Texas Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HB 2842: Relating to the control by lethal means of white-tailed deer in certain areas.

HB 2842 allows certain land managers, such as political subdivisions, property associations, or institutions, to control white-tailed deer populations using lethal methods in specific situations. It requires these entities to submit written notice to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department demonstrating either (1) that deer are damaging habitats of endangered species or (2) that deer overpopulation exists on their property and recreational hunting isn’t feasible. The department must inspect the property before approving a permit for lethal control. The bill updates permit rules to include electronic issuance and reporting requirements, but does not authorize hunting for recreational purposes.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 22, 2025

SB 650: Relating to requiring the use of electronically readable information to verify a purchaser's age in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages.

SB 650 requires retailers selling alcohol to verify customer age by scanning driver's licenses or ID cards with electronically readable information. It applies to all retail alcohol sales except on-premises sales at package stores. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, but businesses have until September 1, 2027, to comply, with no penalties for violations before that date. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission must adopt implementing rules by September 2027.

signed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HB 149: Relating to regulation of the use of artificial intelligence systems in this state; providing civil penalties.

HB 149, the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, regulates how businesses use artificial intelligence systems that capture or store biometric data (like fingerprints or facial scans). It requires companies to obtain explicit consent before using biometric data for commercial AI purposes, unless the data was publicly shared by the individual themselves. The law exempts financial institutions retaining voiceprints, AI training data, and systems used for security, fraud prevention, or investigating illegal activity. Violations result in civil penalties, and the law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HB 3372: Relating to prohibiting certain personal services performed by school district administrators; providing a civil penalty.

HB 3372 prohibits school district administrators (excluding classroom teachers) from receiving financial benefits for personal services provided to specific entities, including businesses that work with their school district, curriculum service providers, or other school districts. The law directly affects administrators with significant operational duties, such as those managing campuses or programs, by banning conflicts of interest tied to district business relationships. Violations carry a $10,000 civil penalty per incident, and the bill took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on June 22, 2025. This legislation aims to prevent administrators from profiting from their official positions within the education system.

signed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HCR 108: Urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to maintain the Tomato Suspension Agreement.

This concurrent resolution (HCR 108) urges the U.S. Department of Commerce to maintain the Tomato Suspension Agreement, which prevents a 17.09% tariff on Mexican tomatoes entering the U.S. It directly affects Texas tomato importers, growers, and businesses in the Rio Grande Valley - particularly those in Pharr and Laredo - where Mexican tomatoes contribute over $1.5 billion annually and support 32,000 jobs. The resolution cites that terminating the agreement would cause an estimated $4.5 billion in economic losses for Texas and threaten the closure of many produce warehouses. It does not change laws but formally requests the U.S. Department of Commerce to preserve the existing trade arrangement.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 22, 2025

SB 1758: Relating to the operation of a cement kiln and the production of aggregates near a semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility.

SB 1758 creates a legal exemption for cement kilns and aggregate production facilities that began operations before nearby semiconductor wafer manufacturing plants. Specifically, it states that owners/operators of such pre-existing cement/aggregate facilities cannot be held liable for vibration damage to semiconductor facilities caused by their operations, provided the cement/aggregate facility started before the semiconductor plant. The bill also establishes a two-year pilot program in Grayson County (ending in 2027) to study vibration impacts, managed by the University of Texas Bureau of Economic Geology. This directly affects semiconductor manufacturers and cement/aggregate operators in areas where these facilities operate near each other. The law applies statewide but includes a limited pilot program for Grayson County.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 22, 2025

SB 1362: Relating to prohibiting the recognition, service, and enforcement of extreme risk protective orders; creating a criminal offense.

SB 1362 prohibits Texas state and local entities - including courts, law enforcement, and prosecutors - from recognizing, serving, or enforcing "extreme risk protective orders" (commonly called "red flag" orders). These orders typically restrict firearm access when a court deems someone a risk to themselves or others. The bill creates a criminal offense for violating this prohibition and blocks Texas entities from accepting federal grants meant to implement such orders. It directly affects all Texas government bodies and law enforcement agencies, preventing them from participating in programs that require enforcing these firearm restrictions. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 22, 2025

SB 2078: Relating to the regulation of composting in certain counties; authorizing a civil penalty.

SB 2078 prohibits depositing food waste subject to a commercial food waste composting ordinance (which requires businesses and multifamily properties to divert food waste from landfills) at composting facilities in counties without a municipality that has such an ordinance. It directly affects businesses with food permits and multifamily residential properties in counties with the ordinance, preventing them from sending that waste to composting facilities in counties without the ordinance. Violations carry a $1,000 civil penalty per incident, enforceable by the attorney general. The law excludes agricultural operations from its requirements.

Topics ✗ Environment

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 22, 2025

SB 2206: Relating to a franchise tax credit for, and the application of sales and use taxes to, certain research and development expenses.

SB 2206 creates a state franchise tax credit for businesses conducting qualifying research and development (R&D) activities within Texas. It applies to companies that incur R&D expenses attributable to Texas operations, linking the credit to the federal R&D tax credit reported on IRS Form 6765. The bill defines "qualified research expense" as the portion of federal R&D costs tied to Texas activities, excluding non-Texas expenses. This policy change makes Texas R&D more financially accessible by allowing businesses to claim a state tax credit for eligible local expenses, effective January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

signed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HB 5659: Relating to the procedural requirements applicable to interbasin transfers of water involving the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District.

HB 5659 requires the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District to hold public hearings and obtain approval from a majority of cities that appoint its directors before entering water transfer contracts or seeking permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The bill mandates that the District's Board provide public notice of these hearings following standard meeting notice procedures. It directly affects the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District and the cities with voting rights on its Board. The law adds procedural safeguards to water transfer decisions, ensuring public input and local government approval before such transfers proceed.

signed · Texas · House Jun 22, 2025

HB 766: Relating to the ballot application requirements for the election of a precinct chair.

HB 766 requires candidates for precinct chair in Texas elections to provide either an email address, a phone number, or both in their ballot applications. This rule applies to all candidates running for precinct chair positions and adds to existing ballot requirements. The bill also makes this contact information confidential, preventing it from being disclosed as public records under Texas law. The changes take effect September 1, 2025.

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 22, 2025

SB 646: Relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.

SB 646 creates a program to repay education loans for mental health professionals working in underserved areas of Texas. It defines eligible professionals as psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other licensed providers who complete 1-3 consecutive years of practice in a state-designated mental health shortage area and provide services to Medicaid recipients. The bill requires applicants to apply through the Texas State Board of Examiners and specifies that repayment assistance is tied to service in designated shortage regions. This policy, effective September 1, 2025, aims to address workforce shortages by reducing education debt for providers serving Medicaid patients in underserved communities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare