HB 188 allows Texas counties to regulate impervious cover (such as pavement, rooftops, and concrete) in unincorporated areas to address flooding and drainage. It authorizes county commissioners courts to set rules for four specific purposes: reducing flood risk, supporting flood projects, improving drainage, and promoting natural flood mitigation features. This applies only to areas outside city limits, where counties have primary land-use authority. The bill becomes effective 91 days after the legislative session ends.
HB 189 allows homeowners to immediately begin emergency repairs on damaged residential buildings without prior permits if the work is necessary to protect public safety, prevent further damage, or maintain structural integrity. The bill requires owners to apply for an emergency permit within three business days of starting repairs, but prohibits repairs classified as "new construction" or "substantial improvements" under federal standards. Municipalities and counties must permit such immediate repairs and cannot block them, though they may still conduct safety inspections and owners must comply with other health/safety laws. Homeowners who face illegal denial of these repairs can sue municipalities for damages, including attorney fees. This bill directly affects residential property owners and local governments in Texas.
HB 185 establishes new rules for Texas first responders' emergency communication networks. It requires the state department to select a broadband provider with statewide coverage (including disaster-prone areas) for its own employees, maintain a public database of providers showing service areas and reliability, and submit annual reports to lawmakers on costs, network effectiveness during emergencies, and usage data. Non-department first responders may receive assistance from the department in securing or renewing these services. The bill mandates regular reporting on network performance to improve emergency communication resilience.
HCR 6 designates Newton County as the official Forest Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035. The resolution highlights the county's natural resources, including the Sabine National Forest, Big Thicket National Preserve, and popular fishing areas like the Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir, as the basis for the designation. This non-binding ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally recognizes Newton County's role in promoting forest conservation and outdoor recreation.
HB 187 establishes a state-level protocol for activating outdoor warning sirens during emergencies, requiring all Texas cities, counties, and emergency management agencies to adopt uniform standards. The bill mandates the Texas Division of Emergency Management to create a protocol with specific activation criteria (like National Weather Service warnings for tornadoes or flash floods) and guidance for integrating sirens with other alert systems. It also creates an advisory committee of emergency management professionals to help develop the protocol, while explicitly excluding oversight of siren testing, maintenance, or geographic coverage. Political subdivisions operating sirens must implement this protocol, which will be published online for public access.
SB 45 requires Texas to use federal reimbursements for border security costs toward property tax relief. Specifically, the comptroller must calculate annual federal reimbursements for border security expenses and deposit that exact amount into a dedicated fund. This fund can only be used by the legislature to reduce property taxes (ad valorem tax relief) for Texas residents. The bill applies starting September 1, 2026, ensuring border security reimbursements directly benefit taxpayers through lower property tax bills.
This concurrent resolution (HCR 4) is a non-binding request from the Texas Legislature urging the U.S. Department of Justice to release all documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. It directly addresses the Department of Justice and the Trump administration, which previously claimed they would release files but later stated no "client list" existed. The resolution cites ongoing public concerns about transparency after the DOJ posted a memo denying the existence of the requested information. As a procedural resolution, it has no legal force but formally calls for the release of complete Epstein case files.
HB 183 requires developers to include certified proof of groundwater availability when submitting land subdivision maps for properties where groundwater is the intended water source. This applies to all subdivision plats in Texas, directly affecting developers, landowners, and local planning authorities. The bill mandates certification by a licensed Texas engineer or geoscientist and specifies that local governments (municipalities or commissioners courts) must reject applications lacking this evidence. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality will establish the exact rules for certification forms and acceptable evidence of groundwater supply.
HB 184 reduces the maximum compressed tax rate school districts can levy for the 2026-2027 school year by directing federal border security funds to the Texas Education Agency for this purpose. It modifies the Education Code to require the commissioner to calculate each district's rate and reduce it by an equal amount using the appropriated funds, while ensuring no district's rate falls below 90% of another district's rate. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts by lowering their allowable tax rates for one school year. This policy change uses federal funds specifically designated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. L. No. 119-21) and expires September 1, 2028.
HB 165 requires Texas local governments to adopt comprehensive disaster plans addressing vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, the homeless, and low-income households. It mandates a state-developed model guide for officials covering debris removal, federal funding access, housing coordination, and volunteer organization collaboration. The bill also requires emergency plans to include disability-specific measures like equitable shelter access, emergency notifications, wellness checks, and coordination with disability service providers. Additionally, it directs the State Health Services Department to create a public education program on disaster preparedness. These changes directly affect local emergency management officials and all Texas communities during disaster response and recovery.
HJR 22 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing Texas lawmakers to limit annual increases in the appraised value used for commercial property taxes. It would authorize the legislature to cap the taxable value of qualifying commercial properties at 120% (or a higher percentage) of the previous year's appraised value, preventing sudden tax jumps tied to market fluctuations. This directly affects commercial property owners by potentially reducing their annual tax burden if market values rise sharply. The amendment requires voter approval in the May 2, 2026 election and would take effect if passed, giving the legislature power to create specific rules for eligible properties. It does not change current tax law but enables future legislative action on commercial property taxation.
SB 37 creates two new judicial districts (the 501st and 502nd) entirely within Fort Bend County, Texas. The bill amends the Government Code to establish these districts, specifying that each is composed solely of Fort Bend County. This is a procedural change to the state's judicial district structure, directly affecting court operations in Fort Bend County. The bill takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.
