Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 1967: Relating to a plan by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to modernize post-adjudication secure correctional facilities.

HB 1967 requires the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) to create a plan modernizing post-adjudication secure facilities, specifically mandating that all living quarters for children committed to these facilities include restrooms and running water. The plan must be submitted to the legislature by June 1, 2026, along with estimated implementation costs. This bill directly affects TJJD operations and the 1,500+ youth currently housed in Texas’s secure juvenile correctional facilities. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and expires September 1, 2026, with no changes to facility construction or staffing.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 3914: Relating to the health benefit plan coverage of and reimbursement for the treatment of a first responder's injuries sustained within the course and scope of employment.

HB 3914 requires health benefit plans in Texas to cover and reimburse treatment for work-related injuries sustained by first responders. The bill defines "first responder" to include police officers, emergency medical personnel (such as EMTs and paramedics), firefighters, and volunteer firefighters or emergency medical services volunteers. It applies to various health plans, including group insurance, health maintenance organizations, and other specified coverage types. This policy change ensures these workers receive necessary medical care without financial barriers for job-related injuries.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5458: Relating to a study of the effectiveness of rules implemented by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department governing the management of chronic wasting disease and of cervid resistance to chronic wasting disease.

Based on the provided context, no bill text is available for HB 5458 (only a placeholder note states "This version is not currently available"). The title indicates the bill would direct a study on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department rules related to chronic wasting disease management and cervid (deer/elk) resistance to the disease. Without the actual bill language or specific provisions, a summary of its mechanisms, affected parties, or concrete policy changes cannot be provided. The bill is currently pending in committee with no further action recorded.

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SB 2993: Relating to the Texas presidential library promotion program and fund.

SB 2993 creates a Texas presidential library promotion program and dedicated fund to support three specific presidential libraries: the LBJ Library, George H.W. Bush Library, and George W. Bush Library. The program provides funding for library exhibit renovations, promotes tourism through marketing campaigns, and develops mobile exhibits featuring historical artifacts and educational materials about these presidents. The Texas Historical Commission will administer the program, with funds coming from legislative appropriations, investment interest, and donations. This bill directly affects the three libraries and Texas tourism initiatives by establishing a formal funding mechanism for their operations and public engagement.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 5099: Relating to establishment of a shared savings program for certain managed care plans.

HB 5099 establishes a shared savings program requiring certain health benefit plans (like HMOs, PPOs, and basic coverage plans) to disclose average contracted rates for health care services. The bill mandates that plan issuers create a toll-free number and online portal so enrollees can request these rates for specific services from the previous year. It also requires out-of-network providers to give enrollees written cost estimates for proposed services. The program applies only to nonemergency care covered under these specific plans, directly affecting health benefit issuers, enrollees, and health care providers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 2580: Relating to a study on health benefit plan coverage for certain treatments of traumatic brain injuries.

HB 2580 requires the Texas Department of Insurance to study health benefit plan coverage for traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatments, including cognitive rehabilitation, neurocognitive therapy, and related services. The study will analyze claim data, coverage types, the impact of substance abuse on TBI treatment access, and exclusions in coverage. It mandates the department to submit a report by December 2026 with findings and recommendations to lawmakers. The bill does not change current coverage rules but aims to inform future policy decisions about TBI treatment access in Texas. (Section 1(b), HB 2580)

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 4339: Relating to increasing the interest rate of certain consumer loans.

HB 4339 would reduce maximum interest rates for unsecured consumer loans in Texas. It lowers the annual rate caps from 36% (for loans ≤$500), 30% (for $500-$1,050), and 24% (for $1,050-$2,500) to 30%, 24%, and 18% respectively. The bill applies only to new loans made on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing loans governed by prior law. This directly affects borrowers of small unsecured personal loans and lenders offering such credit.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 345: Relating to an appraisal process for disputed losses under residential property insurance policies.

The bill text for HB 345 is not currently available in the provided context (only placeholder text and filing dates are shown). No specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties can be identified from the information given. The bill was filed in 2024 and referred to the Insurance committee but has not progressed further. Without access to the actual bill language or summary, a substantive description cannot be provided.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 3728: Relating to the adoption by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of salinity requirements for bays and estuaries.

HB 3728 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to establish specific salinity standards for Texas bays and estuaries. It mandates two key mechanisms: (1) numeric salinity gradients where site-specific studies exist, and (2) narrative criteria listing species that depend on estuaries to guide water quality standards. The bill also requires the TCEQ to publish a report by September 2026 analyzing long-term salinity studies (2003-2025) and assessing impacts from wastewater, desalination, and weather changes on estuarine wildlife. This bill directly affects the TCEQ’s regulatory authority and aims to protect coastal ecosystems by tying water quality standards to measurable ecological needs.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 4774: Relating to the administration of perpetual care trust funds for capital improvements at perpetual care cemeteries.

This bill would allow perpetual care cemeteries to seek court approval to use trust funds for major capital improvements (like new facilities or repairs), rather than restricting funds to routine maintenance only. Currently, trust money can only cover ongoing care and property upkeep. To approve such requests, courts must ensure the improvements won't harm the cemetery's ability to provide perpetual care and that they benefit both the cemetery and families buried there. It directly affects perpetual care cemeteries and the families relying on their long-term maintenance services.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 23, 2025

HB 2269: Relating to a property owners' association's authority to require installation or maintenance of grass or turf landscaping.

HB 2269 amends Texas Property Code to limit property owners' associations' (POAs) authority over landscaping. It prohibits POAs from requiring homeowners to install or maintain grass/turf landscaping (Section 1(2)) and prevents them from restricting eco-friendly practices like composting grass clippings, using rain barrels, efficient irrigation, or drought-resistant landscaping (Section 1(1)). The bill directly affects homeowners in communities governed by POAs, giving them more flexibility for sustainable landscaping choices. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SB 1234: 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.

SB 1234 creates a legal presumption that a person endangers a child, elderly individual, or disabled person if they use methamphetamine or certain highly restricted drugs (Penalty Group 1-B) in their presence, make such drugs accessible to them, or use these drugs illegally while with them. This applies specifically to caregivers or individuals responsible for the safety of vulnerable people. The bill establishes three clear triggers for this presumption: (1) having the drugs present, (2) proximity/accessibility with drug evidence from the vulnerable person, or (3) illegal use of the drugs while with them. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results