health and Safety Code requirements (Sec. 141.0091-0093) to campus programs, ensuring they meet the same emergency preparedness standards as youth camps.
HB 237 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study whether new standards are needed for placing recreational vehicles and temporary dwellings (like tiny homes or mobile structures) in flood hazard areas. The study must assess risks and consult with FEMA and other agencies, with a final report due by January 1, 2027, including legislative recommendations. This bill does not create immediate rules but aims to inform future policy for communities in flood-prone zones. It expires February 1, 2027, and takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.
HB 236 requires flood-prone counties (those with a declared storm or flood disaster in the past decade) to join the National Weather Service's StormReady program within two years of a disaster declaration. Counties must complete the program by this deadline and renew their StormReady recognition every four years. The law applies to all qualifying counties and takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends. This is a procedural requirement for emergency preparedness, not a new policy.
HJR 30 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas legislature to limit annual increases in the taxable value of most real property (including homesteads) for property tax purposes. It would authorize capping the appraised value at 105% (or a higher percentage) of the previous year's value, rather than the full market value. This would directly affect homeowners, particularly those in rapidly appreciating markets, by potentially stabilizing annual tax bills. The amendment requires voter approval in the May 2026 election and would take effect in the tax year following its implementation.
HB 238 prohibits retailers (such as bars, restaurants, or cafes) from selling or providing hookahs to anyone under 21 years old, creating a Class C misdemeanor offense for violations. It requires businesses to verify a customer’s age using valid government-issued ID (like a driver’s license or passport) before selling hookahs, with exceptions for military IDs for those aged 18-21. The bill also prohibits sales to individuals under 30 without age verification. This directly affects businesses that sell or serve hookahs on-site, requiring them to implement ID checks to avoid criminal penalties.
SB 55 prohibits courts from certifying class actions when patients sue healthcare providers for damages resulting from cyber attacks that exposed protected health information. The bill specifically applies to cases where a cyber attack causes the disclosure of patient health data, such as medical records or personal identifiers. Healthcare entities (like hospitals or clinics) targeted in such lawsuits would no longer face consolidated class action claims, requiring individual lawsuits instead. This change directly affects how patients can pursue legal action after healthcare data breaches caused by cyber attacks.
This resolution (HR 56) formally commemorates the 55-year history of the Texas Rice Festival in Winnie, Texas, by endorsing the placement of an Official Texas Historical Marker. It recognizes the festival's origins in 1970, its role in celebrating rice farming since the early 1900s, and its community contributions including over $1 million in scholarships and donations. The resolution directs the Texas House of Representatives to provide an official copy to festival organizers as a gesture of recognition. It is a ceremonial resolution with no new policy or funding impact, solely honoring the festival's cultural and economic significance.
HR 52 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Leslea Hoffpauir for her role as cofounder and president of the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) at International Leadership of Texas Aggieland High School in College Station. It recognizes her volunteer work organizing school events (including homecoming, prom, and a fall festival called "Spooktacular"), fundraising, and community engagement since the school's 2021 opening. This resolution does not create new laws or policy changes; it is a formal expression of appreciation from the Texas House of Representatives. The resolution was filed on July 31, 2025, and has no legislative effect beyond recognition.
HB 241 requires Texas' Railroad Commission to establish a policy eliminating routine natural gas flaring (burning off excess gas not collected for sale) from oil wells and regulated facilities by December 31, 2031. The policy may use regulations, incentives, or voluntary measures, with interim goals for specific wells or operators. It permits flaring only for safety emergencies or purposes authorized under existing rules (Section 86.185), while prohibiting extended flaring for non-emergency purposes. This directly affects oil and gas operators regulated by the Railroad Commission.
SB 56 amends Texas Family Code sections 107.013 and 107.015 to clarify court appointments and compensation for attorneys representing parents in child custody cases filed by government entities. It requires courts to appoint court-appointed lawyers for specific groups, including indigent parents opposing termination, parents served by publication, and fathers with unknown identities or unverified paternity registry addresses. The bill changes payment rules, directing counties to cover fees for these lawyers from general funds (not parents) using a standardized fee schedule, instead of relying on parent payments. This ensures consistent representation for vulnerable parents in cases initiated by government agencies like child welfare offices.
SB 57 amends Texas water law to regulate large-scale groundwater transfers outside a local water district's boundaries. It requires groundwater conservation districts to obtain approval from at least two-thirds of neighboring districts in the region before issuing permits for wells producing 25,000+ gallons of water daily. Exceptions apply for potable water transfers to utilities within their service areas or emergency water interconnects between utilities. The rule applies only to permits issued after the bill's effective date (91 days post-legislative session). This change affects district permitting decisions but does not alter water rights.
