HB 68 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study the costs of building flood infrastructure across Texas. The study must map areas with high development costs (high-cost drainage zones), analyze factors like soil conditions, permits, and materials, and create a cost "heat map" showing regional variations. It will also evaluate flood protection options (like drainage systems and natural restoration) and project future costs using NOAA weather data. The findings, due by December 2026, will help communities and local governments in high-cost areas plan and secure funding for flood infrastructure.
HB 117 would allow Texas counties to regulate impervious surfaces (like concrete or pavement) in unincorporated areas to address flood risks. It specifically permits counties to set rules for reducing flood danger, supporting flood infrastructure projects, improving drainage, or using natural solutions like rain gardens. This applies only to rural areas outside city limits, not incorporated municipalities. The bill does not create new taxes or fees but gives counties a legal basis to manage land use for water-related safety.
HB 171 requires owners or operators of commercial campgrounds located near flood-prone water to provide written flood risk notices to campers (or parents/guardians for minors) before access, and obtain a signed acknowledgment of receipt. The bill directly affects campground operators in flood-risk areas, mandating these notices for cabins, RV sites, or tent spaces used for temporary stays. Non-compliance results in a $1,000 civil penalty per violation, with the state able to collect penalties through legal action. The bill is currently pending in committee and has not yet taken effect.
HB 123 requires youth camp operators in Texas to meet new health and safety standards established by the state health department. It directly affects camp operators by mandating specific provisions, including adequate supervision, staff qualifications, sanitation, medical services, and flood/fire safety measures. Key new requirements include prohibiting overnight camps in flood plains, requiring flotation devices near water, maintaining weather-alert radios, and installing emergency warning systems that integrate with weather services and local emergency networks. The bill aims to standardize safety protocols for all youth camps operating under state licensing.
HB 288 requires Texas medical schools to use letter grades (A-F) for all coursework instead of pass/fail, and prohibits changing academic standards without notifying the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. It also mandates that medical schools consider standardized test scores for admissions but not use them as the sole factor, and explicitly bans considering race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions or employment decisions. The bill directly affects all medical schools in Texas, including those within universities that award medical degrees. Key provisions include mandatory letter grading, advance notice for academic standard changes, and non-discrimination requirements in admissions and hiring. This legislation modifies Texas Education Code Sections 51.3095, 51.8425, and 51.9247.
HB 46 sets a spending cap for Texas counties, cities, school districts, and other local governments authorized to levy property taxes or issue bonds. It limits annual expenditures to either the previous year's total spending or that amount adjusted for population growth and inflation. Local governments must calculate this annual adjustment using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and post it online by January 31. Exceptions allow exceeding the cap if two-thirds of voters approve additional spending in a special election.
This bill establishes spending limits for Texas cities and counties. It requires local governments to keep annual spending within the greater of last year's total spending or last year's spending adjusted for inflation and population growth (calculated by the Legislative Budget Board). Exceptions allow exceeding the limit if voters approve it via election or during a state-declared disaster. The bill directly affects all Texas municipalities and counties by modifying their financial planning requirements.
HB 293 prohibits Texas legislators and certain political committees from accepting political contributions during periods when a legislative house lacks a quorum (minimum members required to conduct business). Specifically, lawmakers must refuse and return any contributions received during such periods within 30 days. The bill applies only to contributions accepted after its effective date (91 days post-session) and includes a mail delivery exception using postmark dates. This policy change directly affects legislators and affiliated committees during legislative sessions when quorum is absent.
HB 291 requires Texas medical schools to ensure at least 50% of required coursework for medical degrees uses letter grades (A-F) or equivalent tiered systems for assessment. It prohibits medical schools from using standardized test scores as the sole factor in admissions decisions and mandates that schools must notify the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before revising admission or academic standards. The bill also explicitly prohibits medical schools from considering race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions or employment decisions. These provisions apply to all medical schools in Texas offering medical degrees or certificates.
HJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to repeal Texas law requiring land to remain in agricultural use for a specific period to qualify for lower property tax rates based on farming productivity. It would also eliminate the additional tax penalty currently applied if such land is diverted from agriculture or sold. This change would affect Texas landowners who currently use the agricultural appraisal method for property taxes. The repeal would take effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2027, and applies only to land subject to this appraisal method after that date. The amendment must be approved by voters in the May 2, 2026 election.
HB 290 restricts the use of specific agricultural products containing PFAS chemicals in Johnson County, Texas, directly affecting farmers, manufacturers, and sellers of fertilizers or soil amendments made from sewage sludge. It bans materials with PFAS concentrations exceeding set limits (e.g., 900 parts per trillion for perfluorooctanoic acid) when used as fertilizers or soil amendments. Violations create a criminal offense for manufacturing, selling, distributing, or applying products above these thresholds. The law applies only to Johnson County due to its population size (175,000-195,000 residents per census).
HB 292 regulates the application of biosolids (treated sewage sludge) on non-agricultural land like parks, golf courses, and athletic fields by requiring permits. It mandates detailed quarterly reporting on sludge sources, locations, application dates, and metal content, plus annual compliance verification with nutrient management plans. The bill also requires visible signage at application sites and immediate reporting of violations. These provisions apply to all non-agricultural land applications and specifically target agricultural land in counties with populations between 170,000 and 190,000. The bill does not prohibit biosolids use but establishes strict permitting and transparency requirements.
