Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 3317: Relating to the relationship between pharmacists or pharmacies and health benefit plan issuers or pharmacy benefit managers.

HB 3317 requires health benefit plans and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to include a unique identifier on enrollee ID cards, allowing pharmacists to verify if a plan is regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance. It prohibits denying or reducing claim payments after adjudication unless claims were submitted fraudulently, involved duplicate payments, or resulted from significant non-clerical errors by the pharmacy. The bill also restricts recouping payments to only the dispensing fee, not drug costs or other claim-related amounts. These provisions directly affect pharmacies, pharmacists, and health benefit plans/PBMs operating in Texas, excluding Medicaid, Medicare, and other specified programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 5064: Relating to the designation of a portion of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties as the Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway.

HB 5064 would designate a specific segment of U.S. Highway 67 in Dallas and Ellis Counties - between its intersection with U.S. Highway 287 and Interstate 20 - as the "Eddie Bernice Johnson Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the highway and at intermediate locations along the route. This is a ceremonial designation with no impact on highway operations, funding, or regulations. It directly affects the geographic corridor in Dallas and Ellis Counties but does not alter existing transportation policies.

in committee · Texas · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 1528: Relating to reimbursing employees of the Department of Family and Protective Services for loss of or damage to personal property.

This bill (SB 1528) allows the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to reimburse current or former employees for personal property lost or damaged by a client during work duties. It requires the department to use existing resources (no new funding) to cover such losses, such as a personal item damaged during a home visit. The policy applies specifically to DFPS employees whose personal belongings are affected by clients they serve. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 2882: Relating to the definition of short-barrel firearm for purposes of certain criminal offenses.

HB 2882 amends Texas law to clarify the legal definition of a "short-barrel firearm" for criminal offenses. The bill defines it as a rifle with a barrel under 16 inches, a shotgun with a barrel under 18 inches, or any modified rifle/shotgun with an overall length under 26 inches. It specifically excludes handguns equipped with stabilizing braces designed for one-handed use. This definition change will apply to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, affecting individuals charged with crimes involving these firearms under current criminal statutes.

in committee · Texas · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 1368: Relating to an emergency preparedness and contingency operations plan, including temperature regulation, for nursing facility and assisted living facility residents during an emergency; providing penalties.

This bill requires nursing facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas to create emergency plans ensuring resident safety during power outages or other emergencies. Specifically, facilities must provide climate-controlled refuge areas (at least 15 square feet per resident) for residents who can move without assistance, and climate-controlled rooms for residents who cannot move without assistance, maintaining temperatures between 68-82°F. Facilities must also report extended power outages (over 12 hours) to the state commission and include details about backup power systems and resident needs in their plans. Violations can result in penalties assessed by the commission.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 2971: Relating to an agreed divorce order in a suit for dissolution of a marriage.

HB 2971 streamlines uncontested divorces in Texas by allowing courts to adopt written divorce agreements without requiring parties to testify or appear in person. The bill requires agreements to include signatures, marriage/separation dates, property division details (separate vs. community property), and child-related terms (parenting plans, child support) if applicable, along with supporting affidavits verifying fairness and children's best interests. Courts must approve agreements they deem "just and right" and in children's best interest; if not, the case continues. This directly affects married couples seeking uncontested divorces who have mutually agreed on all terms.

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 5182: Relating to the provision of legal services for, and to the collection and deposit of, civil penalties imposed by and other obligations owed to the Texas Ethics Commission.

HB 5182 requires candidates for or appointees to Texas public office to pay all civil penalties imposed by the Texas Ethics Commission before becoming eligible. It amends the Election Code to add a new requirement (Section 141.001(a)(8)) that mandates full payment of these penalties prior to key dates, such as candidate filing deadlines or appointment dates. The bill also prohibits using political contributions to cover these penalties, explicitly adding Section 253.035(c-1) to the Election Code. This directly affects individuals seeking elected or appointed state offices who owe penalties from the Ethics Commission.

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 1604: Relating to public access to criminal proceedings.

HB 1604 requires Texas courts to publicly post key details about pretrial criminal proceedings (under Article 15.17) online or at court locations, including time, location, and access methods (like livestream links). It mandates that courts without physical public access by January 1, 2026, provide livestreams or videoconferencing for clear public viewing. The bill allows the public, media, or the attorney general to seek legal action if access is denied, with cases filed in specific local or Travis County courts. It applies only to proceedings starting on or after January 1, 2026, and takes effect September 1, 2025. The law directly affects courts, arrested individuals, and the public seeking transparency in criminal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 5083: Relating to the adoption and review of rules by state agencies.

HB 5083 requires Texas state agencies to conduct cost-benefit analyses before adopting new rules. The bill mandates that agencies must document expected public benefits and economic costs for the first six years of a rule’s implementation, including specific assumptions and data used. Agencies cannot adopt rules where compliance costs exceed public benefits, nor may they skip cheaper regulatory alternatives that achieve the same legislative goals. This directly affects state agencies creating regulations and the businesses or individuals required to comply with those rules. The law aims to ensure regulatory actions are economically justified before taking effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 3227: Relating to the removal, relocation, alteration, or construction of certain monuments or memorials located on public property; authorizing a civil penalty.

HB 3227 establishes rules for changing monuments or memorials on Texas state property. It requires a two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers to remove, relocate, or alter monuments that have stood for 25 years or more, while allowing state agencies to make changes to newer monuments (under 25 years) through their own governing bodies. The bill specifically defines "monument or memorial" to include statues, plaques, and named places honoring historical events or individuals. It directly affects state agencies managing public monuments and the Texas legislature when handling older memorials. The bill also authorizes civil penalties for violations of these rules.

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 4764: Relating to an annual report on the use of administrative segregation in facilities operated by or under contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

HB 4764 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to submit an annual report by January 31 on the use of administrative segregation (including solitary confinement, death row, and other restrictive housing) in all TDCJ-operated or contracted facilities. The report must include detailed data for each affected inmate, such as their demographics, reasons for placement, duration in segregation, mental health diagnoses, availability of rehabilitative programs, and outcomes like self-harm or suicide attempts. This bill directly affects incarcerated individuals in Texas correctional facilities and ensures transparency for the governor, lieutenant governor, and all state legislators. The mandate focuses on collecting specific, factual data to inform oversight without altering segregation policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House May 12, 2025

HB 1747: Relating to the administration of funding for the coordination of mental health, substance use, and public health care services in this state.

HB 1747 creates a new council and trust fund to improve coordination of mental health, substance use, and public health services in Texas. The bill establishes a 14-member "Mental Health, Substance Use, and Public Health Initiative Council" with members appointed from health professionals, rural hospitals, local health authorities, mental health agencies, and community advocates. The council will oversee the allocation of funds from a new trust fund to ensure fair spending on coordinated care services. This bill directly affects state health agencies, hospitals, mental health authorities, and community health providers by changing how funding is managed and distributed. The bill is currently pending committee review after being reported favorably as substituted.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results