HJR 18 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas legislature to set a lower limit on the maximum appraised value used for property taxes on primary residences (homesteads). It would let the legislature cap annual increases at no more than 102% of the previous year's appraised value, instead of the current full market value. This primarily affects homeowners who qualify for the homestead exemption under Texas law. The limit would apply starting the tax year after qualifying for the exemption and expire if the homeowner no longer qualifies for the exemption. The amendment must be approved by voters in the May 2026 election.
HR 17 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives to honor the 13 victims of the June 11-12, 2025, San Antonio flooding. It specifically lists the names of the victims (including Esther Chung, Derwin Anderson, and others) and extends condolences to their families, while acknowledging community resilience. This resolution does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change policies - it serves solely as a symbolic tribute to the victims and their families. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct effect on public policy or regulations.
SB 35 requires youth camps located near rivers, creeks, or streams to equip each overnight cabin with specific emergency safety equipment, including radios for communication, life jackets for every camper, first aid kits, and emergency hammers. Camp operators must store this equipment accessibly and post clear, easy-to-understand instructions for its use in each cabin. The executive commissioner will develop implementing rules to enforce these requirements. This bill applies only to camps using cabins for overnight stays and does not affect other camp facilities or locations not near waterways.
HB 136 establishes the Texas Division of Emergency Management Hill Country 2025 Flood Response Grant Program to provide financial assistance to local governments (including cities, counties, and special districts) in the Hill Country region. The program funds the purchase of interoperable emergency communication equipment (like radios), construction of communication infrastructure, and employee training for first responders. Grants require applicants to submit proposals meeting Division-established criteria and may mandate completion of incident command system training and adoption of standardized emergency procedures. Funds can only be used for flood response-related communication needs, ensuring first responders can effectively communicate during emergencies. The bill creates specific administrative procedures for grant eligibility, award amounts, and contract monitoring.
HB 123 prohibits political subdivisions and private entities receiving state funds from using those funds to pay for lobbying activities. Specifically, it bans spending state funds on lobbying expenses incurred by the recipient, payments to entities required to register with the Texas Ethics Commission, or related parties like employees, contractors, or representatives of associations seeking to influence legislation. The bill applies to expenditures made on or after its effective date, with prior spending governed by existing law. This directly affects organizations that receive state funding and attempt to use those resources for lobbying efforts.
HB 129 requires the state comptroller to dedicate 10% of surplus state revenue exceeding $1.5 billion in each biennium to school district property tax relief. Specifically, if the state has more general revenue than projected at the end of a biennium, the comptroller must deposit 10% of the excess (after required transfers) into a special fund. This fund can only be used to reduce school districts' maintenance and operations property tax rates, directly benefiting school districts and property taxpayers. The bill takes effect for the 2027-2028 biennium and mandates that funds are exclusively for property tax relief, with no other uses permitted.
HB 130 replaces certain school district taxes with a new 6.72% state value added tax (VAT) on businesses selling goods or services for profit. The bill calculates the tax as the difference between taxes businesses pay on purchases (input tax) and taxes they collect on sales (output tax), with exemptions for small businesses, government entities, and nonprofits. It repeals local school district maintenance and operations taxes while excluding financial services, employment, and items already taxed under other laws. The VAT revenue will fund state education, though the bill text cuts off before detailing the full allocation.
HB 131 updates Texas property tax rules for charitable organizations. It requires nonprofits (like hospitals or shelters) that own tax-exempt property to notify tax officials within 30 days of major changes, such as selling the property or losing IRS 501(c)(3) status. For exemptions expiring before January 1, 2026, the bill automatically reinstates them if the organization submits proof of prior exemption and a valid IRS letter, preventing tax liability during the transition. Organizations that paid taxes during the gap between expiration and reinstatement will receive refunds.
This is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) honoring the Burgess family. It pays tribute to John Louis Burgess IV, Julia Walsh Anderson Burgess, John Louis Burgess V, and James Littleton Burgess, who died in the 2025 Hill Country floods. The Texas House of Representatives resolves to extend sympathy to the family, including their daughter Jenna Burgess and surviving relatives. The resolution serves solely as a memorial expression, with no legislative action or policy changes.
HB 124 requires youth camps located within or within five feet of a 100-year floodplain to meet new minimum building standards designed to minimize flood damage to structures. The bill directly affects youth camps in high-risk flood areas by mandating specific construction and maintenance requirements for buildings and facilities. Key provisions include requiring the executive commissioner to establish these flood-resistant building standards through rulemaking. The law aims to prevent flooding of camp buildings and physical facilities in vulnerable floodplain locations, without altering existing camp safety rules for other areas.
This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 14), not a policy bill. It formally congratulates Assistant Chief Ronald "Joe" Clapp on his retirement from the Denison Police Department after 37 years of service. The resolution highlights his career milestones, including promotions, awards, and professional development, and expresses the Texas House of Representatives' appreciation. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any policies or people beyond honoring Clapp personally.
HB 125 amends Texas law to add three specific substances - carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant), mifepristone (a medication used in medical procedures), and misoprostol (a medication used in medical procedures) - to Schedule IV of the Texas Controlled Substances Act. This designation subjects these substances to stricter state-level regulation under Texas law, affecting law enforcement, pharmacies, and healthcare providers who handle them. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date. It does not change federal classifications or existing medical uses of these drugs.
