Texas Bills

introduced · Texas · House Jul 30, 2025

HB 231: Relating to restrictions on the use of certain ad valorem tax revenue for the payment of public securities.

HB 231 restricts how local governments in Texas can use certain property tax revenue. Specifically, it prohibits municipalities, counties, and entities like local government corporations from using revenue from property tax elections (for maintenance and operations) to pay for bonds or other public securities, including when that revenue is transferred to such entities. The bill explicitly bans dedicating, pledging, or otherwise using these property tax funds for bond payments, ensuring the revenue stays dedicated to its original purpose. This applies only to bonds issued after the bill takes effect, with no retroactive impact.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Texas · House Jul 30, 2025

HB 234: Relating to making permanent the limitation on increases in the appraised value of certain real property for ad valorem tax purposes.

HB 234 makes permanent a 20% annual limit on increases to the appraised value of non-homestead property (such as commercial or rental properties) for property tax purposes. Currently, this limit expires after 2026, but the bill repeals temporary provisions that would allow it to end, ensuring the cap continues indefinitely. It directly affects property owners of non-primary residences by preventing large annual tax increases tied to rising property values. The bill replaces the temporary 2026 expiration with a permanent policy, though it requires voter approval of a related constitutional amendment to take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

introduced · Texas · Senate Jul 30, 2025

SB 53: Relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and hemp beverages and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; requiring occupational licenses and permits; imposing fees; creating criminal offenses; authorizing civil penalties; imposing taxes.

SB 53 establishes a regulatory framework for hemp-derived consumable products (including edibles and beverages) and the hemp-derived cannabinoids they contain. It requires businesses to obtain occupational licenses and permits, pay associated fees, and comply with new standards, with criminal penalties for violations and civil penalties authorized for non-compliance. The bill also imposes taxes on these products and sets a January 1, 2027, effective date for regulations overseen by a new state agency. This applies directly to businesses producing, selling, or distributing hemp-based consumable products in Texas.

introduced · Texas · House Jul 30, 2025

HB 230: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

HB 230 prohibits local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that hire lobbyists to influence state legislation. The bill specifically bans spending on: (1) hiring registered lobbyists for general lobbying, or (2) funding associations that primarily represent local governments and employ registered lobbyists. Exceptions allow spending for military-related lobbying (e.g., veterans' issues) and for nonprofit staff to provide basic legislative services like tracking bills, analyzing legislation, or testifying before committees. Taxpayers or residents can sue to stop violations and recover legal fees if the local government breaks the rules.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

introduced · Texas · Senate Jul 30, 2025

SB 54: Relating to the regulation of the cultivation, manufacture, processing, distribution, sale, testing, transportation, delivery, transfer, possession, use, and taxation of cannabis and cannabis products and the local regulation of licensed cannabis growers, cannabis establishments, cannabis testing facilities, and cannabis secure transporters; providing for expunction of records relating to certain decriminalized conduct; authorizing the imposition of fees; requiring an occupational license; creating a criminal offense; imposing a tax.

SB 54 establishes comprehensive regulations for cannabis in Texas, creating new rules for businesses that cultivate, sell, or transport cannabis products. It requires occupational licenses for cannabis businesses, imposes taxes on cannabis products, and creates a process to expunge certain past cannabis-related records from criminal files. The bill also defines cannabis and cannabis beverages (excluding hemp products), sets restrictions on cannabis beverages (like no alcohol or caffeine), and creates new criminal penalties for violations. This legislation directly affects cannabis businesses, consumers, and individuals with prior convictions for decriminalized cannabis offenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · Senate Jul 30, 2025

SB 42: Relating to consent towing fees charged during a declared disaster.

SB 42 limits towing fees during declared disasters in Texas. It prohibits towing companies from charging excessive fees for consent tows (where vehicle owners agree to towing) during emergencies declared by the governor or president. County judges can establish specific fee caps for different vehicle types: light-duty (10,000 lbs or less), medium-duty (10,000-25,000 lbs), and heavy-duty (over 25,000 lbs) tows. The bill directly affects towing companies and vehicle owners during disaster events. It takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

introduced · Texas · House Jul 30, 2025

HB 229: Relating to the Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program; authorizing a civil penalty.

This bill establishes the Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program to provide financial assistance to residents impacted by the July 2025 Hill Country floods. It authorizes reimbursement for property losses and offers incentives for rebuilding above flood levels or in safer locations to reduce future risks. The Texas Division of Emergency Management will administer the program, requiring online applications with verified insurance claim denials (within 15 days) and application decisions within 30 days, plus annual audits of 15% of awarded funds. The program expires September 1, 2035, unless renewed by the legislature.

introduced · Texas · House Jul 30, 2025

HJR 29: Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to make permanent the limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes.

HJR 29 proposes a constitutional amendment to make permanent a current limit on the appraised value used to calculate property taxes for non-homestead real estate (such as rental properties, commercial buildings, or second homes) in Texas. It repeals Section 1(n-1) of Article VIII of the Texas Constitution, which currently sets a temporary cap on these appraisals. If approved by voters in the May 2, 2026 election, this change would eliminate the need for the legislature to periodically renew this limit. The bill directly affects property owners of non-primary residences subject to ad valorem (property) taxes.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Texas · House Jul 30, 2025

HR 49: Congratulating Aristoi Classical Academy on being named Best Charter School in the Houston Chronicle's 2025 Best of the Best list.

HR 49 is a ceremonial resolution introduced by Representative Schofield to congratulate Aristoi Classical Academy on being named Best Charter School in the Houston Chronicle's 2025 Best of the Best list. The resolution formally recognizes the school's achievement and directs the Texas House of Representatives to provide an official copy of the resolution to the academy as a gesture of appreciation. This resolution does not create new laws or affect policy; it is a symbolic acknowledgment of the school's educational accomplishments.

introduced · Texas · House Jul 30, 2025

HR 50: Commemorating the third annual Cindy Walker Days event in Mexia and commending Texas A&M University for its partnership with the Cindy Walker Foundation.

This resolution commemorates the third annual Cindy Walker Days event held in Mexia on July 19, 2025, which celebrated the legacy of country music songwriter Cindy Walker. It also commends Texas A&M University for partnering with the Cindy Walker Foundation to restore Walker's historic home in Mexia using 3D scanning technology. The resolution honors Walker's contributions to country music, including songs like "You Don't Know Me" and "Dream Baby," and recognizes the festival's role in supporting community tourism. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policy.

in committee · Texas · House Jul 30, 2025

HJR 1: Proposing a constitutional amendment specifying the authority of the attorney general to prosecute a criminal offense prescribed by the election laws of this state.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to clarify that the Texas Attorney General has equal authority with county or district attorneys to prosecute criminal violations of state election laws. It would amend Article IV, Section 22 of the Texas Constitution to explicitly grant the Attorney General "concurrent jurisdiction" in such cases. If approved by voters in the 2026 election, this change would directly affect how election-related criminal cases are handled across Texas, ensuring the state attorney general can participate alongside local prosecutors. The amendment does not create new election crimes but specifies existing prosecutorial authority.

in committee · Texas · House Jul 30, 2025

HB 13: Relating to the provision by a political subdivision of credits against impact fees to builders and developers for certain water conservation and reuse projects.

HB 13 requires local governments in Texas to offer credits against water and wastewater impact fees to builders and developers who construct eligible water conservation or reuse projects. These credits apply to projects that reduce water consumption, decrease wastewater infrastructure needs, or improve stormwater management through efficiency measures. Local governments must establish fair procedures to calculate, apply, and approve these credits. The bill directly affects developers building new projects and local governments managing development fees.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results