Texas Bills

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 3356: Relating to reliability requirements for certain electric generation facilities.

HB 3356 modifies reliability requirements for specific electric generation facilities in Texas' ERCOT power grid. It applies to facilities with a standard interconnection agreement that have operated for at least one year and are not self-generators. The bill changes the deadline for the first reliability demonstration from the original date to January 1, 2027, while repealing prior provisions related to this requirement. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting owners and operators of qualifying power plants in ERCOT.

Don McLaughlin (R) Terri Leo-Wilson (R) Jared Patterson (R) · 21 co-sponsors

in committee · Texas · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 1819: Relating to the administration of a grant program to support community mental health programs assisting veterans and their families.

HB 1819 amends Texas law to adjust matching grant requirements for community mental health programs serving veterans and their families. It requires grantees to provide local or private funds equal to 25% (for counties under 100,000 population), 50% (100,000-250,000), or 100% (250,000+ population) of the grant amount, depending on the county size where services are provided. The changes apply only to grants awarded on or after September 1, 2025, and require new state funding for implementation - otherwise, the Health and Human Services Commission may use existing funds but isn’t obligated to act. This bill directly affects community mental health programs seeking state grants to support veteran mental health services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 3249: Relating to rules providing for certification of issues to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality in contested cases referred to the State Office of Administrative Hearings by the commission.

HB 3249 requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) to jointly create rules for certifying specific environmental compliance issues to TCEQ during contested cases. The bill mandates that these rules define which issues qualify for certification (particularly those involving TCEQ's discretion) and establish a process for certifying disputes about discovery scope. This procedural change directly affects TCEQ staff, SOAH administrative law judges, and parties involved in environmental enforcement cases handled through administrative hearings. The rules aim to clarify when complex compliance judgments must be reviewed by TCEQ rather than SOAH.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 3713: Relating of maintenance of rates and expansion of funds for certain companies.

HB 3713 modifies Texas Utilities Code to maintain reasonable rates and expand the universal service fund for smaller telecommunications companies. It directly affects local exchange companies and cooperatives serving fewer than 31,000 phone lines, requiring the Public Utility Commission to implement mechanisms - either through modest rate adjustments or fund expansions - to replace revenue losses from federal policies, FCC orders, or other regulatory changes. The bill specifies that these mechanisms must not harm universal service access and prohibits support for companies exceeding 31,000 lines or those that opted into other programs by 2013. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not alter existing service obligations for consumers.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 1891: Relating to test years used for ratemaking purposes by certain water and sewer utilities.

SB 1891 changes how Texas water and sewer utilities (Class A, B, C, or D) select the time period, called a "test year," used to set their rates. Utilities must now choose a 12-month period starting no later than 18 months after filing for a rate change and ending no earlier than 18 months before that filing. The test year can include past, future, or combined data, ensuring a standardized timeframe for rate calculations. This applies to all rate proceedings starting September 1, 2025, and requires rates to allow a reasonable return on investment while preserving utility financial health.

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 2159: Relating to aquifer storage and recovery projects that transect a portion of the Edwards Aquifer.

This bill amends Texas Water Code Section 27.051(i) to allow specific aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects that cross through the Edwards Aquifer in Medina County. It permits injection wells for ASR projects (as defined in Section 27.151) that inject water into formations beneath the aquifer, while maintaining a general ban on most injection wells crossing the aquifer. The bill creates four exceptions to the ban, including groundwater injection from the aquifer itself, stormwater injection via natural karst features, and projects meeting specific historical criteria. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must adopt implementing rules by March 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 946: Relating to prohibiting oral releases for automobile insurance claims.

HB 946 prohibits oral agreements where auto insurance claimants release claims for property damage or injury in exchange for payment. It requires all such releases to be in writing to be enforceable, affecting both claimants (insureds or individuals with property/injury claims) and auto insurers. The law applies only to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2026, and does not change existing agreements made before that date. It takes effect September 1, 2025, with the new written requirement for future settlements.

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 502: Relating to the confidentiality of identifying information of victims of certain offenses.

HB 502 expands confidentiality protections for victims of specific offenses by redefining "victim" in Texas law to include individuals harmed by stalking, secret filming (invasive visual recording), or certain sexual assaults (indecent assault). The bill ensures that identifying information about these victims - such as names, addresses, or photos - cannot be disclosed publicly without consent, directly affecting those who experience these crimes. Key provisions clarify that the confidentiality rules apply to victims of these offenses and to anyone involved in the same criminal incident. The law takes effect on September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 2575: Relating to the elimination of certain tax proceeds deposited to and the allocation of the horse industry escrowed purse account.

HB 2575 modifies how pari-mutuel wagering funds are distributed for horse racing in Texas. It requires racetracks to allocate 4.5% of certain wagering pools into an escrow account (instead of direct distribution), with funds then available for reimbursement of interstate racing signal costs or allocation to racetracks and state horse breed registries for purses. The bill specifies that up to 70% of escrowed funds can be distributed to racetracks annually, while also allowing breed registries to apply for funds to support the horse industry. Currently pending in the Ways & Means committee after a public hearing, the bill does not yet take effect.

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SJR 86: Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation of property owned by certain disabled veterans.

SJR 86 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase property tax exemptions for certain disabled veterans in Texas. It would raise the maximum exemption amounts for veterans with specific disability ratings (e.g., from $5,000 to $30,000 for 10-30% disability) and add new categories like veterans aged 65+ or with severe disabilities. This directly affects disabled veterans certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (or military service) with 10% or higher disability ratings, as well as their surviving spouses and minor children. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election to take effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

in committee · Texas · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 3276: Relating to the eligibility of certain individuals for certification as certain juvenile officers or employees of a juvenile facility.

HB 3276 amends Texas law to set new rules for certifying juvenile facility staff. It directly affects current or former employees, contractors, and volunteers working at juvenile probation departments or facilities registered with the state. The bill allows the state to permanently deny certification if someone engaged in misconduct (like violating rules or showing unsuitability) or if a panel determines their certification would threaten juveniles. If denied, individuals get an administrative hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings. The law takes effect September 1, 2025.

in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 3060: Relating to the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation to which certain disabled veterans are entitled.

SB 3060 increases property tax exemptions for disabled veterans in Texas based on their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating. It sets new exemption tiers: $30,000 for veterans with a 10-29% rating, $40,000 for 30-49%, $50,000 for 50-69%, and $100,000 for 70% or higher. The bill applies to property taxes for tax years starting January 1, 2026, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in 2025. This directly affects Texas disabled veterans who own property and meet the specified disability rating thresholds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Veterans

Bill results