Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 5332: Relating to the issuance of excess axle or gross weight permits.

HB 5332 would allow commercial trucks to operate with axle weights up to 10% over standard limits and total gross weights up to 5% over standard limits, provided they obtain a permit. It directly affects trucking companies and drivers who transport heavy loads, requiring a $90 base fee plus additional fees and a visible permit sticker on the vehicle windshield. Permits would be valid for one year, display expiration dates, and must be removed upon vehicle sale, lease expiration, or permit expiry. Failure to display the sticker would be a Class C misdemeanor.

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 5218: Relating to the route designation for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles that serve a deepwater seaport on the U.S.-Mexico Border.

HB 5218 establishes designated routes for permits allowing larger cargo vehicles to move through specific areas near deepwater seaports on the U.S.-Mexico border. It directly affects commercial trucking companies transporting goods to and from these border ports by requiring permits for oversized or overweight vehicles traveling along these pre-approved routes. The bill's key provision is creating a formal system for route designation, streamlining permit issuance for vehicles serving border seaports while ensuring designated paths are used. This focuses on logistical efficiency for freight movement without altering vehicle size limits or creating new taxes. The bill is currently pending in the Transportation committee after a public hearing.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 456: Relating to the translation of certain forms and information associated with complaints filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

HB 456 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to provide certain complaint forms and related information in languages other than English. It directly affects non-English-speaking residents who file environmental complaints with TCEQ, ensuring they can understand and submit complaints. The bill mandates that TCEQ translate specific forms used for reporting environmental issues and associated information into commonly spoken languages in Texas. This aims to improve accessibility to environmental complaint processes for diverse communities. The bill is currently pending in committee after a public hearing.

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HCR 114: Urging the Houston City Council to construct a memorial pedestrian bridge in honor of Sergio Ivan Rodriguez.

HCR 114 is a non-binding resolution urging the Houston City Council to build a pedestrian bridge near Charles H. Milby High School in honor of Sergio Ivan Rodriguez, a 15-year-old Houston student who died in 2024. The resolution commemorates Rodriguez's life, highlighting his passion for football, dedication to family and friends, and love for his community. It does not create new laws or funding but formally requests the city council to construct the memorial bridge. This is a ceremonial gesture with no legal effect, solely intended to honor Rodriguez's legacy.

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 3578: Relating to the authority of a county that borders the United Mexican States to regulate residential land use; creating a criminal offense.

HB 3578 allows counties bordering Mexico to adopt zoning rules for unincorporated areas with more than two residential units per acre. It authorizes regulations on building size, lot coverage, density, setbacks, and utility placement in these areas. The bill creates a criminal offense for violating these zoning rules, with enforcement handled by county commissioners courts. It applies only to border counties and requires public hearings and specific voting procedures for adoption. The bill remains pending in committee as of May 2025.

Topics ✗ Housing

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 1795: Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain conduct constituting the offense of dog fighting or the offense of cockfighting.

HB 1795 amends Texas Penal Code Sections 42.10 (dog fighting) and 42.105 (cockfighting) to adjust criminal penalties. It changes certain offenses from state jail felonies to Class A misdemeanors (e.g., dog fighting under subsection (a)(6) or cockfighting under subsection (b)(5)). For repeat cockfighting convictions, it increases penalties to Class A misdemeanors instead of Class C. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, with prior offenses governed by older law. This directly affects individuals convicted of dog or cockfighting under the specified subsections.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 267: Relating to defenses to prosecution for certain offenses involving material or conduct that is obscene or otherwise harmful to children.

HB 267 amends Texas Penal Code sections 43.24 and 43.25 to add specific affirmative defenses for defendants accused of distributing obscene or harmful material involving children. It allows defenses if the conduct was for judicial, law enforcement, or legislative purposes (Section 43.24(c)), or if the defendant was a spouse, acting for educational/medical purposes, or within two years of the child’s age (Section 43.25(f)). The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not change existing criminal penalties. As of May 2025, the bill remains pending in the legislature after being postponed and laid on the table.

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 3782: Relating to the type of newspaper required for publication of public notices.

HB 3782 updates Texas law about which newspapers can publish official government notices. It allows governmental entities (like cities or counties) to use qualified digital newspapers instead of traditional print papers, provided the digital outlet meets six specific criteria: has a verified subscriber count, has operated for at least three years, employs local staff, covers local events, provides general-interest news for the community, and updates weekly. The bill maintains existing print newspaper requirements but adds this digital option to increase accessibility. It does not change the core purpose of public notice publication but expands acceptable methods under strict standards. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed by a two-thirds vote.

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 1764: Relating to the certification and regulation of certain out-of-state certified public accountants.

HB 1764 allows certified public accountants (CPAs) licensed in other states to practice in Texas without obtaining a Texas license if their home state's requirements are comparable to Texas standards or if they meet specific education and experience criteria. To qualify, out-of-state CPAs must have passed the uniform CPA exam, completed 150 semester hours in accounting (or equivalent), and have 1-2 years of relevant work experience depending on their educational path. The bill updates Texas law to formalize these standards, requiring verification through NASBA or direct compliance, and maintains existing privileges for qualifying out-of-state CPAs through 2025.

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 3756: Relating to the powers of certain nonresident seller's permit holders who also hold a winery permit.

HB 3756 amends Texas' Alcoholic Beverage Code to allow certain nonresident sellers with winery permits to operate under specific conditions. It creates an exception for nonresident sellers holding a winery permit first issued on or before May 1, 2010, for wineries located in municipalities with populations between 130,000-150,000 within a county of 2-3 million people. The bill explicitly prohibits these permit holders from selling wine to the winery permit holder they serve. This change takes effect September 1, 2025, and directly affects nonresident alcohol sellers operating in qualifying Texas communities with existing winery permits.

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 2954: Relating to the relocation or removal of dredged spoils or materials by a navigation district.

HB 2954 requires Texas navigation districts to cover all costs when relocating or removing dredged material (such as sediment from waterway maintenance) under their authority. Districts must either pay for the relocation/removal themselves or perform the work directly, covering all expenses after subtracting any value from salvaged material. This directly affects navigation districts managing waterways and property owners impacted by dredging activities. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.

in committee · Texas · House May 1, 2025

HB 3915: Relating to the projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund.

HB 3915 expands the types of projects eligible for state flood infrastructure funding by revising the definition of "flood project" in the Water Code. It explicitly includes planning/design work, regulatory approval efforts, structural infrastructure construction, nature-based nonstructural projects (like natural flood barriers), and multi-purpose projects that both manage floodwater and create new water supply sources. This change directly affects local governments and communities seeking financial assistance for flood control initiatives. The bill, pending passage, would take effect September 1, 2025, if approved.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results