Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence

HB 248 creates a second statutory probate court (Probate Court No. 2) in Hidalgo County, Texas, while redesignating the existing probate court as Probate Court No. 1. It also expands jurisdiction for Hidalgo County courts at law, giving them concurrent authority with district courts in family law cases and civil cases involving claims under $750,000. These changes apply only to cases filed on or after the bill’s effective date, leaving pre-existing cases governed by prior law. The bill directly affects Hidalgo County residents and courts handling probate, family, and civil matters. It does not alter existing court structures for cases filed before the effective date.

HB 44 updates jurisdiction rules for Atascosa County Court at Law. It grants this court concurrent authority with district court in misdemeanor cases, family law, juvenile matters, probate, appeals from lower courts, and civil cases under $1 million (excluding certain damages). The bill also adds a provision allowing county court judges to be assigned to district court cases in Atascosa County. These changes apply only to cases filed after the law's effective date.

SB 2501 would allow indigent parents in certain family court cases - such as those opposing termination of parental rights or custody disputes - to select their own attorney instead of relying solely on a court-appointed one. The bill requires courts to inform these parents of their right to choose a licensed Texas attorney who meets state bar requirements (including good standing and continuing education). It applies to indigent parents opposing cases, including those served by publication or with unknown location. The bill also ensures courts cannot interfere with a parent’s chosen attorney, who must then serve as the parent’s official counsel.

SB 2878 creates new judicial districts in Texas, including the 490th and 491st districts for Brazoria County and the 501st and 502nd districts for Fort Bend County, effective September 1, 2025. It also amends existing district boundaries, such as updating the 522nd Judicial District to cover Colorado, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and Lavaca counties, and adjusting the jurisdiction of the 274th Judicial District in Comal, Guadalupe, and Hays counties. These changes reorganize court operations, directly affecting case handling and administrative procedures in the specified counties. The bill was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor in June 2025.

SB 441 creates civil liability for producing, soliciting, disclosing, or promoting AI-generated intimate visual material without a person's consent and with intent to harm. It specifically targets material that reveals the depicted person's identity (e.g., through facial recognition or unique features) and requires proof of actual harm. The law holds both creators of the material and owners of websites/social media platforms liable if they fail to remove such content after notice. This directly affects individuals whose images are used without consent in AI-generated intimate content, providing a legal path to seek damages for the harm caused.