Texas Bills

HB 296 prohibits cities, counties, and other local governments (political subdivisions) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit organizations that primarily represent local governments and hire lobbyists. It allows local government employees to provide information to lawmakers or testify about legislation without triggering lobbying registration requirements, and exempts associations representing sheriffs or law enforcement officers. Taxpayers can sue to stop prohibited spending and recover legal fees if violations occur. The bill focuses on restricting public fund usage for lobbying while preserving basic communication with legislators.

This bill requires Texas state agencies to use "Judea and Samaria" (or "Judea" for the area south of Jerusalem and "Samaria" for the area north of Jerusalem) instead of "West Bank" when describing the territory on the western bank of the Jordan River in any official agency statement. It prohibits the term "West Bank" in state communications, with a limited exception allowing its use if an agency head determines it benefits Texas and provides written justification to the legislature within 30 days. The bill does not alter the territory's status but mandates specific terminology for all state agency materials. It takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

HJR 37 proposes amending the Texas Constitution to change the quorum requirement for the Texas Senate and House of Representatives from two-thirds to a simple majority of members. This would allow either chamber to conduct business with just over half its members present, rather than needing two-thirds attendance. The amendment must be approved by voters in a May 2026 election, with the ballot asking whether "a majority of the members... constitutes a quorum." If passed, this change would directly affect how Texas legislative sessions operate by lowering the threshold for official business.

HB 298 requires Texas public schools to implement an instructionally supportive statewide assessment program for students in grades 3-12. The bill mandates that the State Board of Education create assessments focused on progress monitoring, balanced design, and streamlined administration to track student achievement in core subjects like math, reading, science, and social studies. These assessments must provide immediate, actionable data to teachers for improving instruction, while also supplying schools, parents, and researchers with information to guide learning and evaluate educational programs. The program aims to replace existing testing requirements with tools designed to directly support student learning rather than solely measure outcomes.

HB 297 creates a property tax exemption for partially disabled veterans and their surviving spouses in Texas. It allows veterans with a disability rating of 10% to 99% to exempt a percentage of their home's appraised value equal to their disability rating from property taxes. Surviving spouses who haven't remarried and whose deceased veteran spouse qualified for this exemption may continue the same exemption on the same property, or transfer it to a new primary residence if they move. The exemption applies only to the veteran's or surviving spouse's principal residence, and the surviving spouse must maintain the property as their homestead. This policy directly affects disabled veterans and their eligible spouses by reducing their property tax burden based on disability severity.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas lawmakers to create a property tax exemption for partially disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. It would authorize an exemption equal to the veteran's disability rating (10% to 99%) on the market value of their primary residence homestead. The exemption would apply to veterans certified with a disability rating of at least 10% but less than 100%, and to surviving spouses who meet specific residency requirements (property was their homestead when the veteran died and remains their homestead). This change requires voter approval in the 2026 election.

HB 3 allocates $274 million in supplemental funding from Texas' economic stabilization fund for disaster relief and preparedness. It provides $200 million to match federal disaster funds and address state disaster needs, $50 million for local grants to 33 specific counties (including Travis and Bexar) affected by a July 2025 flood declaration to install flood warning systems, and $24 million to improve meteorological forecasting and flood management in the Texas Hill Country. The bill also includes a contingent $50 million for emergency communications systems, dependent on separate legislation (H.B. 2) being enacted. These funds are allocated for a two-year period starting when the bill takes effect.

HB 294 gives Texas' attorney general the power to investigate and sue local governments (municipalities or counties) for violating state law. If the attorney general determines a violation, they can file a lawsuit to enforce compliance. During such cases, the comptroller must withhold state payments due to the local government, the government cannot raise property tax rates above its "no-new-revenue" limit, and it cannot receive state grant funds. Local governments must prove they followed the law by a preponderance of evidence, and cases are handled by specialized courts with strict deadlines.

HB 6 restricts how abortion-inducing drugs (like abortion pills) can be provided in Texas. It prohibits physicians, pharmacies, or others from giving or delivering these drugs via mail, courier, or delivery services, except in specific cases. The law requires physicians to examine patients in person before providing the drugs and verify pregnancy details, with exceptions only for medical emergencies or other non-abortion medical reasons. Violations could result in civil penalties. This directly affects healthcare providers, pharmacists, and anyone involved in distributing abortion medication.

HR 68 is a resolution passed by the Texas House of Representatives to congratulate Judge J.D. Clark on his election as President of the National Association of Counties (NACo). The resolution recognizes his service as Wise County Judge since 2014, his leadership in county government, and his role in preserving local history and promoting county best practices. It will be presented to Judge Clark as a formal expression of the House's support for his national leadership role. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation.

HB 30 creates civil liability for individuals or entities that manufacture or provide abortion-inducing drugs, enabling lawsuits against them. The bill authorizes private citizens to file "qui tam" lawsuits (on behalf of the state) and amends fee-shifting rules in abortion-related litigation. It exempts abortion-related cases from the Texas Citizens Participation Act and Religious Freedom Restoration Act, limits state court jurisdiction over such cases, and directs appeals to the Fifteenth Court of Appeals. Additionally, it grants the Texas attorney general authority to sue under "parens patriae" doctrine.

HB 291 would add specific substances, including kratom and kratom products, to the Texas Controlled Substances Act. This would subject kratom products to the same legal restrictions as other controlled substances, making their sale and possession illegal without authorization. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations and creates new criminal offenses, with higher penalties for related activities.