Texas Bills

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 174: Relating to emergency preparedness and safety requirements for youth camps.

HB 174 requires Texas youth camps to meet new emergency safety standards to obtain or renew licenses. It prohibits overnight camps in flood plains and mandates flotation devices in facilities near water in flood-prone areas. Camps must also install emergency warning systems that integrate with weather services and local alerts, include manual activation, and operate without internet. These rules directly affect all licensed youth camp operators in Texas, covering safety during floods, fires, and other emergencies. The bill focuses on concrete operational changes rather than speculative outcomes.

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 169: Relating to a limitation on increases in the appraised value of certain commercial real property for ad valorem tax purposes.

HB 169 limits how much the appraised value of certain commercial properties can increase for property tax purposes. It applies to commercial real property (used for income generation) valued at $10 million or less, excluding properties under specific tax subchapters. The bill caps annual appraised value increases at 20% of the prior year’s appraised value plus the prior year’s value plus the market value of all new improvements (excluding routine repairs). This limitation takes effect January 1, 2027, for properties meeting the criteria. The bill directly affects small commercial property owners by capping their annual tax increases.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HJR 21: Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of certain commercial real property for ad valorem tax purposes.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow the Texas legislature to limit how much commercial real estate can be taxed based on its appraised value. Specifically, it would authorize future laws to cap the taxable value of qualifying commercial properties at 110% (or a higher percentage set by the legislature) of their prior year's appraised value, rather than their full market value. The amendment would only apply to properties meeting specific market value thresholds and defined as "commercial real property" by future legislation. It does not change current tax rates but creates a framework for potential future adjustments to commercial property taxation. The proposed amendment requires voter approval in a 2026 election.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HJR 24: Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing an individual's right to personal reproductive autonomy.

HJR 24 proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Texas law that would establish a fundamental right to personal reproductive autonomy for all individuals residing in Texas. This right would protect decisions about pregnancy, contraception, and other reproductive health care, with any government restriction only allowed if justified by a "compelling state interest" using the "least restrictive means." The amendment would require voter approval on the May 2, 2026 ballot, with the question phrased as "The constitutional amendment establishing an individual's right to personal reproductive autonomy." If approved, this would become part of the Texas Constitution, directly affecting all Texas residents' legal rights regarding reproductive health.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 175: Relating to municipal and county financial requirements.

HB 175 limits annual spending for Texas cities and counties by restricting their total expenditures to either last year's total or an adjusted amount based on inflation and population growth. The bill requires cities/counties to calculate their budget cap using a rate combining the state's inflation rate (from the Consumer Price Index) and population growth rate, both published annually by the Legislative Budget Board. Exceptions allow increased spending if voters approve it or if a governor declares a state disaster affecting the area. This bill directly affects all Texas municipalities and counties managing their annual budgets.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Texas · Senate Jul 22, 2025

SB 38: Relating to the creation of an additional judicial district composed of Brazoria County.

This bill creates a new 490th Judicial District specifically for Brazoria County, Texas. It amends the Government Code to formally define this district's boundaries and establishes it to take effect on September 1, 2026. The bill directly affects Brazoria County by adding a dedicated judicial district for handling court cases within that county.

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HR 26: Congratulating Bryleah N. Collins of Scouting America Troop No. 1105 in Mont Belvieu on attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

This is a ceremonial resolution, not a substantive bill. It formally congratulates Bryleah N. Collins, a high school sophomore from Scouting America Troop No. 1105 in Mont Belvieu, on achieving the Eagle Scout rank. The resolution highlights her earning 41 merit badges and completing a project installing shade structures at a local animal shelter. It has no policy impact or effect on laws, as it solely serves to honor an individual's achievement.

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 170: Relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at public institutions of higher education.

HB 170 requires Texas public universities and colleges to certify compliance with diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements before spending state funds. The bill allows institutions to continue highlighting support for first-generation, low-income, and underserved students in grant applications and accreditation processes, while exempting academic instruction, research, student organizations, admissions, and data collection from its provisions. Institutions must submit annual compliance reports to the legislature and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, testify about their compliance at legislative hearings, and undergo state audits every four years to ensure proper use of state funds. This bill directly affects all public higher education institutions in Texas by establishing reporting, testimony, and audit requirements for funding related to DEI initiatives.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 166: Relating to requiring certain governmental entities to allow interested persons to comment on the proposed adoption or revision of certain emergency management plans.

HB 166 requires state and local government agencies to allow the public to comment on proposed changes to emergency management plans. Specifically, it mandates that agencies give "all interested persons, including those with disabilities," a reasonable opportunity to submit written or oral feedback before adopting or revising these plans. Agencies must fully consider all public submissions, unless the plan contains sensitive infrastructure details. This applies to both the state’s emergency management division (under Section 418.042) and local or regional agencies (under Section 418.106). The bill aims to increase transparency in emergency planning without altering the content of the plans themselves.

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 171: Relating to prohibiting public institutions of higher education from offering programs or courses in LGBTQ or DEI studies.

HB 171 prohibits Texas public universities from offering degree programs, minors, or courses focused on LGBTQ studies or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The bill requires all academic programs to align with a definition of biological sex as "male" or "female" at conception, banning any content promoting "differential treatment" based on race, color, or ethnicity. It mandates annual state audits to ensure compliance, with non-compliant institutions facing withheld state funding and potential penalties for faculty violating the policy. This bill directly affects all 15 public universities in Texas, restricting curricular content and requiring adherence to specific biological sex definitions in academic programs.

Topics ✗ Education

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 173: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying activities.

HB 173 prohibits political subdivisions (like cities, counties, or school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit associations that primarily represent such entities and hire lobbyists. It specifically bans spending public money to: (1) contract with registered lobbyists, or (2) support organizations that hire registered lobbyists for legislative advocacy. Exceptions include activities by sheriffs' associations, employees providing basic information to legislators, or nonprofits offering bill tracking or non-lobbying legislative services. The bill allows taxpayers to seek court injunctions and recover legal fees if a subdivision violates these restrictions.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Texas · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 164: Relating to a study of alternative methods of taxation to replace revenue lost to political subdivisions if ad valorem taxes are abolished.

HB 164 creates a commission to study alternative tax methods that could replace revenue lost by local governments if property taxes are abolished. The commission, composed of the comptroller, legislative appointees, and public members, must report its findings - including legislative recommendations - by December 1, 2026. This bill does not change tax policy but authorizes a study to explore potential replacements for property tax revenue. It expires on September 1, 2027.

Bill results