Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 2029: Relating to vehicle safety inspections of certain travel trailers.

HB 2029 modifies Texas vehicle safety inspection fees for travel trailers by requiring a $7.50 annual fee during registration or renewal. This applies directly to owners of registered travel trailers, semitrailers, and similar vehicles. The bill replaces previous fee structures by adding this specific charge to the standard registration process, as outlined in amended Section 548.510 of the Texas Transportation Code. The change takes effect immediately upon the governor's signature, which occurred on May 29, 2025.

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 3611: Relating to the civil penalty for certain signs placed on the right-of-way of a public road.

HB 3611 sets fines for unauthorized commercial signs placed on public road right-of-ways in Texas. It directly affects businesses or individuals who place such signs without legal authorization. The bill requires local authorities to issue written notice before imposing a first violation fine of up to $1,000, with penalties increasing to $2,500 for a second violation and $5,000 for third or subsequent violations. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to violations occurring after that date.

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 3229: Relating to recycling of certain renewable energy components; authorizing an administrative penalty.

HB 3229 requires recycling facilities handling wind turbine components (like blades and towers), solar equipment (such as panels and inverters), and battery storage systems to submit annual reports detailing unsent materials and recycling costs. Facilities must provide financial assurance equal to 100% of estimated recycling costs through methods like parent company guarantees or bonds. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will maintain a public list of compliant facilities. This law directly affects businesses recycling renewable energy infrastructure, creating new reporting and funding requirements to ensure proper handling of these materials.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 2692: Relating to the San Antonio River Authority.

HB 2692 establishes Chapter 8513 in Texas law specifically for the San Antonio River Authority (SARA). It defines key terms (like "Authority," "Board," and "San Antonio River Basin"), confirms SARA's status as a conservation and reclamation district under the Texas Constitution, and sets its territory to include Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, and Goliad Counties. The bill also requires a Sunset Review of SARA in 2035 (and every 12 years after) and clarifies that SARA's powers do not override the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority without consent. This is a procedural bill that formalizes SARA's legal structure and boundaries without creating new policies or funding.

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 1950: Relating to the consolidated municipal court security and technology fund in certain municipalities.

HB 1950 combines separate municipal court security and technology funds into a single "consolidated fund" for cities with fewer than 100,000 residents. It simplifies fund management by replacing two distinct accounts with one, using existing court cost allocations under Local Government Code Section 134.103. Funds can only be used for court security or technology purposes, as specified in prior law, and must be administered by the city's governing body. This change applies only to smaller municipalities, streamlining how they manage court-related funding without creating new revenue.

signed · Texas · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 1079: Relating to the authority of a county to dispose of sensitive media devices.

SB 1079 allows Texas counties to destroy certain sensitive media devices (like data storage devices containing legally regulated information) that are classified as salvage or surplus property. The bill amends the Local Government Code to permit commissioners courts to order destruction if needed to prevent accidental data disclosure during disposal. It directly affects county governments by expanding their authority over disposal of devices holding legally protected data. The key provision overrides standard disposal procedures (Section 263.152) specifically for devices where data maintenance or disclosure is regulated by law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 3594: Relating to the administration of a retirement health care plan for firefighters and police officers in certain municipalities.

HB 3594 amends Texas law to establish standardized rules for retirement health care benefits for firefighters and police officers in participating municipalities. It defines key terms like "months of service" (excluding unpaid leave or military service without credit) and sets a "default rate" for fund investments. The bill protects retirees' health benefits from being seized by creditors or subject to taxes, ensuring these benefits remain secure. It directly affects current and future retirees, their spouses, and dependents covered under the plan. The law was enacted in May 2025 and applies to health care plans in effect as of October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 1895: Relating to the designation of a portion of State Highway Loop 88 in Lubbock County as the First Responders Memorial Loop.

SB 1895 designates a specific section of State Highway Loop 88 in Lubbock County (the portion under construction as of September 1, 2025, serving as a Lubbock relief route) as the "First Responders Memorial Loop." This memorial honors first responders (including police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) and requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers along the designated highway segment. The bill adds this permanent designation to the highway without altering existing traffic laws or infrastructure.

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 3307: Relating to the continuing education required in order for a person to renew the person's agreement with the comptroller of public accounts to serve as an arbitrator in an appeal through binding arbitration of an appraisal review board order determining a protest.

HB 3307 modifies renewal requirements for property tax arbitrators in Texas. It requires arbitrators who serve in appeals of appraisal review board decisions to complete eight hours of continuing education in arbitration or dispute resolution every two years. Approved sources include universities, real estate associations, or legal associations offering continuing education. The bill also mandates completing a revised state-approved training program on property tax law if updates occur after an arbitrator is added to the registry. This directly affects current and future arbitrators seeking to renew their status with the state tax office.

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 1465: Relating to the prosecution of the criminal offense of invasive visual recording and the applicability of sex offender registration requirements to that offense.

This bill adds invasive visual recording (Section 21.15 of the Texas Penal Code) to the list of offenses requiring mandatory sex offender registration. It directly affects individuals convicted of recording someone without consent in private areas, such as bathrooms or changing rooms. The law expands existing registration requirements by including this specific crime under the definition of "reportable conviction" in the Code of Criminal Procedure. The bill was signed into law on May 29, 2025, and takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 2768: Relating to the development of a state information technology apprenticeship credential offered by public junior colleges or public technical institutes to address shortages in the state information resources workforce.

HB 2768 creates a state-recognized information technology apprenticeship credential through public junior colleges and technical institutes to address shortages in Texas state IT workforce positions. The program requires curriculum approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, develops skills for senior-level IT roles in state agencies, and mandates a one-year apprenticeship with state agencies, major IT projects, or regional security centers. It allows an associate degree combined with this credential to substitute for a bachelor's degree in state career ladder programs. The bill, signed into law on May 29, 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting public colleges offering the credential and state IT workers seeking career advancement.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 3037: Relating to the creation of La Cima Municipal Management District No. 1; providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose assessments, fees, and taxes; granting a limited power of eminent domain.

SB 3037 creates La Cima Municipal Management District No. 1 in San Marcos, Texas, to promote economic development and public welfare within its boundaries. The district will have authority to issue bonds for infrastructure, impose property assessments and fees, and use limited eminent domain to acquire land for public projects. It directly affects property owners in the designated district area by subjecting them to these financial obligations. The bill specifies the district will supplement, not replace, existing city services like public safety and transportation.

Bill results