Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 4312: Relating to a prohibition on the making of a campaign contribution by a person who is not a United States citizen.

HB 4312 prohibits non-U.S. citizens from knowingly making campaign contributions to Texas political candidates or committees. The bill adds Section 253.008 to the Election Code, directly affecting non-citizens who attempt to contribute to campaigns. It applies only to contributions made on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), with prior contributions governed by existing law. The law does not restrict contributions from U.S. citizens, political committees, or other entities.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 3364: Relating to the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship and to the practice of veterinary medicine by telephone or electronic means.

HB 3364 prohibits veterinarians in Texas from establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship **solely** through telephone or electronic means. This means an initial in-person meeting is required to form the relationship, directly affecting veterinarians and pet owners seeking veterinary services. The bill amends the Occupations Code to clarify this requirement, taking effect September 1, 2025. It focuses on defining the foundational relationship for veterinary care, not on specific treatment protocols.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 2668: Relating to a study conducted by the Commission on Jail Standards on the living conditions and safety of persons confined in the Harris County jail.

HB 2668 requires the Commission on Jail Standards to study the living conditions and safety of people confined in Harris County Jail. The Commission must complete this study and submit a written report with recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill does not change jail policies directly but mandates a review to inform potential future actions. The study will specifically examine conditions and safety within Harris County Jail.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 5127: Relating to county purchasing agents in certain counties.

HB 5127 would allow commissioners courts in Texas counties with over 250,000 residents to replace their current county purchasing agent system. Specifically, it enables them to abolish the existing purchasing agent office (under Section 262.011) and instead hire a purchasing agent under Section 262.0115 via a court order. The bill ensures that current purchasing agents whose roles are eliminated can transition to the new hired position. This change applies only to large counties and is pending committee review as of April 2025.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 3841: Relating to the investigation of the death of a prisoner in county jail.

HB 3841 requires Texas county jail death investigations to be conducted by an independent law enforcement agency (not the jail’s own agency) within 30 days of notification. The bill mandates that the state commission publicly post specific details online, including the county, death date, investigating agency, appointment date, any replacement agency due to conflicts of interest, and investigation status. This information must be updated monthly and remain accessible for two years after the death. The law directly affects county jails, families of deceased prisoners, and the public by increasing transparency in how these deaths are investigated. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 4477: Relating to the requirement to employ an adequate staff for a civil service commission of certain counties.

HB 4477 requires certain counties to maintain an adequate staff for their civil service commissions. This bill directly affects county governments operating civil service commissions, mandating sufficient staffing levels to carry out commission duties. The bill's key provision establishes a staffing requirement for these commissions but does not specify exact numbers or qualifications. As the bill text is unavailable in the provided context, specific mechanisms or implementation details cannot be described. The bill is currently pending in the County & Regional Government Subcommittee after a public hearing.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 4114: Relating to the salary schedules for regional planning commissions.

Based on the provided context, HB 4114's title indicates it relates to salary schedules for regional planning commissions, but the full bill text is unavailable (noted as "This version is not currently available"). The recent actions show it is still pending in committee with no votes recorded. Without access to the bill's specific provisions or salary details, a substantive summary cannot be generated. The title suggests it would affect regional planning commission employees by establishing or modifying their pay scales, but concrete policy changes are not described in the available information.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 5108: Relating to maintenance of records of independent investigations of deaths in custody in accordance with state record retention requirements.

The provided context does not include the actual text or detailed provisions of HB 5108. While the title references "maintenance of records of independent investigations of deaths in custody" and "state record retention requirements," no specific policy changes, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the available information. The bill's current status shows it is pending in committee with scheduled hearings, but the substance of the legislation is not detailed in the provided materials. Without access to the bill's full text or a substantive summary, a factual description of its policy impact cannot be generated.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 3345: Relating to authorizing an increase in an optional county fee on vehicle registration in certain counties.

HB 3345 allows certain Texas counties with populations under 700,000 to increase an optional fee on vehicle registrations up to $20, but only if approved by a majority of voters in a special referendum election. This bill directly affects counties meeting the population threshold, giving them a new option to raise local revenue for transportation funding. The key mechanism requires commissioners courts to hold a voter-approved referendum before implementing the fee increase. The law would take effect on September 1, 2025, if passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 3521: Relating to the police officers' public retirement system of certain municipalities.

HB 3521 amends Texas law defining "catastrophic injury" for police officers in certain municipalities' retirement systems. It specifies that a catastrophic injury must be a sudden, life-threatening, duty-related injury causing permanent loss of sight, limbs, or paralysis, or a severe brain injury requiring constant supervision and rendering the officer unemployable. The bill explicitly excludes infectious diseases, chronic conditions from occupational exposure, post-traumatic stress disorder, and minor soft-tissue injuries from this definition. These changes directly affect police officers who sustain qualifying injuries while on duty, determining their eligibility for enhanced retirement benefits under the system. The bill focuses on clarifying eligibility criteria rather than altering benefit amounts or funding mechanisms.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1656: Relating to emergency detention by a paramedic of certain persons with mental illness for preliminary examination at a mental health facility.

HB 1656 would allow licensed paramedics to temporarily detain individuals experiencing a mental health crisis for a preliminary evaluation at a mental health facility when there is an immediate risk of serious harm to the person or others. To do this, paramedics must have authorization from their medical director, believe the person has mental illness and faces substantial risk (based on behavior or severe distress), and determine that obtaining a warrant or involving police would take too long. The paramedic must then transport the person to the nearest appropriate mental health facility and immediately explain the detention reason in plain language, with facility staff required to detail the person’s rights within 24 hours. This bill directly affects paramedics and individuals in acute mental health crises who meet these specific criteria.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 4255: Relating to the regulation of physicians and the disciplinary authority of the Texas Medical Board.

The bill text for HB 4255 is not currently available in the provided context, as the system states "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon." The title indicates it relates to physician regulation and the Texas Medical Board's disciplinary authority, but no specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are described in the available information. Without access to the bill's actual text or detailed summary, a factual summary of its policy changes cannot be generated. The recent actions (referred to committee, public hearing) do not describe the bill's content.

Bill results