Texas Bills

SB 44 creates a new elected office for the district attorney of the 273rd Judicial District, representing Sabine County in district courts. It amends the Government Code to clarify that voters in Sabine and San Augustine counties elect the 1st Judicial District's district attorney, while Sabine County residents will elect a separate district attorney for the 273rd Judicial District starting in 2028. The new office takes effect January 1, 2029, for the 2028 elections. This procedural bill directly affects Sabine County residents by establishing a dedicated local prosecutor position.

HB 182 creates the Texas Flash Flood Alley Interoperability Council to improve emergency communication systems in the Balcones Fault Zone, a region prone to flash flooding. The council will develop strategic plans for compatible communication equipment among first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs), coordinate emergency management for flood events, and administer grants to help local governments (cities, counties, special districts) purchase interoperable equipment. The bill specifically targets communities within the Balcones Fault Zone to ensure first responders can communicate effectively during emergencies. It establishes a six-member council appointed by state leadership and requires a strategic plan for emergency communication infrastructure. The grant program provides direct funding assistance for local governments to upgrade their communication systems to work together seamlessly.

This is a commemorative resolution (HCR 5) honoring Richard Augustus Hewitt of San Antonio, who passed away on October 30, 2024. The resolution recognizes his 20-year U.S. Air Force service, career with Burroughs Corporation, 57-year involvement with the Masonic lodge, and dedication to family and community. It formally pays tribute to his life and extends sympathy to his family. As a procedural resolution, it has no policy impact and serves solely as a gesture of remembrance by the Texas Legislature.

HB 179 repeals the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and its associated fund, effective December 1, 2025, contingent on voter approval of a related constitutional amendment. The bill directs the comptroller to transfer all funds previously allocated to the institute to the Texas Education Agency to reduce the state's property tax compression percentage for school districts. This transfer would use the funds for property tax relief, specifically targeting the reduction of the compression percentage under Education Code Section 48.255. The bill has no effect if voters reject the constitutional amendment.

HR 28 is a resolution by the Texas House of Representatives to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Glen Cove Baptist Church, founded in 1900. The resolution recognizes the church’s history, including its founding with 24 members, relocation to its current site in 1948, community programs, and its role in establishing a local volunteer fire department in 2008. It does not create new laws or policies - it is purely symbolic, expressing the House’s recognition and including a copy of the resolution for the church. This is a procedural commemorative resolution with no direct policy impact.

HB 180 repeals the creation of the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, established under Chapter 483 of the Government Code. The bill directs the comptroller to transfer all funds previously allocated to this office to the Texas Education Agency. This transfer aims to reduce the state's compression percentage for education funding under Section 48.255 of the Education Code to the lowest possible rate. The legislation directly affects the eliminated office and the Texas Education Agency, with concrete policy changes focused on reallocating resources and adjusting education funding mechanics.

HB 177 creates the Texas Commission on Assessment and Accountability to develop recommendations for improving public school assessment and accountability systems in Texas. The commission will consist of 19 members: four appointed by the governor (including a classroom teacher with specific experience), seven by the lieutenant governor, seven by the House speaker, and one from the State Board of Education. Members must reflect Texas's ethnic and geographic diversity, and they cannot be employees or contractors of education agencies. The commission will operate without member compensation but will receive expense reimbursement for duties related to reviewing school accountability practices.

HJR 25 proposes a constitutional amendment to repeal Texas' Dementia Prevention and Research Institute and its dedicated fund, redirecting $3 billion to the Texas Education Agency for property tax relief. If approved by voters, this would eliminate state funding for dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's research while using those funds to reduce property tax rates. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election.

This is a commemorative resolution, not a substantive bill. It formally congratulates Joseph C. Longway on retiring as Northwest Region chief of the Texas Department of Public Safety after 36 years of service. The resolution expresses the Texas House of Representatives' appreciation for his career and provides him with a copy of the resolution as a gesture of recognition. It has no policy impact or effect on any laws or regulations.

HB 186 requires the Texas Water Development Board to study how to simplify the state environmental review process for flood control and drainage projects seeking funding from the state's flood infrastructure fund (under Water Code Chapter 15). The study must be completed by January 1, 2027, after which the Board must implement new internal procedures to streamline these reviews based on the findings. This bill directly affects projects eligible for flood infrastructure funding, aiming to reduce administrative delays without changing funding eligibility. The bill expires September 1, 2027, and is procedural in nature (focusing on study and process changes, not direct policy or funding).

HR 30 is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) that formally commemorates the first annual West Texas BBQ Cook-Off in El Paso, scheduled for October 17-18, 2025. It expresses the Texas House of Representatives' support for the event, which is sanctioned by the International Barbeque Cookers Association as a state championship cook-off. The resolution has no policy impact or financial provisions - it simply extends "sincere best wishes" to organizers and participants. This type of resolution does not affect legislation, funding, or any specific group beyond symbolic recognition.

HB 190 allows Texas counties to establish drainage utilities for unincorporated areas and adopt land use regulations - such as setback requirements, lot size standards, and landscaping rules - to manage flood risks without banning all development in floodplains. It also authorizes counties with populations of 3.3 million or more (or bordering such counties) to impose impact fees on new developments to fund stormwater and flood control improvements. County land use rules must be directly tied to flood management, and municipal ordinances override conflicting county regulations. The bill provides counties with new tools for flood mitigation but does not require them to implement these measures.