Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 3724: Relating to the placement of a cultivated oyster in a natural oyster bed, a private oyster bed, or coastal waters.

HB 3724 requires written approval from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department before placing cultivated oysters in natural oyster beds, private oyster beds, or coastal waters. It directly affects oyster farmers, coastal property owners, and commercial shellfish operations seeking to deploy cultivated oysters. The bill mandates the department to establish best management practices for approving such placements, replacing the current prohibition. This creates a formal permitting process where oyster placement was previously banned without authorization. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 3206: Relating to the sequestration of a jury in a criminal case.

HB 3206 modifies Texas jury sequestration rules in criminal cases. It allows courts to require juries to remain together after receiving instructions, rather than being permitted to separate, if a party files a motion at least 10 days before jury selection and a hearing confirms "good cause." The bill also specifies that sequestered jurors must have separate housing for male and female jurors overnight, and prohibits revealing which party requested sequestration. These changes apply only to criminal cases beginning on or after September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects criminal defendants, prosecutors, and jurors in Texas courts.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 3701: Relating to the authority of the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System to construct, acquire, improve, extend, and equip utility systems located on university system property.

HB 3701 expands the Texas A&M University System's board of regents authority to build, acquire, improve, and equip utility systems (including power plants, water, and sewer systems) across all its campuses. It specifically allows the board to charge institutions for these services and use the revenue to fund future infrastructure projects through bonds. The bill also explicitly permits utility construction on A&M property in Brazos County. This directly affects Texas A&M System campuses by streamlining their ability to manage and finance essential infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 1888: Relating to an exemption from boiler registration and inspection requirements for certain boilers in medical equipment and autoclaves.

HB 1888 exempts certain boilers used in medical equipment and autoclaves from Texas boiler registration and inspection requirements. Specifically, it applies to boilers that are components of FDA-regulated medical devices, with size limits including a maximum 16-inch diameter, 20 square feet of heating surface (unless electric), 5 cubic feet gross volume, and 100 psi pressure. It also exempts unfired pressure vessels in autoclaves. This directly affects hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities using sterilization equipment like autoclaves, reducing regulatory requirements for these specific devices.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 271: Relating to a report by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board regarding enrollment and success in higher education for students with disabilities.

HB 271 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to prepare a report by September 1, 2026, on enrollment and success rates for students with disabilities in Texas colleges and universities. The report must identify enrollment numbers, barriers to access, supportive institutional policies, accessibility of disability services, availability of information about educational rights, and potential policy recommendations. This bill directly affects students with disabilities and public/private higher education institutions, which must provide requested data to the Board. The report requirement expires September 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 3887: Relating to the requirement for performance and payment bonds from certain contractors of the Parks and Wildlife Department.

HB 3887 requires contractors working on public building projects for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to provide performance and payment bonds before starting work if the contract value exceeds $150,000. This applies specifically to contracts for constructing, altering, or repairing public buildings or completing public works. The bonds guarantee the contractor will complete the project as agreed and pay workers and suppliers. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and only applies to new contracts where the department first solicits bids on or after that date.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 4697: Relating to a defendant's appearance by telephone or videoconference in a justice or municipal court.

HB 4697 allows defendants in justice or municipal court hearings to appear via telephone or videoconference instead of in person if a judge determines that in-person attendance would cause significant difficulty. It directly affects individuals facing minor criminal charges in local courts who face barriers like transportation issues or health concerns. The bill requires a judge to first assess whether appearing in person would create undue hardship before approving remote appearances. This change applies to all proceedings starting on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 4254: Relating to appeal of a mistrial order in a felony case.

The provided context does not include the actual text or summary of HB 4254. The bill description states: "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon. In the meantime, please see the PDF for the content of this bill." Without access to the bill's specific provisions, voting record, or concrete policy details, a factual summary cannot be generated. The recent committee actions (referred to Criminal Jurisprudence, public hearing, etc.) indicate the bill is under review but do not describe its content. For an accurate summary, the full bill text or a detailed description would be required.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 2043: Relating to the regulation of earned wage access services; requiring an occupational registration; imposing fees.

HB 2043 creates new regulations for businesses providing "earned wage access services," which allow workers to access a portion of their earned but unpaid wages before their regular payday. The bill requires these providers to obtain occupational registration and imposes administrative penalties for violations, including fines and orders to compensate affected consumers. It defines key terms like "earned but unpaid income" and specifies that the regulation applies specifically to businesses offering these services, excluding payroll providers or employers who directly offer early payments. The law aims to establish clear oversight for this growing financial service while protecting consumers from potential abuses.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 3251: Relating to operation and management of the first capitol state historic site and replica by the Texas Historical Commission.

HB 3251 transfers management of the First Capitol State Historic Site and its replica building in West Columbia, Texas, to the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The bill requires the THC to preserve, maintain, and operate the site by expanding visitor facilities - relocating the replica to a historically accurate location, constructing a replica senate building, and building a visitor center. It also mandates the THC to develop educational programs, preserve historical artifacts, and manage site operations through staff training and infrastructure improvements. This bill directly affects the site's historical preservation efforts and public access, with no financial or policy changes for citizens beyond enhanced visitor experiences.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 4229: Relating to the use of proceeds from the sale of saltwater fishing stamps issued by the Parks and Wildlife Department.

HB 4229 changes how funds from saltwater fishing stamps must be used. It requires that all net receipts from these stamps (sold after September 1, 2025) be spent *only* on coastal fisheries management, including repairing hatcheries and facilities, restoring fish habitats, creating shoreline angler access points, and funding license buyback programs. The Parks and Wildlife Department must allocate these funds exclusively to these specified purposes. This bill does not affect funds collected before its effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 2728: Relating to spoliation of evidence held for use in a criminal proceeding.

HB 2728 requires Texas prosecutors to preserve evidence used in criminal cases and prohibits intentional destruction, alteration, or loss of that evidence. If the state mishandles evidence, defendants can present evidence of this to the court, and if the court finds the violation intentional, the jury must presume the lost evidence would have favored the defendant. The law eliminates the need for defendants to prove the state's specific intent or that the mishandling was a crime. This applies to criminal cases beginning on or after September 1, 2025, directly affecting defendants who claim state misconduct in evidence handling.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results