Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2361: Relating to the transfer of the University of Houston--Victoria to The Texas A&M University System.

SB 2361 transfers governance, control, management, and property of the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System. This change makes UHV a component institution of the Texas A&M System, placing it under the oversight of the Texas A&M Board of Regents, which will assume all governing powers and duties. Existing rules and contracts for UHV remain in effect until the Texas A&M Board adopts new policies. The bill directly affects UHV's operations, staff, students, and the administrative structures of both university systems.

signed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1012: Relating to authorizing the sale or lease by the State of Texas of certain real property located in Austin, Texas.

This bill authorizes the State of Texas to sell or lease two specific properties in Austin: 20.31 acres at 4400 Shoal Creek Boulevard (used by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission) and approximately 7.5 acres near Lamar Boulevard. Proceeds from these transactions must be deposited into a dedicated fund for capital improvements to the Sam Houston Regional Library and the Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives Building. The sale or lease is contingent on constructing a new state records facility to replace the current library/records site. The fund will also support making original historical materials more publicly accessible.

signed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2306: Relating to the provision of adoption cost information by a licensed child-placing agency.

SB 2306 requires licensed child-placing agencies in Texas to post an itemized list of all adoption costs on their public website. This applies directly to adoption agencies, making cost transparency mandatory for prospective adoptive families. The law mandates that agencies display every cost associated with an adoption, such as fees, legal expenses, or agency charges, in a clear, itemized format. It takes effect on September 1, 2025, and is now law after being signed by the Governor on May 27, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1886: Relating to the execution of a search warrant for taking a blood specimen from certain persons in certain intoxication offenses.

This bill modifies Texas law to allow peace officers to execute search warrants for blood specimens in intoxication offense cases (like DUI) across adjacent counties, rather than being restricted to the issuing county. It also permits any law enforcement officer authorized to make arrests in the executing county to carry out these warrants. The change applies only to warrants issued on or after September 1, 2025, with existing warrants governed by prior law. It directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals suspected of offenses under Penal Code sections 49.04-49.08.

signed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 455: Relating to arbitration provisions in certain surplus lines insurance contracts.

SB 455 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (for risks wholly located in Texas) include arbitration agreements conducted in Texas under Texas law, unless both insurer and policyholder agree to change the venue after the insurer provides written notice and a premium credit for added costs. This applies to new or renewed contracts on or after January 1, 2026, affecting insurers and policyholders purchasing specialized insurance for high-risk properties in Texas. The bill ensures arbitration venues and legal interpretations remain tied to Texas, preventing out-of-state arbitration without financial compensation to policyholders. It becomes effective September 1, 2025, but the new rules apply to contracts delivered after 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2420: Relating to the regulation of platforms for the sale and distribution of software applications for mobile devices.

SB 2420 requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages using reasonable methods and assign them to specific categories: child (<13), younger teenager (13-15), older teenager (16-17), or adult (18+). It mandates parental consent for minors' accounts and defines key terms like "personal data" and "mobile device." The law directly affects app store operators serving Texas residents, with requirements taking effect January 1, 2026. This bill creates the "App Store Accountability Act" within Texas law to regulate age-based access to mobile applications.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2269: Relating to dispute resolution for and enforcement actions against certain long-term care facilities.

SB 2269 modifies dispute resolution and enforcement procedures for Texas long-term care facilities, specifically nursing facilities. It requires that decisions from informal dispute resolution processes between facilities and the state commission are binding on the commission, preventing the commission from overturning them. The bill also prohibits the commission from taking adverse actions against facilities that appeal decisions or take good-faith actions to counter commission actions, defining "retaliation" as such adverse responses. Additionally, it clarifies that the commission cannot impose multiple penalties for the same violation under state or federal law. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 1355: Relating to liquor sales on credit by the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit to a wholesaler.

SB 1355 requires distillers and rectifiers (businesses with specific liquor permits) to provide invoices detailing liquor purchases to wholesalers within 30 days of delivery. Wholesalers must pay these invoices within 30 days of receiving the invoice, or the distiller may report the unpaid account to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The Commission will maintain a public list of delinquent wholesalers and may deny permit renewals, transfers, or cancellations for permit holders with unpaid accounts under this section. This bill directly affects distillers/rectifiers and wholesalers by creating clear payment deadlines and linking permit status to timely payment of liquor purchases.

signed · Texas · House May 26, 2025

HCR 66: Congratulating Tevis and Patricia Herd of Midland on their 60th wedding anniversary.

HCR 66 is a ceremonial concurrent resolution congratulating Harvey Tevis Herd and Patricia Parker Herd of Midland on their 60th wedding anniversary. It formally recognizes their marriage since 1964, their family, and their community service through organizations like The Springboard Center and Tarleton State University's Daniel Parker Herd Scholarship. The resolution has no policy impact or binding effect - it simply expresses the Texas Legislature's goodwill and best wishes. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any specific group.

signed · Texas · House May 26, 2025

HB 1109: Relating to an exemption from certain motor fuel taxes for counties in this state.

HB 1109 exempts gasoline purchased by counties in Texas for their own exclusive use from state motor fuel taxes. This change amends the Texas Tax Code (Section 162.104(a)) by adding a new exemption category specifically for counties, listed as item (2-a). The bill directly affects county governments, allowing them to avoid paying state taxes on fuel used in their operations. This is a concrete policy change to reduce costs for local government vehicle operations, with no other provisions or outcomes speculated.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · House May 26, 2025

HB 206: Relating to a limitation on a county's authority to require a cash bond before approving the construction of a pipeline.

HB 206 prohibits Texas counties from requiring pipeline companies to post a cash bond as a condition for approving pipeline construction within county boundaries. The bill directly affects pipeline developers seeking county permits, eliminating a financial barrier they previously faced. It takes effect September 1, 2025, applying only to new pipeline construction applications filed on or after that date. This policy change removes a specific county-level requirement, streamlining the approval process for pipeline projects.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

signed · Texas · House May 26, 2025

HB 2081: Relating to the establishment of the Building Better Futures Program to support educational and occupational skills training opportunities and support services for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at public and private institutions of higher education.

HB 2081 establishes the Building Better Futures Program to provide educational and occupational skills training for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at Texas public and private colleges. The program requires participating institutions to have U.S. Department of Education approval for transition programs, implement selective admissions, and award certificates upon completion. It exempts participating programs from certain existing education code requirements (Sections 61.0512 and 61.822) and creates a competitive funding process administered by the Texas Education Agency. The bill directly affects students with disabilities seeking inclusive higher education opportunities and the institutions offering these specialized programs, effective immediately after the Governor signed it on May 26, 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results