Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 1892: Relating to the Uniform Unregulated Child Custody Transfer Act; creating criminal offenses.

HB 1892 creates criminal penalties for unregulated transfers of child custody in Texas. It defines "unregulated custody transfer" as moving a child between states without court approval, targeting individuals or agencies (like intermediaries) who facilitate such transfers without legal oversight. The law specifically prohibits actions like moving a child across state lines without a court order, with penalties including fines or jail time for violations. It applies to all children under 18, except cases governed by federal Indian Child Welfare Act protections. The bill aims to prevent illegal custody arrangements by establishing clear criminal consequences for unauthorized transfers.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 3302: Relating to the designation of a portion of Farm-to-Market Road 852 in Upshur County as the Petty Officer Billy Machen Bridge.

HB 3302 designates a specific bridge on Farm-to-Market Road 852 crossing Lake Gilmer in Upshur County as the "Petty Officer Billy Machen Bridge." The bill requires the Texas Department of Transportation to install markers at both ends of the bridge displaying this name and relevant information. This is a ceremonial designation with no funding, regulatory changes, or policy impacts - only renaming an existing bridge structure. The bill does not affect any specific individuals or groups beyond the standard bridge naming process.

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HJR 40: Proposing a constitutional amendment to remove the requirement that a home equity loan be closed only at the office of the lender, an attorney at law, or a title company.

HJR 40 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove a requirement that home equity loans must be closed only at a lender's office, an attorney's office, or a title company. This change would allow these loans to be finalized at other locations, directly affecting Texas homeowners seeking home equity financing. The amendment targets Section 50(a) of the Texas Constitution, which currently restricts where such loans can be processed. The bill is pending in committee after being reported favorably.

in committee · Texas · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 640: Relating to required reporting by the Department of Family and Protective Services regarding youth in the managing conservatorship of the department who attempt suicide.

SB 640 requires the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to include specific data on youth in its conservatorship who attempt suicide in its annual public report. The bill mandates that DFPS report the number of such suicide attempts, along with related statistics on mental health services and placements, as part of its existing annual transparency reporting. This data must be published electronically by August 1 each year for public access. The bill directly affects youth under DFPS conservatorship and the department itself, which must collect and disclose this information.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 636: Relating to coverage for mental health conditions and substance use disorders under certain governmental health benefit plans.

SB 636 would require certain state-run health benefit plans to provide mental health and substance use disorder coverage at the same level as physical health care. It specifically applies to basic coverage plans under Chapters 1551, 1575, 1579, and 1601 of the Texas Insurance Code, directly affecting state employees and other enrollees in these plans. The bill amends insurance code sections to mandate parity, ensuring these services aren't subject to stricter limits than physical health care. Key provisions clarify which plans must comply and exclude certain policy types like short-term travel or accident-only coverage. The bill was reported adversely by the Health & Human Services Committee in April 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 1554: Relating to a political subdivision's authority to use public money in the provision of legal services for individuals unlawfully present in the United States.

HB 1554 prohibits Texas cities, counties, and other local governments from using public funds to provide legal services for individuals unlawfully present in the U.S. under federal immigration law (8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq.), including funding for removal proceedings or immigration-related civil cases. It specifically bans using grants or seeking state reimbursement for such services, though it does not affect criminal defense for indigent defendants under Article 1.051 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The law applies to all political subdivisions and takes effect September 1, 2025. This directly affects local governments that previously funded immigration legal aid programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Immigration

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 3846: Relating to peace officers, including reserve peace officers, and the employment activities of those officers.

HB 3846 amends Texas law to clarify the authority and limitations for reserve peace officers working under sheriffs (reserve deputies) and constables (reserve deputy constables). The bill specifies that these officers may only carry weapons or act as peace officers during actual duties unless authorized by their agency, and they cannot use police vehicles outside their county for private gain. It also requires reserve officers to hold proper licenses for licensed law enforcement activities and explicitly excludes them from full-time employment benefits and pension funds. The changes aim to standardize reserve officer roles while preventing misuse of authority or benefits.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 3525: Relating to the authority of the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District to consider certain factors before granting or denying a permit.

HB 3525 requires the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District to consider whether a water permit application involves using water "wholly or partly to provide water to a pond or lake to enhance the appearance of the landscape" before granting or denying the permit. This directly affects property owners, developers, or businesses seeking groundwater permits for landscape features like decorative ponds. The bill amends the district’s permit process to mandate this specific consideration as part of their evaluation. It does not change water rights or usage limits, only adding one factor to the district’s decision-making criteria.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 2892: Relating to the prohibited release by a public agency of personal affiliation information regarding the members, supporters, or volunteers of or donors to certain nonprofit organizations; creating a criminal offense.

HB 2892 prohibits Texas public agencies from requiring or disclosing personal information identifying individuals who are members, supporters, volunteers, or donors to certain nonprofits (specifically 501(c) organizations or Texas nonprofit corporations). It bans agencies from compiling, sharing, or publicly releasing such "personal affiliation information," including lists of donors or supporters provided to contractors or grantees. Exceptions apply only if the information was voluntarily shared by the individual or nonprofit. Violations would constitute a criminal offense under the law.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 5010: Relating to the memorial designation of certain portions of an international border wall and the use of grants related to homeland security for those purposes.

HB 5010 establishes rules for naming sections of Texas' border wall and creating memorial markers for those sections. It allows naming a border wall segment only after a deceased person who was a victim of a crime (including border-related crimes) committed by an alien, as defined in the Penal Code. The Texas Facilities Commission must erect these memorial markers, but can only do so if private donations, grants, or gifts cover all costs - state funds cannot be used. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to border wall segments built by Texas on state-owned land.

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 4201: Relating to the locations where a handgun license holder may carry a handgun.

HB 4201 modifies Texas laws regarding where licensed handgun holders may carry firearms, primarily affecting school districts and government entities. The bill requires school districts claiming a "good cause" exception to develop an alternative security standard, such as employing trained school marshals or contracted security officers who have completed specific safety training. It also prohibits state agencies and political subdivisions from issuing notices implying licensed handgun carriers are prohibited from entering their premises, unless prohibited by law. The bill directly impacts school safety policies, licensed handgun holders, and government entities' communication about firearm carry rules.

in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 4438: Relating to a preceptorship program in a pediatric subspecialty for medical students in this state.

HB 4438 establishes a statewide pediatric subspecialty preceptorship program for medical students in Texas. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board would contract with eligible organizations (such as tax-exempt nonprofits or accredited medical schools) to operate the program, requiring participating students to express interest in pediatric medical specialties. The program begins for the 2025-2026 academic year and aims to support medical students pursuing careers in pediatric subspecialties.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results