Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 937: Relating to the procedure by which certain special districts are required to provide notice of certain matters.

HB 937 requires certain special districts (like water or utility districts) without a meeting location within their boundaries to post public meeting notices either on their website or at a publicly accessible bulletin board within the district. If a district lacks a website, it must post notices at a designated public location, such as a community bulletin board, rather than solely at its administrative office. The bill also extends this notice requirement to ballot filing notices for district director elections, mandating the same posting method for districts without an in-district administrative office. This change aims to improve public access to district meeting and election information.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 2729: Relating to the admissibility of hearsay evidence in a hearing for a person charged with a violation of a condition of release from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

HB 2729 prohibits the use of hearsay evidence in hearings for individuals charged with violating release conditions under the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). The bill amends the Government Code to explicitly state that secondhand statements (like hearsay) cannot be admitted as evidence during these specific hearings. This directly affects people on TDCJ supervision who face allegations of breaking release terms, such as parole or probation violations. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025, and applies only to these administrative hearings, not criminal trials.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 3618: Relating to certain searches of female inmates by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

HB 3618 requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) to create policies governing searches of female inmates. It mandates that searches involving unclothed female inmates must be conducted by a female officer when available, and if a male officer must conduct such a search, they must submit a written report within 72 hours. The bill also limits visual body cavity searches (a visual inspection of genital or anal areas with clothing removed) to only "exigent circumstances" like immediate security threats - not routine program access like education or rehabilitation. These policies apply directly to female inmates in TDCJ facilities and must be adopted by September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 54: Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools.

HB 54, titled "Relating to the display of and allowance for non-human behaviors in Texas schools," is a procedural bill that amends school discipline requirements. It mandates that Texas public school districts include specific factors in their student conduct codes, such as self-defense, intent, disability considerations, and homelessness status, when making disciplinary decisions like suspensions or expulsions. The bill requires schools to post these codes prominently and consider these factors in all disciplinary actions. It does not ban specific activities but standardizes how schools evaluate student behavior. The bill is currently pending in the Education Committee.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 2728: Relating to the provision of certain information about Medicaid benefits in relation to newborn children.

SB 2728 requires Medicaid providers (including hospitals and clinics) to annually receive written notices about using a pregnant woman's Medicaid ID for newborn claims until the baby is enrolled. It also mandates that healthcare providers give new mothers a bilingual resource pamphlet at delivery containing specific health information. The pamphlet must include prevention tips for shaken baby syndrome (with coping techniques and symptoms), immunization schedules, newborn screening follow-up details, SIDS prevention guidelines, and postpartum counseling resources. This bill directly affects Medicaid providers and new mothers by streamlining billing processes and ensuring access to critical health information for newborn care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 4951: Relating to nonirrigable land in irrigation districts.

The context provided does not include the actual text or detailed provisions of HB 4951. The bill's title ("Relating to nonirrigable land in irrigation districts") and recent actions (e.g., referred to Natural Resources committee) are noted, but no specific policy changes, mechanisms, or affected parties are described. Without access to the bill's content (as indicated by "This version is not currently available"), a substantive summary cannot be generated. For an accurate summary, the full bill text or a detailed description would be required.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 4896: Relating to rules and reports related to brackish groundwater production zones.

HB 4896 requires Texas water agencies to submit biennial reports on brackish groundwater desalination projects to state leadership, detailing progress, challenges, and funding needs. It establishes specific criteria for designating "brackish groundwater production zones," mandating salt content under 1,000 mg/L, natural separation from other aquifers, and exclusion of protected areas like the Edwards Aquifer. The bill also directs agencies to evaluate the state's role in supporting large-scale desalination development. This directly affects water providers and regions planning to use brackish groundwater to reduce fresh water consumption.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 4922: Relating to the standard of proof in certain health care liability claims arising out of the provision of emergency medical care.

HB 4922 changes the standard of proof for medical malpractice claims involving emergency care in Texas. It lowers the burden of proof from "clear and convincing evidence" to "more likely than not" (preponderance of evidence) when patients sue providers for negligence in hospital emergency departments, freestanding emergency facilities, obstetrical units, or immediate post-emergency surgical suites. The bill directly affects patients seeking compensation and healthcare providers facing such lawsuits. It becomes effective September 1, 2025, if passed, and is currently pending in the Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence committee.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1749: Relating to the jurisdiction of municipal courts over health and safety and nuisance abatement ordinances.

HB 1749 allows Texas municipalities to expand the authority of their local courts to enforce health, safety, and nuisance abatement ordinances. It gives municipal courts civil jurisdiction over these ordinances and concurrent authority with higher courts within city limits and property owned by the municipality. The bill also grants courts power to issue search warrants for investigating violations and seizure warrants to remove unsafe properties or debris. This directly affects municipal courts and local governments enforcing codes related to public health, safety, and property conditions.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 2708: Relating to the eligibility of certain criminal defendants for an order of nondisclosure of criminal history record information.

HB 2708 modifies Texas law to change the waiting periods for certain criminal defendants to petition for an order that keeps their criminal history records sealed (nondisclosure). It sets specific timeframes after completing probation: one year for most misdemeanors, two years for state jail felonies or certain misdemeanors under specific penal code sections, and five years for other felonies. This applies to people who successfully completed community supervision without revocation, including any required jail time and payments of fines or restitution. The bill updates eligibility rules in the Government Code to clarify when these petitions can be filed.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1647: Relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task force.

HB 1647 establishes a task force within the Railroad Commission of Texas to study and address theft of petroleum products. The task force, required to include industry representatives, energy trade associations, and law enforcement agencies, must analyze theft impacts on sales tax revenue and the economy, and develop prevention recommendations for law enforcement training and stakeholder coordination. It must meet quarterly and submit annual reports to state officials by December 1 of even-numbered years. The bill directly affects Texas law enforcement, the oil and gas industry, and state tax collection systems by creating a structured process to study and mitigate petroleum theft.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 2107: Relating to training requirements for public school educators.

HB 2107 modifies Texas public school training requirements by allowing school districts and charter schools to require educators to complete certain trainings every two years instead of annually. This change applies to trainings mandated by statute, overriding any stricter frequency requirements in district policies. The bill directly affects public school educators and their school districts, giving them flexibility in scheduling required professional development. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year, as specified in Section 2 of the bill.

Topics ✗ Education

Bill results