Texas Bills

passed · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 1015: Relating to excess contributions and fees allocated to statutory probate courts.

SB 1015 would require the Texas comptroller to redistribute excess fees collected by county probate courts. If total fees paid to the judicial fund exceed amounts needed for court operations (calculated under specific sections), the comptroller must send the excess proportionally back to counties that contributed more than their share. This applies to all statutory probate courts statewide and affects counties that collect these fees. The bill would take effect September 1, 2025, for fees collected on or after that date. (Note: The bill was reported adversely by the Senate Jurisprudence Committee on April 30, 2025.)

passed · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 2681: Relating to the basis for a third-party challenge to a voter's registration.

SB 2681 amends Texas Election Code Section 16.092 to require anyone challenging a voter's registration to submit a written, sworn statement detailing specific reasons for the challenge. The statement must identify the voter and state a clear, verifiable qualification the voter failed to meet - either based on the challenger's personal knowledge or a fact from a reliable source (like public records). This directly affects voters whose registrations are challenged and the third parties (such as other voters or organizations) attempting to challenge them. The bill aims to prevent vague or unsubstantiated challenges by mandating specific, factual grounds. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 1447: Relating to standards adopted by the Texas Education Agency regarding the use of electronic devices and software applications by public schools.

SB 1447 requires the Texas Education Agency to create standards for public schools using electronic devices and software. It mandates that schools minimize student data collection, obtain direct parental consent for most apps (except essential testing tools), and prohibit apps from conducting unauthorized mental health assessments. The bill also requires schools to provide parents with cybersecurity resources, set device deactivation periods for safety, and consider age-appropriate device use in classrooms. These standards apply directly to all Texas public school districts and charter schools, affecting how they manage student technology access.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Technology

passed · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 898: Relating to the allocation of low income housing tax credits.

SB 898 limits the amount of low-income housing tax credits Texas can allocate per application. It caps total credits at $6 million per application round and $2 million per individual development. These rules apply only to applications submitted under the 2026 qualified allocation plan or later cycles, while older applications follow previous laws. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects developers seeking tax credits for affordable housing projects through the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Housing

passed · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 1919: Relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation to settle certain claims.

Texas Senate Bill 1919 changes the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) authority to settle certain claims. It lowers the financial threshold from $100,000 to $10,000 for TxDOT to settle claims where it might be liable under state law, without requiring additional approvals. The bill requires TxDOT’s director to determine that a settlement is in the department’s best interest. This directly affects TxDOT and individuals or entities filing smaller claims against the agency. The change takes effect September 1, 2025.

passed · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 1784: Relating to notice provided by a health care provider before initiating debt collection against a patient.

SB 1784 requires Texas health care providers to provide patients with written notice at least 60 days before initiating debt collection for unpaid health care services or supplies. This applies to all health care providers collecting patient debts, directly affecting both providers and patients facing billing disputes. The law mandates the notice must be sent in writing before any collection action begins, giving patients time to address the debt. The requirement takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to debt collection efforts started on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Texas · House May 26, 2025

HB 180: Relating to border protection agreements between this state and the United Mexican States.

HB 180 authorizes the Texas governor to negotiate and implement border protection agreements with the United Mexican States (Mexico) to enhance Texas's ability to secure its borders. The bill establishes a legal framework allowing the governor to appoint coordinators who will work with Mexican authorities to develop these agreements, subject to Texas state laws governing employees. This legislation directly affects Texas citizens by strengthening border security measures and Mexican authorities through formal coordination mechanisms. The bill does not alter immigration laws but creates a structured process for cross-border collaboration on border protection.

Topics ✗ Immigration

passed · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 2721: Relating to the deceased, including requirements for donating or claiming bodies or anatomical specimens, the licensing and regulation of persons who provide services or conduct education or research in relation to the deceased, and responsibilities of political subdivisions for certain bodies after death; creating criminal offenses; authorizing administrative penalties; requiring occupational licenses; authorizing fees.

Texas Senate Bill 2721 establishes new licensing and regulatory requirements for entities handling human bodies or anatomical specimens for educational or research purposes. It creates definitions for "human body acquisition services," "non-transplant anatomical donation organizations," and "willed body programs," requiring these entities to obtain licenses, maintain secure electronic records with unique identifiers for body parts, and update a commission database tracking each specimen’s location. The bill directly affects institutions of higher education operating body donation programs, research facilities, and organizations that collect, process, or distribute bodies or body parts for medical training. Violations of the law are classified as state jail felonies, with the Texas Funeral Service Commission authorized to enforce these rules and revoke licenses for noncompliance.

passed · Texas · House May 26, 2025

HR 1357: In memory of retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Jesse Chargualaf.

HR 1357 is a ceremonial resolution honoring retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Jesse Chargualaf, recognizing his military service, community involvement, and personal life. It commemorates his 30-year career in the Army (including service with the Green Berets and in Vietnam), his work as a property manager in Austin, and his family life, without enacting any new laws or policies. The resolution, adopted by the Texas House of Representatives on May 26, 2025, extends sympathy to his family and directs that the resolution be presented to them. This is purely a tribute with no direct impact on constituents or policy.

passed · Texas · House May 26, 2025

HB 4582: Relating to reimbursement of infrastructure costs incurred by a developer of certain housing developments by certain municipalities and counties.

HB 4582 proposes a reimbursement program for developers who build infrastructure (like roads, water, and sewer systems) for qualifying "attainable housing developments" in specific Texas counties and municipalities. It applies only to developments meeting strict criteria: at least 7 acres with 50+ single-family homes (each 1,000+ sq ft), connected to public utilities, governed by property owner agreements, and offering units to veterans/military, first responders, or school employees. Developers must prove the infrastructure would have been built by the municipality/county otherwise, and comply with federal tenant protections. This bill, currently pending in committee, aims to reduce developer costs for housing projects in targeted high-population areas.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

passed · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 1612: Relating to construction contract trust funds.

SB 1612 exempts certain construction funds from trust account requirements. It specifically removes the trust fund status for money reserved under Section 53.101 when used for building or repairing single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, or quadruplexes (up to four units) for residential use. This change directly affects residential contractors and homeowners by simplifying financial handling for smaller housing projects. The bill applies only to contracts signed on or after September 1, 2025, and adds provisions for attorney fees if beneficiaries win trust fund disputes.

passed · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 628: Relating to the administration and enforcement of a county fire code.

This bill allows Texas counties to contract with local municipalities or emergency services districts to administer and enforce county fire codes, rather than handling it directly. It directly affects counties, their municipalities, and emergency services districts by changing how fire code enforcement is managed. The key provision requires county fire marshals to delegate enforcement to contracted entities under written agreements, as specified in the bill's amendments to local government code. The changes take effect on September 1, 2025.

Bill results