HB 3000 creates a state grant program to provide financial assistance to qualified rural ambulance service providers in counties with populations of 68,750 or less. Counties may apply for grants of up to $500,000 (for counties under 10,000 people) or $350,000 (for counties between 10,000-68,750 people) to purchase ambulances, with funds restricted solely to ambulance procurement. Grants require counties to maintain ambulance service budgets in the following fiscal year and prioritize counties with greater distance to trauma facilities or limited funding capacity. The program, now law after being signed by the governor on June 20, 2025, aims to ensure adequate ground ambulance services in underserved rural areas.
HB 5307, the Texas Regulation of Cannabis Act, would establish a state-regulated system for cannabis products in Texas. It requires licenses for businesses growing, processing, and selling cannabis to adults 21+ (defined as "cannabis establishments" and "cannabis growers"), imposes a tax on cannabis products, and creates rules for safety testing and secure transportation. The bill also includes provisions to expunge criminal records for certain minor cannabis offenses that were decriminalized under previous law. This legislation would directly affect adults purchasing cannabis, cannabis businesses seeking licenses, and individuals with qualifying past records. The bill is currently pending in the Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee.
SB 222 creates a state-funded revolving loan program to help historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) in Texas’ construction industry afford performance and payment bonds required for public work contracts. The program, managed by the comptroller, provides interest-free loans of up to $500,000 (based on the business’s prior public contract experience) directly paid to the bond issuer. To qualify, businesses must be HUBs operating in Texas for at least one year, meet financial standards for the contract, and not have defaulted on bonds or filed for bankruptcy within the past 5-7 years. This policy aims to reduce financial barriers for HUBs seeking public contracts by covering upfront bond costs without interest.
HB 998, a proposed bill, would allow disabled veterans to request a pre-purchase determination from their local chief appraiser. This would let them confirm if a property they intend to buy as their primary residence qualifies for a disabled veteran property tax exemption before completing the sale. The bill directly affects disabled veterans seeking to purchase a home, providing clarity on exemption eligibility upfront. It establishes a specific process for veterans to obtain this preliminary verification from the appraisal district. The bill is currently pending in the Texas Legislature (filed November 2024, referred to Ways & Means March 2025).
HB 3412 requires title insurance companies and agents in Texas to provide homebuyers with clear information about eligibility for a residence homestead property tax exemption during real estate closings. The bill mandates that title companies explain exemption criteria, filing deadlines, and application steps, and actively assist buyers in applying for the exemption unless the buyer waives this service. Title companies may charge a reasonable, disclosed fee for this assistance, and violations could result in administrative penalties up to $500. This bill directly affects homebuyers purchasing residential property and title insurance providers handling real estate transactions in Texas.
This bill establishes a down payment assistance grant program specifically for Texas veterans purchasing new manufactured homes. It uses dedicated sales and use tax revenue (from Section 158.059 of the Tax Code) to fund the program, administered by a state board. Eligible veterans must use the home as their primary residence for three years, with exceptions for death, job loss, or home condemnation allowing waivers. The program prohibits transferring or selling the home during this period without board approval, and requires repayment if eligibility rules are violated.
HB 2951 establishes a state grant program to help rural counties pay for minimum salaries for sheriff's and constable's office staff. The bill sets specific annual salary requirements: $75,000 for sheriffs, $45,000 for deputies making traffic stops, $40,000 for jailers and emergency dispatchers in sheriff's offices, and $45,000 for constables and $40,000 for emergency dispatchers in constable's offices. Counties receiving the grant must use funds exclusively for these salaries, hiring additional staff, or purchasing equipment, while contributing at least 75% of the required salary cost themselves. The comptroller will administer the program with standardized application rules, deadlines, and monitoring procedures.
This bill would establish a down payment assistance program for Texas veterans purchasing new manufactured homes, funded by dedicated sales and use tax revenue. Eligible veterans (or surviving spouses if the veteran dies after applying) would receive grants covering part of their down payment, administered by the Texas Commission on Manufactured Housing. Veterans must occupy the home as their primary residence for three years, with limited exceptions for events like death, job loss, or home condemnation. The program ensures funds are used for affordable housing goals through strict occupancy rules and board oversight.
HJR 203 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Texas Health Care Workforce Education Fund, which would provide dedicated funding to eligible Texas state universities for training health care workers. The fund would be financed through legislative appropriations, gifts, grants, and investment earnings, with distributions limited to 7% of the fund’s average value annually to preserve long-term purchasing power. Eligible universities would use these funds to address workforce shortages in health care fields, with allocations determined by a formula established by the legislature. This amendment requires voter approval after legislative passage and does not change current funding mechanisms for higher education.
HB 3253 creates a state grant program to help rural counties pay constable salaries. It provides counties with $75,000-$150,000 per constable precinct annually, depending on county population, to cover minimum salary requirements. Counties must contribute 75% of the required salary amount (e.g., $65,000 for constables, $45,000 for deputies making traffic stops), and grant funds can only be used for salaries, hiring staff, or purchasing equipment - not other expenses. The comptroller will establish application rules, deadlines, and monitoring procedures to ensure compliance. This directly affects rural counties with constable offices serving populations under 300,000.
