HB 5588 would exempt from ad valorem property taxes the full appraised value of real property (including land) and qualifying tangible personal property used in "qualified data centers" in Texas. To qualify, a data center must be at least 100,000 square feet, primarily used for processing/storage/distribution of data (not telecom), and meet specific energy requirements - including using backup power for all energy needs and having an energy contract with the ERCOT grid. The exemption applies only to owners of properties meeting these criteria and would take effect January 1, 2026, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in 2025.
HB 3111 prohibits Texas peace officers from searching a person's cellular phone or wireless communications device during a lawful arrest without first obtaining a warrant. The bill directly affects individuals arrested by law enforcement and requires officers to secure judicial authorization for such searches, with an exception for "skimmers" defined under state business law. Key provisions amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to establish this warrant requirement for device searches, replacing the previous practice allowing warrantless searches incident to arrest. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, if passed.
SB 215 establishes a state program to issue digital versions of driver's licenses, handgun licenses, and hunting/fishing licenses in Texas. The Texas Department of Public Safety must create a digital ID system that works on wireless devices, includes all standard license information, and allows law enforcement to verify IDs regardless of connectivity. The bill authorizes a $5 fee for issuing each digital ID and requires the department to upgrade infrastructure or contract with third parties to implement the program. This directly affects Texas residents who currently hold physical licenses for these categories and choose to use digital alternatives.
SB 816 allows phone and internet service providers to share certain customer data with government agencies during immediate life-threatening emergencies, such as when there's a genuine belief that someone faces imminent death or serious injury. The bill specifically authorizes disclosure of electronic customer data - like location or communication records - to help prevent harm, provided the provider acts in good faith. It directly affects service providers (e.g., telecom companies) and government responders, while protecting providers from lawsuits for complying with this exception. The law amends Texas criminal procedure code to create this exception, overriding general rules that typically prohibit such data sharing without a court order. This policy change focuses on enabling rapid emergency response, not on broader data privacy or security implications.
HB 2352 requires wireless phone providers and mobile device manufacturers to disable stolen devices. Providers must stop service on devices known to be stolen upon notification from an authorized customer (the account holder or pre-paid owner), while manufacturers must equip new devices sold in Texas with technology allowing owners to render stolen phones unusable. The law applies only to devices manufactured on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. This policy directly affects phone users, providers, and manufacturers by creating a legal mechanism to prevent stolen devices from being used.
HB 3131 requires the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) to study how current state and local laws about pole attachments affect broadband expansion. The study must examine average approval times for pole attachments (including from electric cooperatives), the effectiveness of rules for relocating obsolete or non-compliant poles, and the PUC's current resources for educating broadband providers and utility cooperatives. The PUC must submit an initial report by February 15, 2026, and a final report by December 1, 2026, to relevant legislative committees. This bill directly affects broadband providers, electric cooperatives, and the PUC, but does not make new laws - only mandates a study to identify potential barriers to broadband deployment.
The bill text for HB 5604 is not available in the provided context. The title indicates it relates to access by certificated providers (likely telecommunications or internet service providers) to electric cooperative rights-of-way and poles, but specific provisions cannot be detailed without the full text. The bill was filed on March 14, 2025, and referred to the Telecommunications & Broadband committee on April 7, 2025. Without the bill's actual language, a substantive summary of its mechanisms or direct effects cannot be provided.
HB 3953 directs Texas' Broadband Development Office to study broadband access for apartment buildings and similar multiunit properties (75+ dwelling units, excluding hotels or single-family homes). The study must examine infrastructure gaps, compare provider availability and internet speeds between multiunit properties and single-family homes in urban areas, assess costs, evaluate exclusive contracts between property owners and providers, and analyze how regulations affect service deployment. It will also investigate differences in low-income versus higher-income neighborhoods and report findings to the legislature by December 2026. This is a data-gathering measure with no immediate policy changes, focusing solely on understanding current broadband access challenges for apartment residents.
SB 2365 would require Texas public school districts and charter schools to adopt policies banning students from using personal wireless devices (like smartphones, tablets, or laptops not issued by the school) during class time. The bill allows exceptions for devices needed for individualized education programs (IEPs), documented medical needs, or health/safety requirements. School boards must implement these policies starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all public school students in Texas during instructional periods, with limited exceptions for specific educational or safety needs.
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.
