Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 4097: Relating to the penalty for noncompliance with certain audit requirements by a municipality.

HB 4097 requires Texas municipalities to complete annual financial audits and file the results by the 180th day after their fiscal year ends. If a municipality misses this deadline, it cannot adopt a property tax rate higher than its "no-new-revenue tax rate" for the current and subsequent tax years until it complies. This applies to all cities and towns required to conduct audits under state law. The bill imposes a direct financial penalty by restricting tax increases for noncompliant municipalities, effective September 1, 2025. It does not create new audit requirements but adds enforcement for existing obligations under Local Government Code Section 103.001.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 1787: Relating to the establishment of a higher education plan for human papillomavirus education and prevention.

HB 1787 requires the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to create a state plan and educational program focused on human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention, education, and treatment for students at Texas colleges and universities. The plan must address disproportionate impacts on specific demographic groups, incorporate input from health advocates and agencies, and be updated every five years. The program will include campus health education, public awareness campaigns, and online resources detailing HPV prevention, detection, treatment options, risk factors, and transmission methods. This bill directly affects all students enrolled in Texas institutions of higher education by promoting targeted health information and services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 5444: Relating to the authority of the governing body of a school district to adopt an ad valorem tax rate that exceeds the district's voter-approval tax rate.

HB 5444 restricts school districts from setting property tax rates higher than what voters previously approved without new voter consent. It prohibits governing bodies from adopting such rates if they previously exceeded the voter-approved rate, held a required election (under Section 26.08), and voters rejected the proposal. The law requires districts to seek fresh voter approval through an election before raising taxes beyond the existing approved limit. This directly affects school districts' ability to adjust property tax rates without community consent. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 3022: Relating to the assertion of legislative privilege by the attorney general in certain legal challenges to the constitutionality of state statutes.

HB 3022 clarifies the Texas Attorney General's authority to claim legislative privilege (protection for communications between lawmakers and officials) when defending state laws against constitutional challenges. It requires the Attorney General to provide evidence of representation within 30 days of asserting this privilege to establish their authority. The bill does not prevent others from claiming legislative privilege in separate matters. This procedural change applies to legal challenges involving the constitutionality of state statutes, taking effect September 1, 2025.

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 3158: Relating to imposition of application fees for certain permits and permit amendments for the disposal of oil and gas waste.

HB 3158 sets new application fees for permits related to oil and gas waste disposal in Texas. It requires $200 for fluid injection well permits and $500 for landfarm, landtreatment, or land application permits (or amendments). Commercial facilities face higher fees: $2,000 for new waste separation permits, $3,000 for commercial surface waste facilities, and $1,000 for amendments. These fees apply only to applications filed on or after September 1, 2025, affecting businesses seeking these specific waste disposal permits. The bill does not change waste disposal rules, only the application fees.

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 2797: Relating to the authority of home-rule municipalities to regulate the occupancy of dwelling units.

HB 2797 prevents Texas home-rule municipalities (like Austin or Dallas) from banning housing occupancy based on age, family status, occupation, relationship, or blood relation. The bill allows cities to still enforce occupancy limits tied to health/safety codes (e.g., building standards, fire regulations, or state health guidelines). Property owners can sue cities that violate this law and seek damages or court orders, with municipalities losing immunity from such lawsuits. This directly affects how cities regulate housing rules but does not restrict private agreements like homeowners' association rules.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 3531: Relating to the voluntary disclosure by an applicant for registration of a motor vehicle of the applicant's military status.

HB 3531 allows motor vehicle applicants in Texas to voluntarily disclose their military service status when registering or renewing vehicle registration. It directly affects military members who choose to share this information during the registration process. If disclosed, the Department of Motor Vehicles must include the military status in the vehicle's registration records and in any released records or reports related to that vehicle. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not create new requirements or benefits for military members.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 1953: Relating to rights of crime victims, including the enforcement of certain rights of sexual assault victims; authorizing a civil penalty.

HB 1953 strengthens rights for crime victims in Texas by requiring courts to verify that victims receive specific notifications before plea agreements are finalized. It mandates courts to confirm victims were informed about plea bargain terms at least five business days in advance and consulted regarding case disposition. Victims, guardians, or close relatives of deceased victims can petition the court to reset a plea hearing if these requirements are not met. The bill expands existing victim notification rights to include timely updates about court proceedings and case details. These changes apply to all crime victims, not limited to sexual assault cases, and establish a concrete enforcement mechanism through court petitions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 3727: Relating to a grant program to fund certain railroad grade separation projects.

HB 3727 creates a state grant program to fund railroad grade separation projects at non-state highway intersections and pedestrian crossings. It directly affects local governments and railroad companies by providing grants for projects that improve safety and reduce traffic. Key requirements include a 10% non-state funding match (from other sources or as matching funds) and restrictions on using state highway funds. The program can only use state appropriations, federal grants, or donations, and the Transportation Commission must adopt rules by October 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 2734: Relating to public assistance program fraud; creating a criminal offense.

HB 2734 creates a new criminal offense for intentionally making materially false written statements in applications for public assistance benefits. It directly affects individuals applying for programs like food assistance (SNAP), medical aid (Medicaid), child health plans, and financial assistance. The bill establishes tiered penalties: from a Class C misdemeanor for fraud under $100 up to a first-degree felony for fraud exceeding $300,000. The law amends Texas Penal Code Section 32.32 to explicitly include false statements in public assistance applications as punishable conduct.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 2275: Relating to arbitration provisions in certain surplus lines insurance contracts.

HB 2275 requires that surplus lines insurance contracts (specialized policies for high-risk or hard-to-place coverage) containing arbitration agreements must specify that any arbitration occurs in Texas and follows Texas law. It mandates that both the arbitration process and contract interpretation be governed by Texas statutes, applying only to contracts delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. Existing contracts before that date remain subject to prior law. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects insurers writing surplus lines policies in Texas.

in committee · Texas · House May 9, 2025

HB 1769: Relating to the classification of certain entities as primarily engaged in retail trade for purposes of the franchise tax.

HB 1769 amends Texas' Tax Code to expand the definition of "retail trade" for franchise tax purposes. It adds specific rental activities to the definition, including apparel rental, tool/event supply leasing, heavy construction equipment rental, and industrial uniform/linen rental - each classified under specific federal industry codes. This change directly affects businesses in these newly classified categories, determining whether they pay franchise tax as retail entities. The bill applies only to tax reports due on or after January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results