Texas Legislation

Texas House Bill 397 proposes that private firearm transfers require a national instant criminal background check. This means that individuals selling or transferring firearms privately must ensure the recipient passes a background check before completing the transaction. The bill also establishes a new criminal offense for failing to comply with this requirement.

Texas House Bill 398 aims to limit how much the appraised value of certain properties can increase each year for property tax purposes. This could potentially stabilize property taxes by preventing large spikes in property valuations annually.

This bill proposes to exempt certain income-generating tangible personal property from property taxes for a specific period. It aims to provide tax relief to property owners who use their assets to generate income. The bill outlines the conditions under which this tax exemption would apply.

This bill makes it a criminal offense to create and share misleading videos that are intended to affect the results of an election. The goal is to prevent the spread of false information that could manipulate voters and election outcomes.

Texas House Bill 402 aims to regulate the ability of certain foreign individuals or companies to purchase or acquire ownership of real estate in Texas. The bill outlines specific restrictions or conditions under which these foreign entities can engage in real estate transactions within the state.

Texas House Bill 403 proposes that inmates and children in state facilities be housed and placed according to their biological sex. This means that individuals would be assigned to facilities based on the sex they were assigned at birth rather than their gender identity.

The bill proposes a process for state agencies in Texas to review rules they have already adopted. The goal is to ensure these rules continue to be effective, necessary, and not overly burdensome. This review process aims to maintain transparency and accountability in state regulations.

Texas House Bill 407 aims to establish requirements for municipal and county authorities to ensure that new residential constructions are compatible with solar energy devices. This bill would make it a criminal offense for local governments to enact regulations that impede the installation of solar energy systems in new homes.

Texas House Bill 408 proposes to change how the Texas Department of Transportation awards contracts for materials used in road construction. The bill aims to streamline the process and potentially introduce new criteria for selecting suppliers, in order to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness in road projects.

Texas House Bill 409 aims to establish specific requirements for managing the behavior of students enrolled in special education programs in public schools. The bill seeks to ensure that behavior management strategies are appropriate and tailored to the needs of these students.

Texas House Bill 410, introduced by Jon Rosenthal, addresses the rules around pet deposits or fees that landlords can collect from tenants. The bill aims to regulate how these fees are applied, potentially setting limits or providing guidelines to ensure fairness for both landlords and tenants with pets.

Texas House Bill 411 proposes to remove the current restrictions that prevent cities and counties from regulating how housing is rented or leased. This means local governments could have more control over housing policies in their areas.

Texas House Bill 412 aims to require health insurance plans to cover services for early childhood intervention. This would ensure that young children with developmental delays or disabilities receive necessary support and therapies. The bill is intended to make these services more accessible and affordable for families.

Texas House Bill 414 aims to address issues related to unauthorized activities involving real estate. It targets unauthorized entry, occupancy, and transactions such as selling or leasing without proper authority. The bill proposes creating new criminal offenses and increasing penalties for violations, as well as allowing for a fee to be charged in certain situations.

This bill proposes a study to investigate mold contamination in housing developments that receive financial help from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The study aims to understand the extent of mold issues and potentially improve housing conditions in these developments.

This bill proposes changes to the deadlines associated with various tasks in the property tax system in Texas. It aims to adjust timelines for actions such as assessments, appeals, and other related functions to potentially improve efficiency and clarity in the administration of property taxes.

Texas House Bill 417 proposes allowing any qualified voter to participate in early voting by mail. The bill also seeks to remove certain criminal penalties related to the solicitation and distribution of mail-in voting applications.

Texas House Bill 418 aims to address crimes related to sexually explicit visual material involving children or other individuals by enhancing the penalties associated with these offenses. The bill seeks to make it easier to prosecute such crimes and impose stricter punishments on those found guilty.

The bill proposes to set a minimum wage for school bus drivers in Texas. This would ensure that all school bus drivers receive a baseline level of pay for their work.

This bill prevents school district boards from entering into specific types of contracts where there might be a conflict of interest. It also requires board members to disclose any potential conflicts of interest they might have. The goal is to ensure transparency and integrity in the decision-making processes of school boards.

Texas House Bill 424 aims to change how public colleges and universities in Texas determine if a student qualifies as a resident for tuition purposes. This could affect the tuition rates students pay, as in-state residents typically pay lower tuition than non-residents.

Texas House Bill 425 aims to allow voters to register at their polling place on the day of an election. This would streamline the process for those who have not registered in advance, enabling them to participate in voting more easily.

Texas House Bill 427 allows pregnant individuals to use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes while driving alone. The bill recognizes a fetus as an additional occupant, thus qualifying the driver to use lanes typically reserved for vehicles with multiple passengers.

Texas House Bill 428 aims to regulate the identification cards issued by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). It seeks to standardize the information and format on these ID cards to ensure clarity and consistency for consumers. The bill is currently in the introductory stage.