Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 1716: Relating to measures to support the enrollment of students with a nontraditional secondary education at public institutions of higher education, including eligibility for certain student financial assistance programs.

SB 1716 helps students who completed nontraditional secondary education (like homeschooling or alternative programs without standard high school rankings) enroll at Texas public colleges. It requires institutions to assign class ranks using median standardized test scores from applicants with similar scores, rather than traditional rankings. The bill also updates eligibility for TEXAS grants to include these students if they meet other academic requirements. Public colleges must post the median test scores used for ranking online. This affects students seeking admission and financial aid at Texas public universities and colleges.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Texas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 2101: Relating to the prohibition of access by minors to sexually explicit materials in municipal public library collections; providing a civil penalty.

This bill prohibits Texas municipal public libraries from maintaining sexually explicit materials (depicting sexual conduct) in sections accessible to minors under 18. Libraries must implement age verification for such materials and conduct annual reviews to remove prohibited content from children’s or teens’ sections within 45 days of discovery. Violations could result in loss of state funding or a $10,000 civil penalty per violation. The Texas State Library Commission will enforce these requirements, with initial library reviews due by 2027.

in committee · Texas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 750: Relating to the exemption of tuition and laboratory fees at public institutions of higher education for certain paramedics.

SB 750 exempts employed paramedics working for Texas local governments (like cities or counties) from paying tuition and laboratory fees at public colleges when taking emergency medical services courses. This applies to paramedics currently employed by a political subdivision, but requires them to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate. The exemption does not cover security deposits, additional tuition charges for residents, or graduate-level fees exceeding standard rates. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must create rules defining qualifying paramedic certifications and a uniform list of eligible degree programs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House May 5, 2025

HB 2133: Relating to a one-time credit against the ad valorem taxes imposed by a taxing unit on the first property that a person purchases and qualifies as the person's residence homestead and to the effect of the credit on the determination of the taxable value of a school district.

HB 2133 creates a one-time property tax credit for first-time homebuyers in Texas who establish their primary residence on a property. The credit equals the lesser of $3,000 multiplied by the portion of taxes paid to a specific taxing unit (like a city or county) or half the taxes owed to that unit. To qualify, applicants must file an application with their local chief appraiser by the deadline for homestead exemptions, affirming they’ve never previously claimed this credit. The bill also adjusts school district taxable value calculations to exclude the credit amount when determining school funding, ensuring the credit doesn’t reduce overall tax revenue for school districts. The bill is currently pending in committee and not yet law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Texas · House May 5, 2025

HB 2214: Relating to notice requirements for a leased dwelling located in a floodplain.

HB 2214 modifies Texas Property Code to clarify notice requirements for tenants in floodplain leased dwellings. It exempts short-term leases (under 30 days) and temporary residential arrangements tied to property sales (max 90 days) from mandatory floodplain notices. Landlords must provide written notices via lease addendum, separate document, or lease paragraph - signed by both parties - before lease execution. The changes apply only to leases entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025.

in committee · Texas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1367: Relating to the authority of the commissioners court of a county to adopt an exemption from ad valorem taxation by the county of a portion, expressed as a dollar amount, of the appraised value of an individual's residence homestead.

HB 1367 would allow Texas counties to create a $100,000 property tax exemption for homeowners' primary residences, adopted by county commissioners courts before July 1 each year. The exemption applies only to the county's portion of property taxes (not school or other taxes) and cannot exceed $100,000 per home. This bill requires voter approval of a related constitutional amendment in 2025 to take effect, with implementation beginning January 2026. It directly affects homeowners in counties that choose to adopt this exemption, reducing their county property tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Texas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 1672: Relating to the inclusion of instruction in personal financial literacy in the required curriculum for public high school students.

SB 1672 requires Texas public high schools to offer at least one mandatory course focused on personal financial literacy, with at least two-thirds of the course time dedicated to topics like budgeting, debt management, and investing. This policy directly affects all public high school students in Texas, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates the State Board of Education to adopt rules ensuring this curriculum requirement is implemented. It does not change existing graduation standards but adds a specific financial literacy component to required coursework.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Texas · House May 5, 2025

HB 952: Relating to the electronic identification and tracking of early voting ballots voted by mail.

HB 952 requires all mail-in early voting ballots to include a unique electronic code that election officials can scan to verify authenticity. It mandates that clerks and ballot boards use electronic devices to check these codes against issued ballots before counting, rejecting any ballot with a mismatched code. The bill explicitly prohibits creating records linking individual voters to these codes, ensuring voter anonymity. This change applies to all mail-in ballots processed under Texas election law, taking effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Texas · House May 5, 2025

HB 3581: Relating to the period for redeeming the residence homestead of an elderly person sold at an ad valorem tax sale.

HB 3581 extends the redemption period for elderly homeowners whose primary residences (homesteads) were sold at a tax sale. Currently, owners have two years to reclaim their property by paying the purchase price plus fees and a 25-50% premium; this bill adds a third year of redemption. The bill directly affects seniors (65+ years, as defined by Texas law) who lost their homesteads to tax sales but wish to regain ownership. Key provision: It amends Texas Tax Code to allow redemption "on or before a later anniversary" of the sale date, specifically adding a third year with the same premium structure (25% in first year, 50% in second/third years). This change aims to provide more time for elderly residents to recover their homes after tax delinquency.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Texas · House May 5, 2025

HB 3529: Relating to the temporary sale of alcoholic beverages at certain racing facilities.

HB 3529 allows racing facilities with seating capacity over 40,000 to temporarily sell alcohol during motor racing events or similar events held at the facility. It permits mixed beverage permit holders to sell distilled spirits, wine, and malt beverages for up to five consecutive days (six if events are postponed due to natural disasters), with specific restrictions including a limit of two drinks per person, no sales in factory-sealed containers, and sales must stop after 75% of the feature race or one hour before the last event ends. The bill also requires permit holders to purchase alcohol from authorized local distributors and report sales data to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. This affects large racing venues, their licensed vendors, and attendees at these events.

in committee · Texas · House May 5, 2025

HB 1370: Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the appraised value of real property that arises from the use of xeriscape on the property.

HB 1370 would create a property tax exemption for the portion of a property's appraised value resulting from using xeriscape landscaping (water-conserving landscaping that reduces irrigation needs). Property owners who implement xeriscape would have that specific value increase excluded from their ad valorem tax assessment. The exemption would apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in the 2025 election. If the amendment fails, the bill would not take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 82: Relating to civil liability of a business in connection with prohibiting concealed handguns on the business premises.

SB 82 protects businesses that post required signs prohibiting concealed handguns on their premises from civil liability if a criminal act occurs there. Specifically, it adds a new immunity provision to the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, stating that businesses complying with Section 30.06 of the Penal Code (by posting proper signs) cannot be sued for damages related to crimes committed on their property. This directly affects Texas businesses that choose to enforce handgun prohibitions through signage. The law would take effect September 1, 2025, applying only to claims arising after that date.

Bill results