Texas Bills

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 5: Relating to the creation of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

SB 5 creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to accelerate research on dementia causes, prevention, and treatment. The institute will award grants to Texas universities, medical facilities, and research groups to expand dementia-related studies and create jobs. It establishes three committees to oversee funding and research priorities, with the program set to expire on September 1, 2035, unless renewed under Texas law. The bill directly affects Texas research institutions receiving grants and aims to improve dementia health outcomes for state residents. This legislation became law after being signed by the Governor on May 24, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Pat Curry (R) Joan Huffman (R) Todd Hunter (R) Senfronia Thompson (D) Greg Bonnen (R) · 125 co-sponsors

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 1851: Relating to the penalty for noncompliance with certain audit requirements by a municipality.

SB 1851 requires Texas municipalities to complete annual audits and file financial statements by the 180th day after their fiscal year ends. If a municipality misses this deadline, it cannot adopt a property tax rate exceeding its "no-new-revenue tax rate" for the affected tax year and any subsequent year until the audit is completed and filed. The law applies only to tax years beginning on or after September 1, 2025, and became effective immediately after Governor's signature on May 24, 2025. This bill directly affects all Texas municipalities subject to audit requirements under Local Government Code Chapter 103.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 1257: Relating to required health benefit plan coverage for gender transition adverse effects and reversals.

SB 1257 requires health benefit plans covering gender transition procedures to also cover all related adverse effects (including short- or long-term side effects), annual mental and physical health monitoring regardless of gender identity in medical records, and any necessary reversal or reconstruction procedures. This applies to all health plans providing coverage for gender transition care, including Medicaid, employer-sponsored plans, and insurance policies issued by entities like health maintenance organizations. The law mandates this coverage for enrollees who underwent transition procedures, even if they weren’t enrolled at the time of treatment. It does not apply to self-funded plans governed by federal ERISA law.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 842: Relating to immunity for ringside physicians assigned to combative sports events.

SB 842 creates legal immunity for ringside physicians working at combative sports events (like boxing or MMA) in Texas, protecting them from civil lawsuits for actions taken within their professional duties. This applies to all such physicians at these events, except when their conduct involves gross negligence. The law takes effect immediately upon the governor’s signature, which occurred on May 24, 2025. It does not change medical standards but limits civil liability for routine professional actions during events. The bill directly affects physicians employed at these events by reducing their exposure to lawsuits over standard medical care.

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 2007: Relating to the voluntary disclosure by an applicant for registration of a motor vehicle of the applicant's military status.

SB 2007 allows Texas vehicle registration applicants to voluntarily indicate if they are a member of the U.S. armed forces. When disclosed, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles must include this military status in the vehicle's registration records and any related reports released by the department. The bill applies directly to military members registering or renewing vehicle registration in Texas. It does not create new benefits or requirements but adds a disclosure option to existing registration processes, effective September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SCR 4: Designating Pflugerville as the official Trail Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 4) designates Pflugerville as Texas' official "Trail Capital" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It recognizes the city's existing trail network - over 71 miles of public trails, including 56 miles within city limits - with statistics showing Pflugerville has more trails per capita than any other Texas city and 94.8% of residents live within half a mile of a trail. The resolution is purely symbolic and does not create new laws, funding, or obligations; it simply honors Pflugerville's commitment to trail infrastructure under Texas Government Code Section 391.003(e).

signed · Texas · Senate May 24, 2025

SB 2476: Relating to transfer of the ownership rights of the Woodlawn Water Supply Corporation to the Angelina and Neches River Authority.

SB 2476 transfers ownership of the Woodlawn Water Supply Corporation's assets - including water systems, property, and its operating license - to the Angelina and Neches River Authority. This directly affects the Woodlawn Corporation (which will dissolve within 30 days) and its water service customers in the region. The bill requires a formal contract between the two entities to transfer all debts, rights, and obligations, with the River Authority assuming the Corporation's Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (operating license) without additional review. The transfer became effective immediately upon the Governor's signature on May 24, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 56: Designating May as Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Breastfeeding Awareness Month for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 56 is a symbolic resolution designating May as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Breastfeeding Awareness Month" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes the importance of breastfeeding in preventing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening intestinal condition affecting premature infants. The resolution highlights NEC's high mortality rate (10-50%) and emphasizes breastfeeding as a key preventative measure, referencing organizations like the Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas. This designation aims to raise public awareness about NEC and breastfeeding benefits, with no direct policy changes or financial obligations. (Note: As a concurrent resolution, it is procedural and does not require gubernatorial approval beyond the legislative process.)

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 1399: Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail.

HB 1399 creates a property tax exemption for animal feed held by owners for retail sale in Texas. It directly affects agricultural retailers and feed suppliers who currently pay ad valorem (property) taxes on inventory. The bill exempts this inventory from property tax if it's already exempt from sales/use taxes under existing law. The exemption applies only to tax years starting January 1, 2026, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in the November 2025 election. If the amendment fails, the bill has no effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 136: Relating to Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for lactation consultation services.

HB 136 requires Texas Medicaid to reimburse certified lactation consultants for services provided to Medicaid recipients (mothers and infants). It creates a new provider classification specifically for lactation consultants in the Medicaid program, ensuring they can enroll and receive payment for services. The bill defines "lactation consultant" as someone certified by an international or nationally approved program and mandates that the state commission establish this reimbursement pathway. This law took effect September 1, 2025, directly impacting Medicaid-covered breastfeeding support for Texas families.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 2000: Relating to the applicability of sex offender registration requirements to the offense of child grooming.

HB 2000, titled "Audrii's Law," amends Texas law to require sex offender registration for individuals convicted of certain child grooming offenses. Specifically, it adds Section 43.021 (Solicitation of Prostitution) of the Penal Code to the list of offenses triggering registration, but only when the offense is punishable as a second-degree felony. This change directly affects people convicted of soliciting minors for sexual purposes under this specific statute. The law expands existing registration requirements to cover these grooming-related acts, aligning them with other serious sexual offenses. It became effective September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on May 24, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 2723: Relating to the requirement that a person submit an application for an exemption from ad valorem taxation for certain property used for human burial.

This bill requires Texas property appraisers to automatically grant property tax exemptions for land used in human burials under specific conditions. It directly affects owners of burial property who did not submit exemption applications, shifting responsibility from owners to appraisers. The key mechanism mandates that exemptions apply if the appraiser identifies the property through inspection (meeting Section 11.17 criteria), no application was filed, and the owner cannot be identified. This change takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results