Texas Bills | MyRepTracker

failed · Texas · House Aug 26, 2025

HJR 1: Proposing a constitutional amendment specifying the authority of the attorney general to prosecute a criminal offense prescribed by the election laws of this state.

This joint resolution proposes amending the Texas Constitution to clarify that the Attorney General has concurrent authority with county and district attorneys to prosecute criminal violations of election laws. If approved by voters (scheduled for May 2, 2026), it would establish shared jurisdiction for election-related criminal cases between the state Attorney General and local prosecutors. The bill failed to pass the legislature on August 26, 2025, and did not advance to voter approval. It does not create new criminal offenses but defines existing prosecutorial authority under election law.

died · Texas · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 801: Relating to the issuance of a certified birth record to a homeless individual.

SB 801 requires Texas state and local registrars to issue free certified birth records to homeless individuals upon request, without requiring a physical address. It defines a "homeless individual" as someone lacking stable housing or staying in temporary shelters (like transitional housing or shelters), excluding those in correctional facilities. The bill mandates that the Health and Human Services Commission create rules to verify homelessness and determine required documentation. This law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to applications submitted on or after that date. The bill directly affects homeless Texans seeking vital records for essential services like housing, employment, or healthcare.

Topics ✓ Housing

failed · Texas · Senate May 28, 2025

SCR 27: Authorizing the burial of Guy Herman in the State Cemetery.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 27) authorizes the burial of Guy Herman, a former Travis County probate judge, in the Texas State Cemetery. It follows existing law (Government Code §2165.256) requiring legislative approval for such burials, contingent on the State Cemetery Committee's separate approval of Herman's application. The resolution recognizes Herman's decades of service in probate law, mental health advocacy, and his role in establishing the Judge Guy Herman Center for Mental Health Crisis Care. It does not alter cemetery rules or create new legal requirements - only formally authorizes the burial process under current procedures.

failed · Texas · Senate May 28, 2025

SJR 87: Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony who have previously been convicted of or who were released on bail for certain offenses punishable as a felony at the time of the new offense.

This proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 87) would require Texas judges to deny bail to people accused of specific serious felonies if they have prior convictions for similar offenses or were on bail for such offenses at the time of the new crime. It applies to charges like murder, aggravated assault with weapons or serious injury, sexual assault, human trafficking, and related offenses. Judges would need to hold a hearing to confirm probable cause for the new crime and the prior conviction/bail status before denying bail. The amendment requires voter approval (scheduled for November 2025) but failed adoption in the Texas Senate in May 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

failed · Texas · Senate May 28, 2025

SJR 1: Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances for illegal aliens charged with certain offenses punishable as a felony.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Texas judges to deny bail to individuals classified as "illegal aliens" charged with felony offenses, if a judge determines probable cause exists. It defines "illegal alien" as someone who entered the U.S. without inspection or violated nonimmigrant visa terms. The amendment would automatically deny bail pending trial for such individuals, without requiring additional proof of flight risk or danger. If approved by voters in 2025, it would become part of the Texas Constitution. (Note: This is a procedural proposal requiring voter approval, not an immediate law.)

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

died · Texas · House May 27, 2025

HB 3385: Relating to the promotion and sale of wine produced in this state; creating a farm winery permit; authorizing a fee.

HB 3385 creates a new "farm winery permit" for Texas wineries that produce at least 75% of their wine from grapes or fruit grown in Texas, or that produce at least 50,000 gallons of Texas wine annually if they also make non-Texas wine. Permit holders can operate up to five off-premises locations for on-site wine sales and sell up to 250,000 gallons annually in unbroken packages for off-site consumption. The bill requires the state alcohol commission to adopt rules for notifying about off-site locations and verifying their status, including wet/dry county compliance. This permit expands sales opportunities for Texas wine producers while maintaining regulatory oversight for local wine production.

failed · Texas · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 2703: Relating to the authority of a municipality or county to regulate condominiums.

SB 2703 prevents municipalities and counties from treating condominium developments differently than other similar property types under local zoning, building codes, or subdivision regulations. It specifically clarifies that condo declarations are not considered "subdivisions" under Texas Local Government Code Chapters 212, 232, or 242, and prohibits local governments from requiring subdivision plats for condo creation or modifications. This bill directly affects condo developers, owners, and local governments by eliminating additional approval steps for condos that were previously treated as subdivisions. The changes apply only to new condo declarations recorded on or after September 1, 2025, leaving existing condos governed by prior law.

Topics ✓ Housing

died · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 414: Relating to the text of ballot propositions for bond elections.

SB 414 requires Texas local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) to include specific details on ballots for bond elections seeking voter approval. The bill mandates that each ballot proposition must clearly state: the single purpose of the bonds, the total principal amount, estimated interest, combined principal and interest cost, and confirmation that taxes will cover repayment. It also requires separate ballot propositions for each distinct project purpose and directs local governments to create voter information documents explaining the ballot language. This aims to increase transparency for voters about bond financing before they cast their votes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

died · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 875: Relating to prohibiting election activities committed by a member of the board of trustees or superintendent of an independent school district or on certain school district premises; creating criminal offenses.

SB 875 prohibits school board members, superintendents, and campus administrators in Texas independent school districts from using district resources - like email, phones, or mailing lists - for political campaigning. It also bans political signs on school campuses for more than 48 hours outside early voting periods or election day. Violations are classified as Class A misdemeanors for board members/superintendents and Class B misdemeanors for campus administrators. The law directly affects school district officials and campus operations, aiming to keep educational facilities neutral during elections.

died · Texas · Senate May 26, 2025

SB 2183: Relating to the periods during which a retail fireworks permit holder may sell fireworks to the public.

SB 2183 modifies Texas law to define specific time periods when retail fireworks permit holders can sell fireworks to the public. The bill establishes seven distinct sales windows, including periods around Independence Day (June 24-July 4), the May holiday week, Diwali, and the December 20-January 1 holiday period. It repeals a previous subsection (h) that allowed additional sales near the Texas-Mexico border under certain conditions. This bill directly affects businesses holding retail fireworks permits by restricting their sales to these designated dates, effective September 1, 2025.

died · Texas · Senate May 25, 2025

SB 2188: Relating to the regulation of certain space flight activities, including the closure of certain areas for those activities.

SB 2188 requires spaceflight operators in specific Texas counties (bordering the Gulf of Mexico with FAA-approved spaceports) and small municipalities (under 150,000 population) to submit proposed launch dates to local officials. It allows county commissioners courts or municipal governing bodies to temporarily close beaches near launch sites during designated times - Monday 8 a.m. to Friday 12 p.m., or Friday 12 p.m. to Monday 8 a.m. - to protect public safety. The bill directly affects spaceport operators and coastal communities with approved launch facilities, while prohibiting local governments from banning spaceflight activities outside these specific closure procedures. It clarifies that spaceflight regulation falls under federal and state jurisdiction, not local ordinances.

died · Texas · Senate May 25, 2025

SB 1024: Relating to the issuance of certain anticipation notes and certificates of obligation.

SB 1024 restricts local governments from using temporary borrowing (anticipation notes or certificates of obligation) to cover costs if a similar bond proposal was recently rejected by voters. Specifically, it generally prohibits such borrowing for five years after a bond vote fails, with exceptions for natural disaster cleanup, federal court orders, or compliance with state/federal laws after official notice. The bill amends Texas Government Code and Local Government Code sections to clarify these rules and applies only to obligations issued on or after September 1, 2025. It directly affects cities, counties, and other local entities that issue these financial instruments to manage short-term cash flow. The law aims to prevent repeated voter rejection of bond measures while allowing flexibility for urgent or legally required spending.