HB 2970 amends Texas law governing the Gulf Coast Protection District's operations. It changes how the district's presiding officer is selected - requiring the governor to appoint from among directors (instead of election) with a two-term limit - and adds a requirement that district projects must not disrupt navigation safety or two-way traffic in Harris County ports, as defined by transportation rules. The bill directly affects the district's governing board and port operations in Harris County. These changes take effect immediately upon the governor's signature, as specified in the bill.
SB 260 increases funding for school safety in Texas public schools under the Foundation School Program. It raises the per-student allotment from $10 to $20 per student in average daily attendance and doubles the campus safety allotment from $15,000 to $30,000 per school campus. These changes apply to all Texas public school districts and take effect September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects school funding formulas by increasing state support for safety resources at both the student and campus levels. The policy change provides additional state funds specifically designated for school safety measures.
SB 38 amends Texas Property Code to clarify procedures for eviction lawsuits involving tenants who lack legal right to occupy property. It specifies that justice courts must handle eviction cases in the precinct where the property is located, with limited circumstances allowing case transfers to adjacent precincts (e.g., if service delays occur or trials cannot be scheduled within 21 days). The bill prohibits courts from charging additional filing or service fees when transferring cases and explicitly states that eviction courts cannot rule on property title disputes or allow separate claims against third parties. This affects landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings by streamlining court processes and limiting judicial overreach.
HB 2517 exempts the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and Texas FAIR Plan Association from paying premium and maintenance taxes under Texas law. The bill amends two sections of the Insurance Code to explicitly exclude these two associations from tax requirements that apply to other insurers. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not affect taxes owed before 2023. The bill directly impacts these two state-assisted insurance programs, which provide coverage for windstorm and high-risk properties.
HB 3180 amends Texas Family Code Section 301.052 to clarify what information parties must disclose during civil family law cases (like divorce or custody disputes). It requires requesting parties to specify detailed information about medical records related to alleged injuries, expert witnesses' qualifications and opinions, settlement agreements, and witness statements. The bill directly affects individuals involved in family court cases where medical injuries or damages are claimed, making disclosure requests more structured. Key provisions mandate including expert resumes, basis for opinions, and authorization forms for medical records, aiming to streamline information sharing. This law took effect September 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor.
HB 3711 requires law enforcement agencies to simultaneously send reports of open meetings violations (under Chapter 551, Government Code) to both district prosecutors and the Attorney General's Open Records Division. It allows prosecutors to request the Open Records Division's assistance in investigating such violations and mandates that agencies provide non-public investigation details upon request. The bill formalizes coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Attorney General's office for handling open meetings offenses. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the Attorney General's Open Records Division. The policy change streamlines investigative processes for government transparency violations without altering the definition of offenses.
HB 2073 increases criminal penalties for individuals who violate court orders or bond conditions in cases involving family violence, child abuse, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking. It elevates certain violations from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony if the defendant was previously convicted of similar offenses or violated the order while armed. For repeat offenders or those who commit assault while violating the order, penalties rise to a third-degree felony. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change penalties for past violations.
SB 917 shortens the deadline for boiler inspection agencies to submit reports from 30 to 10 days after an inspection. It directly affects inspection agencies that perform boiler safety checks and the executive director who receives these reports. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to require agencies to file reports within 10 days using the method specified by the executive director. This change streamlines reporting requirements without altering boiler safety standards or creating new obligations.
HB 5437 validates the creation of Austin County Municipal Utility District No. 1 and confirms all actions taken related to its establishment, including a November 2, 2021 election that approved bonds for water, sewage, drainage, and road infrastructure, as well as the election of permanent directors. The bill confirms the legal status of these past actions, removing potential challenges to the district's formation and its bond issuances. It directly affects Austin County residents served by the utility district and ensures the district's operations and financing remain legally sound. This is a procedural validation bill with no new policy requirements, solely confirming prior lawful actions.
SB 1307 requires the Texas Department of Insurance to create a biennial reference guide for the public, updated every two years, to help Texans understand health coverage options. The guide must include definitions of health insurance terms, sources for obtaining coverage (like employers), comparisons of plan types (such as HMOs and PPOs), explanations of out-of-pocket costs (premiums, deductibles), and how to recognize coverage scams. It also covers the Affordable Care Act marketplace categories, consumer rights, dispute resolution methods, and federal/state programs for health care assistance. This bill directly affects Texas residents seeking health coverage by providing standardized, accessible information to make informed decisions. The guide will take effect September 1, 2025, following the bill's recent signing into law.
HB 27 requires all Texas public high school students to complete at least one-half credit in personal financial literacy as part of their social studies graduation requirements under Education Code Section 28.025(b-1)(4). The bill directs the State Board of Education to develop a list of free, open-source curricula for these courses and allows Advanced Placement courses meeting specific standards to count toward the requirement. This policy change affects all public high school students in Texas, mandating practical financial education alongside traditional subjects like history and government. The law, signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, is now effective immediately for all public school districts.
SB 815 requires health insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) to disclose in written explanations of benefits whether artificial intelligence (AI) was used in processing claims or making coverage decisions. If AI was used, the disclosure must include a plain-language description of how the AI system operated. The bill directly affects insurers/HMOs by mandating these transparency requirements for patients and healthcare providers, specifically addressing "adverse determinations" like denied coverage. It does not restrict AI use but ensures consumers and doctors understand when automated systems influence their health benefit decisions.
