This is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) honoring the Burgess family. It pays tribute to John Louis Burgess IV, Julia Walsh Anderson Burgess, John Louis Burgess V, and James Littleton Burgess, who died in the 2025 Hill Country floods. The Texas House of Representatives resolves to extend sympathy to the family, including their daughter Jenna Burgess and surviving relatives. The resolution serves solely as a memorial expression, with no legislative action or policy changes.
HB 124 requires youth camps located within or within five feet of a 100-year floodplain to meet new minimum building standards designed to minimize flood damage to structures. The bill directly affects youth camps in high-risk flood areas by mandating specific construction and maintenance requirements for buildings and facilities. Key provisions include requiring the executive commissioner to establish these flood-resistant building standards through rulemaking. The law aims to prevent flooding of camp buildings and physical facilities in vulnerable floodplain locations, without altering existing camp safety rules for other areas.
This is a ceremonial resolution (HR 14), not a policy bill. It formally congratulates Assistant Chief Ronald "Joe" Clapp on his retirement from the Denison Police Department after 37 years of service. The resolution highlights his career milestones, including promotions, awards, and professional development, and expresses the Texas House of Representatives' appreciation. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any policies or people beyond honoring Clapp personally.
HB 125 amends Texas law to add three specific substances - carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant), mifepristone (a medication used in medical procedures), and misoprostol (a medication used in medical procedures) - to Schedule IV of the Texas Controlled Substances Act. This designation subjects these substances to stricter state-level regulation under Texas law, affecting law enforcement, pharmacies, and healthcare providers who handle them. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date. It does not change federal classifications or existing medical uses of these drugs.
HB 121, the Flood Victims Memorial Plaques Act, requires the Texas Historical Commission to install commemorative plaques in each impacted Texas House district honoring victims of the 2025 Hill Country flood. The Commission must work with local governments, families of victims, and communities to select locations and determine plaque content, which must include the flood dates and may list victim names and ages. This bill directly affects families of flood victims and communities in districts impacted by the 2025 flood. The plaques serve as permanent memorials to the event, with implementation beginning 91 days after the legislative session ends.
This resolution (HR 13) commemorates the 200th anniversary of Gonzales' founding in 2025. It recognizes the city's historical significance, including its role in the Texas Revolution (notably the "Come and Take It" cannon incident in 1835) and its development as a cultural and economic center. The resolution, introduced by Representative Schoolcraft, formally extends the Texas House of Representatives' recognition to Gonzales residents and their bicentennial celebration. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely honors the city's heritage.
SB 29 establishes requirements for court security committees in Texas municipalities and counties. It mandates these committees to develop emergency management plans, set security policies, and recommend resource use for courthouses - comprising a presiding judge, law enforcement rep, municipality representative, and others. The bill also increases criminal penalties for harassing court employees or judges and directs commissioners courts and municipalities to prioritize committee recommendations for security funding. This directly affects local courts, security personnel, judges, and employees by creating structured security planning and strengthening protections against harassment.
HB 122 exempts property owned by qualifying nonprofit corporations from property taxes in Texas counties with 3.3 million or more residents. The exemption applies specifically to properties used for promoting agriculture, supporting youth programs, and providing community educational support. To qualify, nonprofits must be organized exclusively for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes under Texas law. This policy change directly affects eligible nonprofits in large counties (like Harris County) by reducing their property tax burden, but excludes for-profit leases of such properties.
This is a ceremonial resolution (HCR 3) congratulating Senior Life Midland Meals on Wheels for delivering its five millionth meal to homebound seniors. It formally recognizes the organization's 50+ year history of providing nutritious meals and social support to older adults in Midland, Texas. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as an official expression of appreciation from the Texas Legislature.
HB 127 prohibits local governments, such as cities, counties, and school districts, from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit organizations that hire lobbyists to influence state legislation. The bill bans these expenditures and allows taxpayers or residents to sue to stop the spending and recover attorney fees if a violation occurs. This directly affects how local governments may spend taxpayer money on lobbying efforts, restricting the use of public funds for advocacy with the legislature. The bill creates a new legal provision in the Government Code to enforce this restriction.
This Texas bill establishes a process to redistribute excess funds collected by county probate courts. If a county deposits more into the judicial fund than its allocated share under current law, the state comptroller must return the overpayment proportionally to that county. The funds come from fees paid to statutory probate courts, including electronic filing fees and other court collections. Counties affected are those that contributed more than their entitled share under existing funding formulas. The redistribution applies automatically to all counties meeting the criteria, ensuring no county pays more than its fair share.
HB 126 modifies Texas Property Code §92.054 to clarify landlords' responsibilities when residential rental units become uninhabitable due to the landlord's negligence or fault (e.g., structural damage from poor maintenance). It requires landlords to either provide comparable replacement rental units for the tenant's remaining lease term or reimburse the tenant for the rent difference if comparable units aren't available. This applies only to new or renewed leases entered after the bill's effective date. The law adds these obligations to existing tenant remedies under the Property Code, focusing on concrete financial and housing protections for tenants.
