HB 131 repeals the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and transfers its funds to the Texas Education Agency. The transferred money would be used to reduce state property tax rates for homeowners. This bill only takes effect if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in 2025; otherwise, it has no legal impact. The legislation directly affects state funding allocations and property tax policy, with no changes to dementia research programs.
This resolution directs the Texas Department of Public Safety to consider opening a local driver's license service center in Magnolia. It would directly affect Magnolia residents who currently must travel to Conroe or Houston for these services. The resolution is non-binding - it requests the department to evaluate the possibility but does not require the center to open. The Texas Secretary of State must forward the resolution to the Department of Public Safety.
HB 157 allows local governments within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of their annual sales tax revenue for local mobility projects. It directly affects cities or counties in these authorities by enabling them to fund sidewalks, trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage improvements on local roads. The bill requires annual project lists and splits funding between 50% upfront and 50% reimbursement before year-end. Unused funds must pay down existing debt secured by a 1% sales tax, but the primary change is expanding local control over transportation investments.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to create an independent redistricting commission in Texas. The commission would be responsible for drawing election districts for the U.S. House of Representatives (Texas seats), Texas Senate, and Texas House of Representatives, replacing the current legislative process. It would have sole authority to establish or change district boundaries after each federal census, requiring districts to follow specific geographic and population rules. The amendment would take effect by adding new sections to the Texas Constitution, shifting redistricting power from the legislature to this nonpartisan body.
This bill requires Texas municipalities and counties with internet websites to post localized health and safety alerts on their websites in a clear, visible location. The alerts must include affected areas with geographic threat maps, links to current information, projected movement of the event, and safety instructions like evacuation zones. It applies only to alerts from federal or state agencies (such as the National Weather Service or Texas Division of Emergency Management) received on or after the bill's effective date. The requirement does not apply to entities without websites or to alerts received before the effective date.
SB 26 requires sellers of residential property in a "colonia" (a defined border-area community with 11+ nearby homes) to provide a Spanish translation of an executory contract if the buyer requests it. The translation must be done by a certified Spanish translator, though the final binding contract must still be in English. This applies only to new contracts signed on or after the bill’s effective date (91 days after the legislative session), not to existing agreements. The law directly affects homebuyers and sellers in colonias by adding a language access requirement during the contract negotiation phase.
HJR 7 proposes a constitutional amendment to change the quorum requirement for the Texas Senate and House of Representatives from a simple majority of members to two-thirds of members. Currently, a majority (more than half) is needed to conduct business, but the amendment would require two-thirds of members to be present for either chamber to form a quorum. This change would make it harder to achieve a quorum, potentially slowing legislative proceedings. The amendment must be approved by Texas voters in a statewide election on May 2, 2026.
This bill requires courts to appoint attorneys ad litem (special lawyers) to represent specific vulnerable parents in government-led child welfare cases where parental rights may be terminated. It directly affects indigent parents opposing termination, parents served by publication, and alleged fathers with unknown location or registration issues. The key change shifts payment for these attorneys from parents to county general funds when parents are indigent, instead of relying on parent payments. It also adds procedures for resolving payment disputes if a court denies or delays attorney fees.
HB 72 establishes that Texas state law overrides local municipal or county regulations in key areas like commerce, trade, elections, and criminal justice, aiming to prevent inconsistent "patchwork" rules across the state. It directly affects cities and counties that attempt to create local regulations differing from state law in these areas. The bill explicitly allows local governments to continue building roads, imposing taxes, maintaining home-rule services, conducting public awareness campaigns, and revising ordinances that conflict with the bill. Its core mechanism returns regulatory authority to the state, as required by the Texas Constitution, while preserving specific local government functions.
This bill (SB 22) requires youth camp operators in Texas to create and maintain written emergency plans covering specific scenarios like natural disasters, lost campers, fires, medical emergencies, and aquatic incidents. Camps must annually train staff and volunteers on these plans - including evacuation procedures and equipment locations - and assign specific emergency responsibilities. Operators must submit approved plans to the health department and review them yearly for updates. The bill directly affects all youth camps operating in Texas, aiming to standardize emergency preparedness for camper and staff safety.
SB 33 creates a voluntary system for Texas municipalities and counties to share emergency warning alerts with residents. It allows local governments to contract with the Department of Public Safety to obtain consent-based contact information (like phone numbers or email addresses) from residents who apply for or renew a driver's license and opt in. Residents can later opt out by submitting a written request, including via text message, and may also choose to receive alerts in both English and Spanish. The bill directly affects Texas residents interacting with driver's license services and local emergency management systems.
HB 146 is a procedural bill that names itself the "Terrin Solbrig Act" for citation purposes. It does not change any laws related to temporary vehicle tags or the offense of tampering with governmental records. The bill will take effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.
