HB 302 prohibits Texas school districts from holding bond elections for new debt if existing or proposed bonds would exceed 18% of the district's annual budget. It directly affects school districts by restricting their ability to issue new bonds when debt payments reach this threshold. The law adds a specific 18% budget limit to bond issuance rules under Education Code Section 45.003, applying only to elections ordered after the bill's effective date. This change does not impact existing bond elections or debt already approved before the law takes effect.
HB 303 amends Texas election law to extend deadlines for election-related tasks when the deadline falls on a weekend, holiday, or due to unforeseen events beyond control (like natural disasters). It specifies that for statewide or multi-county elections, the secretary of state determines if an event qualifies as such, while county judges make that determination for single-county elections. The bill also clarifies that in-person election filings are accepted if the person or document entered the office before the deadline time. These changes aim to provide flexibility for election administration during unexpected disruptions.
SB 74 limits groundwater transfers outside conservation districts by capping total production for any single entity at 5% of the district's modeled available groundwater by December 2025. It requires groundwater conservation districts to obtain approval from at least two-thirds of neighboring districts (via majority vote) before issuing permits for large transfers (25,000+ gallons/day) outside their boundaries. The bill exempts transfers for potable water supply within a utility's service area or emergency interconnects between water providers. These provisions apply only to permits issued after the bill's effective date, which is 91 days after the legislative session ends.
HB 304 limits groundwater transfers outside conservation districts by capping total permits for any single applicant (including subsidiaries) at 5% of the district's modeled available groundwater by December 2025. It requires groundwater conservation districts to seek approval from at least two-thirds of other districts in the management area before issuing permits for large transfers (25,000+ gallons/day), considering impacts on regional water goals. Exceptions are made for potable water transfers within a utility's service area or emergency interconnects between utilities. The bill directly affects districts, large water users, and utilities seeking to move groundwater outside district boundaries. It applies only to permits issued after the law's effective date.
Received by the Secretary of the Senate
This resolution recognizes El Valle Bakery in Rio Grande City for its 50 years of service to the community, specifically acknowledging its closure on June 30, 2025, after operating since 1975. It commemorates the bakery's role in serving generations of customers and honors the Berlanga family's legacy, including Rafael Berlanga's retirement after leading the business. The resolution is purely ceremonial, with no policy changes or new obligations. It directs the Texas House of Representatives to provide an official copy to Rafael Berlanga as a gesture of respect.
HB 300 amends Texas Tax Code Section 351.152 to clarify which municipalities may use hotel and convention center tax revenue for specific projects. The bill defines 17 distinct categories of eligible cities based on population thresholds and geographic criteria, such as municipalities with populations over 95,000 bordering Lake Lewisville (item 15) or those located in counties with specific population sizes. It directly affects qualifying cities by expanding their authority to allocate these tax revenues toward convention center developments. The key mechanism is a technical update to eligibility rules in the Tax Code, without creating new funding sources or altering tax rates.
HB 299 limits annual spending increases for local governments (like counties, cities, school districts, and special districts) that impose property taxes or issue bonds. It requires these entities to calculate a spending cap based on the previous year's inflation rate (measured by the consumer price index) plus their population growth rate. The bill defines key terms like "disaster relief cost" to exclude emergency spending from the spending cap calculation. This policy change directly affects how local governments budget and set property tax rates, tying spending limits to measurable economic and demographic factors.
HJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the full market value of primary homes from property taxes for Texans aged 65 or older who have held the exemption for 10 consecutive years, and for surviving spouses aged 55 or older who continued living in the home after their spouse’s death. The exemption would apply to the total market value (not just a portion), take effect January 1, 2027, if approved by voters, and require the legislature to develop revenue protection formulas for school districts. Exceptions allow continued taxation for properties with debt backed by property taxes until the debt is paid. The amendment must be voted on by Texas voters in a May 2, 2026, election.
HB 301 creates a new property tax exemption for Texas homeowners aged 65 or older who have already received a homestead exemption for at least 10 consecutive years. It also extends this full exemption to surviving spouses aged 55 or older who were living in the same home when their spouse died (and meet other conditions). The bill directly affects elderly homeowners and their surviving spouses by eliminating all property taxes on their primary residence homestead. This policy change modifies Texas Tax Code Section 11.13 to add these specific exemption criteria, effective only if a related constitutional amendment passes or fails as specified.
This is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) introduced by Representative Lujan in the Texas House of Representatives. It honors Flaco Jiménez, a legendary San Antonio accordionist and Tex-Mex music pioneer who died in 2025, by recognizing his life, career, and contributions to American music. The resolution pays tribute to his Grammy Awards, National Medal of Arts, influence on musicians like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, and his community work. It does not create any new laws or affect any policies - it solely serves as a formal expression of respect from the Texas Legislature to Jiménez and his family.
HJR 40 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to require a two-thirds majority of members present for a quorum in either the Texas Senate or House of Representatives, instead of the current simple majority requirement. If approved by voters in the May 2026 election, this change would directly affect how often Texas lawmakers can legally conduct business, potentially making it harder to reach quorum. The amendment would alter a core procedural rule governing legislative operations for both chambers. This is a procedural change requiring voter approval, not a policy shift affecting public programs or services.
