HB 272 creates a state grant program to reimburse Texas municipalities and counties for helicopter operation costs when responding to multi-county disasters. The comptroller of public accounts will administer the program, covering expenses like fuel and maintenance for locally owned helicopters used during declared emergencies. Eligible entities cannot receive more than $750,000 annually in grants and must certify they aren’t also receiving federal or state funds for the same costs. The program requires standardized applications, spending deadlines, and procedures for monitoring funds, with rules to be established by May 1, 2026.
HB 271 amends the composition of Texas' Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, increasing its membership from 23 to 25 members. The bill adds two new physician specialties (critical care and emergency care), two doulas with specific urban/rural representation requirements (one must specialize in end-of-life care), and a representative from a managed care organization. It also specifies that community members must include one urban and one rural representative, and requires at least one maternal fetal medicine specialist among obstetric physicians. The committee, which analyzes pregnancy-related deaths to improve maternal health outcomes, will now include these additional expertise areas to enhance its review capacity.
HB 270 requires Texas licensing authorities (like the Texas Department of Agriculture or Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) to revoke business licenses for individuals or entities found guilty of price gouging during a declared disaster. Specifically, if the attorney general or a consumer wins a court case under Section 17.46(b)(27) for price gouging, the court must notify relevant licensing authorities within 30 days. The licensing body must then revoke the person’s license through standard procedures if permitted by law. This applies to repeat violations (a second court victory) and directly affects licensed businesses operating in regulated fields during disaster emergencies. The bill takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.
HB 274 requires congregate living facilities (where unrelated individuals reside in close proximity sharing common rooms) to develop and maintain a flood disaster plan, conduct an annual drill of that plan, and submit proof of the drill to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Facilities must implement these measures by January 1, 2027, with the first drill due after that date. Failure to conduct the annual drill may result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation, with each continuing day counting as a separate violation. The bill applies to all such facilities operating in Texas, focusing on preparedness for flood emergencies.
HJR 30 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas cities, counties, and other local governments (excluding school districts and junior colleges) to limit property taxes on the primary homes of low-income elderly (65+) or disabled residents and their surviving spouses. It would let local governments set a tax cap that cannot increase as long as the homeowner maintains their qualifying homestead exemption, or require a voter referendum if 5% of registered voters petition for it. Surviving spouses aged 55+ who meet financial criteria would retain the tax cap after the homeowner's death. The amendment does not create new taxes but restricts existing property tax increases for eligible homeowners, with exceptions for significant home improvements. This is a proposed constitutional change, not an enacted law.
The bill text for HB 278 is not currently available in the provided context. The description only states the bill relates to "voter registration at polling places and related procedures" and notes that the content will be available in a PDF. Without access to the actual bill text or specific provisions, a summary of its mechanisms, effects, or policy changes cannot be provided. Please consult the PDF version of the bill for detailed information.
Based on the provided context, the full text of HB 279 is unavailable (referenced as "not currently available" with a note to see the PDF). The bill's title indicates it relates to "acceptable forms of identification for voting," but specific provisions, affected groups, or policy changes cannot be described without the actual text. Recent actions only confirm it was filed on August 20, 2025, with no further details provided. A complete summary cannot be generated without access to the bill's content.
The bill text for HB 276 ("Relating to electronic voter registration") is not currently available in the provided context. The system indicates the bill is "coming soon" and directs users to a PDF version for content details. Without access to the specific provisions, mechanisms, or affected parties described in the bill, a substantive summary cannot be generated. For accurate information, please consult the official PDF document when available.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to raise the voter approval threshold for school district bond elections in Texas from a simple majority (50%+1) to three-fifths (60%) of voters. It directly affects Texas school districts seeking to issue bonds for building construction or equipment, requiring broader voter support for such bond measures. The amendment would change the Texas Constitution's Article VII, Section 3(e-1), specifically for bond-related ad valorem taxes. The amendment must be approved by voters in a statewide election on May 2, 2026, to take effect.
HB 277 would allow any qualified voter to request a mail-in ballot for early voting without needing an excuse, expanding access to mail-in voting. It also repeals criminal penalties for soliciting and distributing the application forms needed to request a mail-in ballot. This bill directly affects all registered voters in the state and organizations or individuals who assist voters with mail-in ballot applications. The key changes are making mail-in voting more accessible and removing legal barriers around obtaining application forms.
HB 275 would lower the voter approval threshold for school district bond elections in Texas from 60% (three-fifths) to a simple majority (50% plus one vote). This change directly affects Texas public school districts seeking to fund construction or improvements through bond measures. The bill amends Education Code Section 45.003 to require only majority approval for bond elections, while maintaining the existing 60% threshold for tax levies. The law would take effect only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in 2025, with implementation set for January 1, 2027.
This bill allows certain Texas municipalities to use hotel and convention tax revenue for convention center projects by clarifying which cities qualify under existing tax law. It amends the Tax Code to specifically list 17 categories of eligible municipalities, such as cities with populations over 95,000 in counties bordering Lake Palestine or containing specific landmarks like the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. The bill does not create new taxes but defines which existing tax revenue streams can be directed toward convention center development. It applies only to cities meeting one of the 17 detailed population or geographic criteria outlined in the legislation.
