Legislative Blog

J.B. Williams, J.D.

11 bills that modify the Government Code

A Blog about 88th Legislature Laws

A Bit of Background

The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 88th Legislature Laws as it relates to that topic.

Brief Summary of Texas

Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.

Summary of 88th Legislature Laws

The blogs here will discuss the laws passed by Congress and signed into law, as well as those, passed by Congress and approved by the voters to become law. There are a multitude of laws and each time I post blogs I will notate here the current effective date if it is different from prior blogs. I am currently posting bills that took effect immediately - those bills total 336. I am currently posting regarding larger bills, so each blog covers a single bill.

Blog Summary

HB 1577 - Eligibility for mandatory supervision of inmate serving a sentence for certain assaults

HB 1620 - Regulation of horse racing by Texas Racing Commission

HB 1748 - Use of facsimile signature on public securities and related certificates

HB 1789 - Application of nepotism prohibitions to a person employed as a school district bus driver

HB 1826 - Establishment of an organized retail theft task force

HB 1914 - Compensatory time accrued by an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

HB 1989 - Fees assessed by the district clerk for copies

HB 2015 - Exemptions to jury service

HB 2157 - Salary of employees who transfer within a state agency

HB 2166 - Designation March 4 as COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day

HB 2194 - Establishing a 'Made in Texas' labeling program

11 bills that modify the Government Code

Published: 2025-07-16

HB 1577

Eligibility for mandatory supervision of inmate serving a sentence for certain assaults

The following have been added to the inmate may not be released to mandatory supervision if serving for conviction of assault in the second degree (Section 22.01 of the Penal Code), or assault of a person whom they have a relationship with, or assault of a pregnant person, or forcing a person to have an abortion.

HB 1620

Regulation of horse racing by Texas Racing Commission

The State Preservation Board will sunset September 1, 2029 - updated from September 1, 2025.

The Sunset Advisory Commission shall review the impact of authorization the executive director applying for and receiving grants to implement or enforce this title, the effect of increasing funding to the Texas Racing Commission at the close of each state fiscal biennium, the effect of complying with existing Chapter 53 law regarding commission licensing, the effect of requiring reimbursement of general revenue in amounts that exceed the cumulative amount deposited in the Texas Racing Commission fund, and the commission's authority to issue a temporary license.

HB 1748

Use of facsimile signature on public securities and related certificates

A facsimile signature of the comptroller, or one designated to act on their behalf, may be placed on public security.

HB 1789

Application of nepotism prohibitions to a person employed as a school district bus driver

A member of the board of trustees may approve the appointment or employment of a district without regard to nepotism.

HB 1826

Establishment of an organized retail theft task force

The comptroller must establish a task force to study and make recommendations relating to preventing organize retail theft in Texas. The task force must include the following:

1. 1 representative from a retailer with a physical retail location;
2. 1 representative from an on line retailer;
3. representatives from local, state, and federal law enforcement

The task force must meet at least quarterly and meetings may be conducted virtually. The task force must:

1. review laws and regulations addressing organized retail theft in other jurisdictions;
2. analyze the impact of organized retail theft, long-term economic impacts of organize retail theft, and advantages/disadvantages of taking various actions;
3. make recommendations regarding organized retail theft outreach and prevention; and training for law enforcement and prosecutors on effective strategies for combating organized retail theft

No later than December 1 in every even-numbered year the task force shall prepare and submit a report of the study to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house, comptroller, and each standing committee in the legislature with primary jurisdiction over criminal matters. The report must include recommendations to increase transparency, improve security, enhance consumer protections, prevent organized retail theft, and address long-term economic impacts. This report may be submitted electronically.

HB 1914

Compensatory time accrued by an employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice

An employee of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice must take accrued compensatory time off withing 24 months of accrual.

HB 1989

Fees assessed by the district clerk for copies

A district clerk cannot charge a fee for an individual's criminal history to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, or a criminal justice agency that requests it to determine firearm purchase eligibility. The last is newly added.

HB 2015

Exemptions to jury service

You must now be over the age of 75 to be exempt from petit jury service. Being over 75 may establish a permanent exemption, but must be proved. The prior age was 70.

HB 2157

Salary of employees who transfer within a state agency

A transfer within an agency, but remaining in the same classified position, means salary may be set within the position's salary range. The position must have been publicly listed and the transfer must be made voluntarily.

HB 2166

Designation March 4 as COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day

March 4 is designated in memory of those who lost their lives to COVID-19, and to the health care workers, first responders, and other essential workers who kept working during the COVID-19 pandemic so the public could stay safe.

HB 2194

Establishing a 'Made in Texas' labeling program

The Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office (the Office) must establish criteria for determining whether a product may be advertised, sold, or offered for sale in Texas as a 'Made in Texas' or equivalent meaning the product was made in whole or in substantial part in Texas. And the Office shall design and administer the use of a logo for application to products, and the authorizing it's use. The product must be all or virtually all significant parts and processing originating in Texas.

This does not apply to the labeling of wine or Texas agricultural products.

 

J.B. Williams, J.D.

4,312 federal laws were passed from 1995 through December 2016.
Along with 88,819 federal rules and regulations.