Texas Bills

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 12: Designating September as Deaf Awareness Month for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 12 designates September as Deaf Awareness Month in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This ceremonial resolution formally recognizes September for raising public awareness about deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, building on existing observances like the International Day of the Deaf. It does not create new laws or funding but aligns Texas with national efforts to celebrate contributions and address challenges faced by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The designation remains in effect until the 10th anniversary of its passage, as specified in Section 391.004(d) of the Texas Government Code.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 1392: Relating to the postponement of the delinquency date for a payment of ad valorem taxes imposed by a taxing unit if the office of the collector for the taxing unit is closed on the delinquency date.

HB 1392 amends Texas Tax Code Section 1.06 to automatically postpone property tax payment deadlines if the local tax collector's office is closed on the due date. This directly affects property owners in Texas counties, cities, or school districts who would otherwise face penalties for late payments on days when tax offices are closed (e.g., weekends, holidays, or unexpected closures). The bill ensures payments made on the next regular business day are considered timely, eliminating penalties for missed deadlines due to office closures. It takes effect January 1, 2026, and represents a procedural adjustment to existing tax payment rules.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 58: Redesignating Dripping Springs as the official Wedding Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 58 is a concurrent resolution designating Dripping Springs as Texas' official "Wedding Capital" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It directly affects Dripping Springs by granting the city an official title recognizing its established wedding industry, which includes over 3,000 annual weddings, 30+ venues (wineries, ranches, etc.), and supporting businesses like caterers and florists. The resolution, passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the Governor in May 2025, has no new policy requirements - its sole mechanism is the symbolic renaming under Section 391.003(e) of the Government Code. This is a procedural designation, not a law affecting state regulations or funding.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 3093: Relating to the calculation of certain ad valorem tax rates of a taxing unit for a year in which a property owner provides notice that the owner intends to appeal an order of an appraisal review board determining a protest by the owner regarding the appraisal of the owner's property.

HB 3093 requires taxing units in Gulf Coast counties with fewer than 500,000 residents to use electronic forms that automatically calculate property tax rates based on certified appraisal values when a property owner notifies them they intend to appeal an appraisal review board decision. The bill ensures tax calculations match the values in the official appraisal roll or certified estimate, preventing discrepancies during appeals. It directly affects property owners filing appeals and taxing units in designated Gulf Coast counties. The key mechanism is mandating electronic forms that incorporate certified valuation data to maintain accuracy throughout the appeal process.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 29: Designating April as Counseling Awareness Month for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 29 designates April as Counseling Awareness Month in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes the work of mental health professionals, including over 13,000 Certified School Counselors and 34,000 Licensed Professional Counselors in the state. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about counseling services. The designation remains in effect until the 10th anniversary of the resolution's passage, as specified in Texas Government Code Section 391.004(d).

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 3135: Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for retired firefighters.

HB 3135 creates specialty license plates for retired firefighters in Texas, directly affecting eligible retired personnel who served as volunteer firefighters certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State Firefighters' Association, or as career fire protection staff under state law. The bill requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design and issue these plates at no cost to qualifying individuals. It defines "retired firefighter" specifically to include both certified volunteers and career personnel meeting certain criteria. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, making these plates available to eligible retirees without additional fees.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 3248: Relating to the authority of a defense base development authority to employ and commission peace officers.

HB 3248 allows defense base development authorities in Texas to hire and commission peace officers for security at their facilities. The bill directly affects these authorities and their security personnel by granting them legal authority to prevent crimes related to port functions, facilities, and operations on property they own or control. Key provisions include defining these officers' jurisdiction over authority property and giving them the same enforcement powers under Chapter 14 of the Code of Criminal Procedure as other peace officers. This amendment updates existing law to explicitly include defense base security personnel in the state's list of authorized peace officers.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 78: Designating September 16 as Lone Star Santas Charities Day for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 78 designates September 16 as "Lone Star Santas Charities Day" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This ceremonial resolution honors the Lone Star Santas organization, which provides holiday cheer to children in need through volunteer-driven "Convoy of Toys" events, particularly in communities affected by natural disasters. The designation recognizes the group's work since 2007, including their volunteer-based efforts and focus on supporting families after events like the 2011 Joplin tornado. It has no funding or regulatory provisions, solely serving as a formal acknowledgment of their charitable service.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 107: Designating the Texas Almanac as the official State Book of Texas.

HCR 107 is a ceremonial resolution designating the Texas Almanac as Texas' official State Book. It recognizes the Almanac's 170-year history as a reference resource covering Texas history, government, and culture, dating back to its 1857 publication. The resolution, passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the governor on May 24, 2025, has no legal effect beyond this symbolic designation. It does not create new laws, alter funding, or impact any specific group or policy.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 70: Redesignating Jim Hogg County as the official Vaquero Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

HCR 70 designates Jim Hogg County as the official "Vaquero Capital of Texas" for a 10-year period ending in 2035. This symbolic resolution recognizes the historical significance of vaqueros (Spanish-Mexican ranchers) to the county's cultural and economic heritage, referencing their role in early ranching traditions. It does not create new laws, alter regulations, or impose requirements on residents or businesses. The resolution was passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the governor in May 2025.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HCR 144: Paying tribute to the U.S. service members killed in action who are being honored as part of the 2025 Fallen Heroes Memorial Service.

HCR 144 is a commemorative resolution honoring three U.S. military service members killed in action: Army Staff Sergeant Felix A. Berrios, Navy SEAL Nathan G. Ingram, and Marine Corps Major Tobin Lewis. The resolution directs the Texas Legislature to pay tribute to them during the 2025 Fallen Heroes Memorial Service at the Texas Capitol. It also requires sending official copies of the resolution to each service member's family. This resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, recognizing specific individuals who died in military service.

signed · Texas · House May 24, 2025

HB 166: Relating to committing the criminal offense of endangering a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual by engaging in certain conduct involving a controlled substance listed in Penalty Group 1-B of the Texas Controlled Substances Act.

HB 166 creates a legal presumption that a person endangers a child, elderly individual, or disabled person when they engage in specific drug-related conduct involving methamphetamine or Penalty Group 1-B drugs (like fentanyl) in the presence of those vulnerable individuals. The bill establishes three key scenarios where this presumption applies: (1) possessing or using these drugs near vulnerable people, (2) having the drugs accessible with evidence of their presence in the vulnerable person's body, or (3) using these drugs unlawfully while with vulnerable people. This changes the legal standard for prosecuting endangerment cases involving drug use around at-risk individuals. The law, signed by the governor on May 24, 2025, takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results