Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 1729: Relating to a limitation on the number of terms a person may serve as a commissioner of Port Freeport.

HB 1729 limits commissioners of Port Freeport to serving no more than two full terms. The bill prohibits anyone who has completed two or more full terms from running for re-election, though filling a vacancy (without completing a full term) does not count toward this limit. This change applies to terms beginning after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, for future elections at Port Freeport.

signed · Texas · House May 29, 2025

HB 5061: Relating to prohibiting certain activities by contractors and vendors of state agencies; providing administrative penalties.

HB 5061, the Texas Integrity in State Contracting and Privacy Protection Act, prohibits state agency contractors and vendors from engaging in specific harmful activities. It bans surveillance targeting legislators, their families, state employees, or whistleblowers; intimidation or coercion to silence concerns; and misuse of private information to influence contracting decisions. Contractors violating these rules face administrative penalties enforced by the state auditor’s office. The law applies to all state agency contracts, including those managed by the comptroller or universities, and takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 3029: Relating to the powers and duties of the Far North Fort Worth Municipal Utility District No. 1 of Tarrant and Wise Counties; providing authority to establish defined areas and to impose a tax and issue bonds.

SB 3029 allows the Far North Fort Worth Municipal Utility District No. 1 (serving Tarrant and Wise Counties) to establish specific service areas - potentially noncontiguous tracts - and impose local taxes or issue bonds to fund improvements (like water or sewer infrastructure) that primarily benefit those designated areas. It overrides a standard acreage requirement in Texas Water Code, permitting the district to finance projects that directly serve targeted properties rather than the entire district. This bill specifically modifies the district’s authority under existing law, with no impact on other districts or statewide policy. The changes apply only to this single utility district’s operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · House May 28, 2025

HB 3526: Relating to fiscal transparency for bonds issued by local governmental entities.

HB 3526 requires local governments in Texas to report bond election details and bond issuance information to the Bond Review Board. The bill mandates a publicly searchable online database showing bond principal amounts, estimated interest, total repayment costs, and annual debt service requirements for all local government bonds. Local governments must submit pre-election reports (20 days before voting) and post-election reports (20 days after voting) detailing bond propositions, costs, and election results. This affects all cities, counties, and school districts issuing bonds, making bond financial data accessible to the public starting September 1, 2025. The law aims to increase transparency around local bond financing and voter decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · House May 28, 2025

HB 1689: Relating to the use of certain groundwater export fees collected by a groundwater conservation district.

HB 1689 restricts how groundwater conservation districts in Texas can use funds from increased groundwater export fees collected after January 1, 2024. Districts may only spend these funds on: maintaining wells affected by groundwater development (including outside their district), developing alternative water supplies, or conducting aquifer monitoring and science. The bill requires districts to enter into formal agreements with other districts if they want to use these funds to maintain wells located in a different district. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects groundwater conservation districts managing export fee revenues.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Texas · House May 28, 2025

HCR 126: Designating Corrigan as the official Timber Products Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 126 designates Corrigan, Texas as the state's official Timber Products Capital for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes Corrigan's historical role in Texas' timber industry, including its current four major timber production facilities and commitment to sustainable forestry practices. The designation does not create new policies, funding, or obligations - it is purely an official acknowledgment of Corrigan's economic significance to the timber sector.

signed · Texas · House May 28, 2025

HB 1151: Relating to neglect of a child and the grounds for termination of the parent-child relationship and possession of a child by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

HB 1151 amends Texas law to clarify that specific parental actions cannot be used as evidence for terminating a parent-child relationship. The bill explicitly states that factors like homeschooling, economic hardship, religiously-based medical decisions (such as declining vaccines), or seeking multiple medical opinions do not constitute clear and convincing evidence for termination. It also updates the definition of "neglect" to require proof of "blatant disregard" for consequences causing immediate harm or danger to a child. This change directly affects parents, children, and the Department of Family and Protective Services in child welfare cases by setting clearer boundaries for when parental rights may be terminated.

signed · Texas · House May 28, 2025

HB 2809: Relating to required reporting by the Department of Family and Protective Services regarding youth in the managing conservatorship of the department who attempt suicide.

HB 2809 requires the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to annually publish a detailed report on youth in its conservatorship, including data on children with severe emotional disturbances (point 10), pregnant or parenting youth in care (point 11), and children missing from substitute care (point 12). The report must be published electronically by December 1 each year and made publicly accessible. This affects the department (which must collect and report this data) and the public (which gains transparency into foster care outcomes). The bill, signed into law May 28, 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · House May 28, 2025

HB 1327: Relating to the continuation of a health care provider participation program by the Harris County Hospital District.

HB 1327 extends the expiration date of the Harris County Hospital District's healthcare provider participation program from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2027. This change directly affects the Harris County Hospital District and healthcare providers participating in its program, ensuring continued operation of the initiative. The bill amends Section 299.004 of the Health and Safety Code to adjust the program's expiration date and the chapter's effective period. The legislation passed both chambers with unanimous support and took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on May 28, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 2284: Relating to the authority of a municipality or county to regulate certain matters related to firearms, air guns, archery equipment, and other weapons and related supplies.

SB 2284 limits Texas municipalities and counties from regulating specific firearm-related activities. It prohibits local governments from adopting rules about firearm transfers, possession, storage, transportation, licensing, registration, or commerce - covering firearms, air guns, archery equipment, and related supplies. The bill also bans requirements for liability insurance for negligent firearm use. However, it allows local regulations on discharge at non-shooting-range locations, zoning, fire codes, and carrying restrictions at public parks or events. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor on May 28, 2025.

signed · Texas · House May 28, 2025

HB 1610: Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of certain provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, including conforming amendments.

HB 1610 adds new chapters (5A, 9A, 49A, 50A) to Texas' Code of Criminal Procedure focused on family violence cases. It establishes specific duties for peace officers (like prioritizing victim protection regardless of relationship), prohibits delays in criminal prosecutions based on civil proceedings, and bans referrals to mediation in criminal cases. The bill affects law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and courts handling family violence allegations by clarifying procedural requirements. It reorganizes existing law without changing substantive penalties or creating new offenses, primarily streamlining how family violence cases are investigated and prosecuted.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House May 28, 2025

HCR 75: Designating Hemphill as the official Bass Fishing Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 75 designates Hemphill, Texas, as the "Official Bass Fishing Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes Hemphill's location between Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn Reservoirs - ranked among the nation's top bass fishing sites by Bassmaster Magazine - and its role as a hub for fishing-related businesses and conservation efforts. The designation, authorized under Section 391.003(e) of the Texas Government Code, has no new funding or regulatory requirements. It serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of Hemphill's cultural and economic ties to bass fishing, with no direct impact on state laws or policies.

Bill results