Texas Bills

introduced · Texas · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 8: Relating to public school accountability and transparency, including the implementation of an instructionally supportive assessment program and the adoption and administration of assessment instruments in public schools, indicators of achievement, public school performance ratings, and interventions and sanctions under the public school accountability system, a grant program for school district local accountability plans, and actions challenging Texas Education Agency decisions related to public school accountability.

HB 8 establishes a statewide "instructionally supportive assessment program" for Texas public schools, requiring the Texas Education Agency to create assessments focused on student progress monitoring and essential knowledge. It mandates that school districts provide parents with one-click access to their child's assessment results through a parent portal on the agency's website, including secure, unique access codes. The bill also updates school performance ratings and interventions under the accountability system, while creating a grant program to help districts develop local accountability plans. This directly affects public school students, parents, and school districts by changing how assessment data is shared and used to evaluate school performance.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Texas · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 274: Relating to an interstate compact for animal health initiatives.

HB 274 establishes a framework for Texas to join an interstate compact focused on animal health initiatives with other states. The bill authorizes the governor to develop and execute this compact, enabling states to share resources like research facilities, surveillance systems, and personnel to address animal health outbreaks affecting livestock, wildlife, and other animals. Key provisions include joint planning for disease response, mutual support for infrastructure/equipment, and allowing fund transfers between states for research and response activities. The compact does not require congressional approval or increase states' political power relative to the federal government. This legislation creates a mechanism for future cooperation but does not mandate specific actions or funding.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 4, 2025

HCR 11: Urging the federal government to take immediate action to curb the spread of the New World screwworm into Texas.

This concurrent resolution (HCR 11) urges the federal government to take immediate action to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm - a parasitic fly that infests livestock - into Texas. It directly affects Texas ranchers, the state’s $1.8 billion livestock industry, and the broader national food supply chain, as an outbreak could cause widespread animal deaths and economic damage. The resolution requests federal agencies to: collaborate with Mexico on control plans, fund a Texas-based screwworm control facility, approve treatments for infected animals, and approve pesticides for prevention. It does not create new laws but formally asks Congress and federal agencies to act, citing the parasite’s proximity to Texas (370 miles from the border as of July 2025).

introduced · Texas · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 273: Relating to the creation of the Institute for Animal Health Research and Response.

HB 273 creates the Institute for Animal Health Research and Response as a component of Texas A&M University, operating under Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. The institute will partner with Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Animal Health Commission to study animal diseases and parasitic infestations, develop prevention strategies, and create treatments. It may accept grants, hire staff, build facilities, and prioritize specific health threats, but implementation depends on legislative funding appropriations. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 272: Relating to creation of the Screwworm Abatement Trust (SWAT) Fund.

HB 272 establishes a special fund called the Screwworm Abatement Trust (SWAT) Fund to support efforts preventing, controlling, and eradicating the New World Screwworm pest. The fund, managed by the state comptroller outside the main treasury, can receive gifts, donations, or appropriations (capped at $50 million) to cover related programs, research, surveillance, and emergency responses. It directly affects state agricultural agencies, universities, and other public entities that administer or utilize these pest control activities. The bill creates a dedicated funding mechanism for coordinated intergovernmental efforts without imposing new taxes or regulations.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 275: Relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of land subject to a quarantine established by the Texas Animal Health Commission for ticks or screwworms.

HB 275 modifies Texas property tax rules for agricultural land temporarily quarantined by the Texas Animal Health Commission due to ticks or screwworms. It ensures landowners maintaining agricultural designation during such quarantines (for at least 90 days) can request a reappraisal to reflect reduced land value caused by the infestation. The bill caps the reappraised value at 50% of the original tax year value or market value, whichever is lower. This directly affects Texas agricultural landowners in quarantine zones, providing relief during pest control efforts under Chapter 167 of the Agriculture Code. The changes apply to tax years with active quarantines and continue in subsequent years until the quarantine ends.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Texas · House Aug 4, 2025

HB 276: Relating to parasitic insect control.

The bill text for HB 276 ("Relating to parasitic insect control") is not currently available in the provided context. The system indicates the content will be available soon, with a note to refer to a PDF for details. No specific provisions, affected parties, or policy mechanisms can be identified from the available information. Without access to the bill's actual text or summary, a factual summary cannot be generated. We recommend checking the official bill document when it becomes available for details.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 1, 2025

HB 247: Relating to the prohibition of lobbyist representation of both political subdivisions and private entities.

HB 247 prohibits lobbyists from representing both a tax-imposing political subdivision (like a city or county) and any private entity or individual under the same contract. This new rule, added to Government Code Section 305.0301, directly affects registered lobbyists who might otherwise serve conflicting interests. The law applies only to contracts entered into after the bill's effective date (91 days post-session), not existing agreements. It targets potential conflicts where a lobbyist could influence policies affecting private businesses while representing local government tax policies.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 1, 2025

HB 10: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for certain victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.

HB 10 creates a legal defense for individuals who were victims of human trafficking or forced prostitution and face criminal charges for acts they committed under coercion. It allows defendants to argue that they engaged in the charged conduct solely because they were subjected to force, fraud, or coercion by traffickers, as defined in Texas law. To qualify, the defendant must show the coercion was necessary to engage in the conduct, would have compelled a reasonable person in their situation, and they weren't merely offered an opportunity without coercion. This defense applies only to offenses committed on or after the bill's effective date, which is 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Texas · House Aug 1, 2025

HB 248: Relating to campground emergency safety certification requirements; providing a civil penalty.

HB 248 requires all commercial campgrounds in Texas to obtain emergency safety certification by developing and submitting an approved emergency preparedness plan to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. The plan must mandate that each cabin include communication devices (like satellite equipment or radios) for emergencies without relying on cell towers or landlines, and post clear evacuation procedures at cabin entrances. Campground operators who fail to comply face a $1,000 civil penalty per violation, with each day of non-compliance counted as a separate offense. The Texas Division of Emergency Management will establish the certification program and set specific rules for plan approval by March 1, 2026.

introduced · Texas · House Aug 1, 2025

HB 246: Relating to the production and ownership of brine.

HB 246 defines "brine minerals" (including bromine, lithium, magnesium, and sodium chloride) and establishes that landowners own these minerals beneath their property as real property, responsible for protecting other owners' rights. It amends the Water Code to define "brine" as subterranean liquids containing these minerals (excluding groundwater, oil, gas, and oil/gas waste) and creates a new reporting requirement for operators of brine mining wells and injection wells. The bill directly affects landowners, mineral extraction companies, and the Railroad Commission, which must adopt rules to regulate brine mining operations. This defines ownership and regulatory frameworks for brine mineral production without creating new financial programs or subsidies.

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 1, 2025

SB 61: Relating to selection of an attorney by an indigent parent as attorney ad litem for the parent in certain suits affecting the parent-child relationship.

SB 61 allows indigent parents facing government lawsuits seeking termination of parental rights or custody appointments to select their own court-appointed lawyer instead of relying solely on court selection. The bill requires the chosen attorney to be licensed in Texas, in good standing with the State Bar, and meet continuing education requirements. Parents can select an attorney without court interference, and the court must accept the selection as long as the attorney meets these basic qualifications. This applies specifically to cases where the government sues to end parental rights or appoint a guardian, directly affecting indigent parents opposing such actions.

Bill results