Texas Legislation

Texas House Bill 429 allows a person occupying a voting station to have their child assist them in reading and marking the ballot. This bill is intended to make the voting process more accessible for individuals who may need assistance from a family member, specifically their child.

Texas House Bill 430 aims to update the language used in public schools to describe certain disabilities when determining eligibility for special education services. The goal is to ensure that the terminology is respectful and current, reflecting modern understanding and sensitivity towards individuals with disabilities.

Texas House Bill 432 aims to require that a national instant criminal background check be conducted for private firearm transfers. This means that before a gun can be transferred between private individuals, a background check must be completed to ensure the buyer is legally permitted to own a firearm. The bill also establishes a criminal offense for those who fail to comply with this requirement.

This bill proposes the creation of a council to improve collaboration between higher education institutions and the corrections system in Texas. The council would focus on enhancing educational opportunities for individuals within the corrections system to better prepare them for reintegration into society.

This bill proposes to establish a program that reimburses people who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the fees they pay when using food delivery services. The aim is to reduce the financial burden of delivery fees for those who rely on SNAP benefits.

Texas House Bill 435 aims to make it illegal to carry a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If passed, the bill would create a new criminal offense for individuals who are found carrying firearms while intoxicated.

Texas House Bill 436, introduced by Representative Terri Leo-Wilson, addresses the use of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statements and training by certain government entities. The bill would regulate or potentially limit the requirement for DEI statements and training for employees, prospective employees, and contractors working with these entities.

Texas House Bill 437 proposes that children in detention or correctional facilities be placed according to their biological sex. This means that the gender assigned at birth will determine the facility placement for minors in these settings. The bill aims to standardize the placement process based on biological sex rather than gender identity.

Texas House Bill 438 aims to prevent rent increases for tenants living in housing developments that receive low-income housing tax credits. This means that if you live in such a development, your rent cannot be raised, ensuring more stable housing costs for low-income residents.

Texas House Bill 439 aims to establish procedures for maintaining voter registration records and reviewing mail-in ballots. It includes provisions to create new criminal offenses related to the mishandling or fraudulent use of these voter registration records and mail-in ballots.

Texas House Bill 440 proposes that certain alert messages, such as emergency alerts, be provided in both English and Spanish. The intent is to ensure that all residents, including Spanish speakers, can understand critical information during emergencies.

Texas House Bill 441 proposes changes to the way state funding is adjusted for school districts with low student populations under the Foundation School Program. This bill aims to modify the sparsity adjustment, which helps ensure that smaller districts receive adequate funding despite having fewer students. The bill's adjustments seek to address funding disparities and better support rural or less populated areas.

Texas House Bill 442 aims to limit how much the appraised value of a primary home can increase each year for property tax purposes. This means homeowners could see smaller annual increases in their property taxes, providing more predictability in their financial planning.

Texas House Bill 443 aims to make it illegal to possess or transfer an assault weapon unlawfully. If passed, this bill would create a new criminal offense targeting those who handle assault weapons without proper authorization. The bill is currently in the introductory stage and sponsored by Terry Meza.

Texas House Bill 444 allows individuals to apply for a writ of habeas corpus if there is new scientific evidence that was not available during their original trial. This means that people who were convicted might have a chance to challenge their conviction if new scientific findings could impact the outcome of their case.

Texas House Bill 445 proposes to offer an early agreement credit for school districts that purchase attendance credits under the state's public school finance system. This bill aims to incentivize school districts to commit to purchasing these credits earlier in the fiscal year, potentially aiding in financial planning and resource allocation.

The bill aims to prevent heat-related illnesses in the workplace by establishing a heat illness prevention advisory board. It proposes administrative penalties for non-compliance and allows individuals to take legal action if they are affected by inadequate heat safety measures.

The bill requires that traffic impact studies be conducted before municipal utility districts can issue certain bonds. This ensures that potential traffic issues are assessed and addressed prior to the approval of bond-funded projects.

Texas House Bill 448 allows residents to submit a notarized affidavit to request that a municipal animal control authority seize and impound a dog deemed dangerous or aggressive, even if the dog is located outside the municipality's official boundaries but within its extraterritorial jurisdiction. This aims to improve public safety by providing a legal mechanism for addressing potentially dangerous dogs in areas just outside city limits.

Texas House Bill 450 proposes to recognize individuals who left military service solely due to their sexual orientation as having been honorably discharged under state law. This would ensure that these individuals receive the same benefits and recognition as other honorably discharged veterans.

Texas House Bill 452 proposes a refund of sales and use taxes for certain small businesses. The bill aims to alleviate the financial burden on small businesses by reimbursing them for taxes they have paid. This could help small businesses reinvest in their operations and support economic growth.

This bill proposes to increase the criminal penalties for anyone caught delivering certain controlled substances, classified under Penalty Group 1-B, to minors. It aims to impose harsher consequences on those who provide these drugs to children.

Texas House Bill 454 proposes to eliminate the death penalty in the state. If passed, this legislation would mean that individuals convicted of capital crimes would no longer face execution as a form of punishment.

Texas House Bill 455 aims to set a cap on the total amount of property taxes that local governments can charge on the homes of individuals who are disabled or elderly, as well as their surviving spouses. This bill is designed to provide financial relief by limiting how much these groups have to pay in property taxes each year.