Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 2461: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of criminal mischief involving impairment of or disruption to a retail motor fuel pump.

HB 2461 increases criminal penalties for damaging or disrupting retail gas pumps. It raises the offense from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony when financial damage reaches $2,500 or more, and to a third-degree felony for damages over $30,000. The bill specifically targets tampering with fuel pumps at gas stations, making disruption or impairment of these pumps a higher-level offense regardless of repair costs. This directly affects individuals who vandalize or interfere with gas pump systems, increasing potential jail time for such acts.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 4901: Relating to the regulation of platforms for the sale and distribution of software applications for mobile devices.

This Texas bill (HB 4901) requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) operating in Texas to verify users' ages and categorize them into four groups: child (<13), younger teen (13-15), older teen (16-17), and adult (18+). For minors (under 18), it mandates parental consent by linking accounts to a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. App stores must use reasonable methods to confirm age during account creation. The law directly affects app platforms and users under 18 in Texas, with no voting record available as the bill remains pending in committee.

Topics ✓ Technology

Angie Button (R) Caroline Fairly (R) Mary González (D) Todd Hunter (R) Jared Patterson (R) · 127 co-sponsors

in committee · Texas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 2054: Relating to the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program and authorizing an increase in the assessment on certain insurers that fund the program.

HB 2054 authorizes an increase in fees paid by certain property insurers to fund the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. This would boost the program's budget by raising the assessment on insurers who sell property insurance in the state. The change directly affects rural fire departments that rely on this funding and the insurers required to pay the higher fee. The bill aims to strengthen support for volunteer fire services in rural communities through additional dedicated funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Texas · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 5243: Relating to prohibiting the purchase of certain food and drink items under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

HB 5243 would prohibit SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) beneficiaries in Texas from using their benefits to purchase energy drinks, sweetened beverages, carbonated drinks, candy, potato/corn chips, and packaged cookies. The bill defines "energy drink" as containing at least 65mg caffeine per 8oz and "sweetened beverage" as any nonalcoholic drink with added sweetener. Exceptions include milk products, milk substitutes (like soy milk), unsweetened juices, infant formula, and certain fortified products containing protein or vitamins. This policy change directly affects SNAP recipients who would no longer use benefits for the listed items, while allowing coverage for specified healthier alternatives.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 4941: Relating to the establishment of a strategic fuel reserve program in this state.

HB 4941 would establish a Texas strategic fuel reserve program managed by the Railroad Commission of Texas. The reserve must hold enough natural gas and petroleum products (like gasoline) to supply the state for at least 30 days during a disaster. Fuel distribution would require a governor's declaration of a state or regional disaster, or a request from another state facing a crisis. This program aims to maintain energy access for Texans during supply disruptions caused by emergencies.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 5278: Relating to the licensing and regulation of persons who provide services in relation to the deceased; creating a criminal offense and increasing the punishment for an existing criminal offense; expanding the application of a fee.

HB 5278 regulates businesses that handle bodies or body parts for education and research. It requires licensing for "human body acquisition services" and "non-transplant anatomical donation organizations," which directly affect providers of these services. The bill creates new criminal penalties for violations and increases punishments for existing offenses, while expanding fee requirements for these regulated entities. These changes aim to standardize oversight and accountability in handling human remains used for educational or research purposes.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 4632: Relating to disbursement of initial funds under the Texas Energy Fund.

HB 4632 would have amended Texas Utilities Code to allow the Public Utility Commission to disburse initial funds for loans under the Texas Energy Fund after December 31, 2025, if market conditions require an extension. It would have permitted applicants to request late disbursement and required the Commission to approve or deny such requests individually. This change would directly affect entities applying for loans through the Texas Energy Fund by providing flexibility for fund disbursement timelines. The bill was withdrawn from consideration on April 14, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 1899: Relating to the minimum standards of care provided to sexual assault survivors by health care facilities.

SB 1899 establishes minimum care standards for sexual assault survivors treated at Texas healthcare facilities. It requires facilities to provide survivors with a forensic exam (per state codes), private waiting and treatment areas, access to sexual assault advocates, crisis center contact information, STI prophylaxis when needed, free showers (if available), and emergency contraception with consent. The bill directly affects healthcare facilities and survivors by mandating specific, immediate care protocols during medical treatment. These requirements take effect September 1, 2025, and apply to all facilities offering care to sexual assault survivors. The law focuses on practical, survivor-centered services without altering legal processes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SCR 23: Designating the first full week in April as Gifted and Talented Students Week for a 10-year period ending in 2035.

This concurrent resolution designates the first full week in April as "Gifted and Talented Students Week" in Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. It symbolically recognizes students identified as gifted and talented (over 450,000 in Texas) and the educators who serve them, without creating new laws or allocating funds. The designation remains in effect annually until the 10th anniversary of the resolution's passage, as permitted under Texas Government Code Section 391.004(d). This is a ceremonial observance to celebrate these students' achievements and support their specialized educational needs.

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 2313: Relating to health benefit plan coverage of anxiety and pain management in connection with insertion or removal of prescription contraceptive devices.

SB 2313 requires health benefit plans covering prescription contraceptive devices (like IUDs or implants) to also cover evidence-based anxiety and pain management services specifically during the insertion or removal of those devices. This applies to all health plans delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026. The law directly affects health insurers and individuals using prescription contraceptives who need support managing discomfort or anxiety during device procedures. It does not change coverage for the contraceptives themselves but adds a new requirement for related care. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, with the coverage mandate starting in 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 4628: Relating to enhancement of the penalty for a felony conviction based on a juvenile delinquent conduct adjudication.

HB 4628 would allow prosecutors to use a person's juvenile delinquency adjudication (a court finding of misconduct as a minor) to increase penalties for a later felony conviction. Currently, Texas law prohibits using such juvenile records for penalty enhancement, but this bill repeals that restriction. It also amends the Family Code to permit prosecutors to access sealed juvenile records specifically for seeking enhanced felony penalties under the Penal Code. The law would take effect on September 1, 2025, applying only to offenses committed after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 1821: Relating to information regarding the procedures and available resources for the sealing of juvenile records.

The context provided does not include the actual text or substantive details of HB 1821. The bill description states it relates to "information regarding the procedures and available resources for the sealing of juvenile records," but no specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties are outlined in the available materials. The bill is currently pending in committee with a scheduled public hearing, but no concrete policy changes or operational details are described. Without access to the full bill text or a substantive summary, a factual summary cannot be generated.

Bill results