SB 1367 clarifies the role of Texas's state prosecuting attorney, who is appointed by the Texas Supreme Court and represents the state in criminal cases. The bill requires the attorney to represent the state in all proceedings before the Court of Criminal Appeals, may represent the state in appeals court cases when necessary, and can handle criminal cases involving election law violations in district courts. It also allows the Supreme Court to remove the attorney for cause and includes a funding provision that delays mandatory implementation of new duties until appropriations are made, with this exception ending in 2029. These changes apply only to attorneys appointed on or after September 1, 2025.
HB 4942 requires courts to only order family violence or child abuse-related services if they are proven effective, safe, and based on evidence. It sets standards for mental health counselors in custody cases, mandating they have family therapy expertise, a master's-level license, and relevant training on violence or abuse. The bill also updates judicial training requirements to include evidence-based content on reducing child trauma, victim protection, and evaluating service effectiveness. These changes directly affect courts, mental health professionals, and judges handling family law cases in Texas.
HB 3002 requires debt collectors in Texas to provide specific written disclosures to consumers in all written debt collection communications. The bill mandates that these disclosures include a summary of consumer rights under both the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (including debt validation and communication restrictions) and Texas law, plus whether the creditor might accept a settlement that removes negative credit reporting. For electronic communications, debt collectors must include a link to the Attorney General's website detailing consumer rights. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects debt collectors and consumers dealing with debt collection efforts in Texas.
HB 5628 amends Texas Family Code Section 153.002 to explicitly state that "the best interest of the child shall always be the primary consideration" for courts deciding custody, access, or conservatorship in cases involving parents and children. It specifically clarifies that this standard applies when government entities (like child protective services) file lawsuits under Subtitle E of the Family Code. The bill does not create new rules but reaffirms an existing legal principle for family courts handling cases involving state agencies. It directly affects judges, parents, and children in custody disputes where government agencies are parties. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.
HB 5642 requires real estate license holders (like agents and brokers) to provide written notice to home buyers about transfer on death deeds during initial discussions about purchasing specific residential properties. The notice must explain what these deeds are, their benefits, how they interact with wills, and the risks of dying without one or a deed. It also clarifies how buyers can execute such deeds at closing and the title company's role in the process. This applies to single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, quadraplexes, and condo units. The notice must be delivered in writing via mail, email, or in person and include specific required content.
This bill (SJR 78) proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas legislature to pass laws exempting certain perishable retail inventory from property taxes. It would directly affect retailers selling perishable goods like fresh food, prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and dietary supplements held for sale. If approved by voters in 2025, the amendment would enable the legislature to define "perishable inventory" and create tax exemptions for these items through general law. The measure does not change current tax rules but would provide a constitutional basis for future legislative action on this issue.
SB 1375 extends the expiration date for health care provider participation programs in specific Texas counties. It changes the default program deadline from two years after adoption to September 1, 2030, for counties meeting three criteria: having a population of 1 million or more, containing part of a 1 million+ city, or bordering a county with 2.5 million+ residents. This applies only to qualifying counties in the state’s most populous areas. The bill ensures these counties can continue administering health care programs under the existing framework until 2030.
This bill creates a process for Texas municipalities with fewer than 70,000 residents to hold voter elections on ending special hiring and promotion systems for firefighters and police officers. If 10% of registered voters sign a petition, the city must hold an election where a majority vote decides whether to repeal the system. Municipalities that already have an election scheduled before this law passes will follow existing rules. The bill would take effect immediately if approved by two-thirds of lawmakers, or September 1, 2025, if not.
SB 1443 creates a new legal framework (Chapter 300C) for certain counties and hospital districts in Texas to continue operating health care provider participation districts. These districts require specific nonpublic hospitals within their boundaries to make mandatory payments, which fund the state's share of Medicaid supplemental payments for those hospitals. The bill applies only to counties meeting strict population and geographic criteria (e.g., bordering the Trinity River or Oklahoma) or hospital districts near Jim Chapman Lake. It outlines governance rules for district boards and ensures districts can transition from an older program (Chapter 300A) to this new structure.
HB 4458 establishes a temporary Texas Veterans Achieving Self-Reliance Pilot Program to provide free assistance to service members and veterans who separated from military service within the past year (including active/reserve U.S. forces or Texas military forces), plus their spouses and dependents. The program requires the Texas Veterans Commission to fund qualified veterans service organizations to deliver key services like job training, housing assistance, mental health care, and career education. Organizations must demonstrate prior experience serving veterans in Texas and access to military bases to provide these no-cost services. The pilot aims to improve post-military transition outcomes through targeted support, with implementation pending legislative approval.
HB 1928 requires statutory probate court judges to order estates to reimburse counties for costs when judges are assigned to handle contested probate matters. Specifically, judges must direct estates to cover county payments for judge compensation and expenses under existing law, to the extent possible. The bill mandates judges to apportion these costs equitably between the estate and involved parties. It applies only to motions filed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change the $25 daily allowance for assigned judges. This policy change affects counties, probate estates, and parties in contested probate cases.
HB 1980 amends Texas Family Code to establish a presumption that courts should order retroactive child support beginning on the earliest possible date of a child's conception, rather than starting at birth or later. It requires courts to determine this date using medical evidence (per Health and Safety Code) or parental testimony, and mandates that courts include an equitable share of prenatal/postnatal medical expenses for the mother and child in retroactive support orders. The bill applies only to paternity orders or acknowledgments issued on or after its effective date (September 1, 2025), not to past cases. This change directly affects parents ordered to pay child support and ensures support covers expenses from conception forward.
