Legislative Blog

J.B. Williams, J.D.


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A Bit of Background

The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically 89th Legislative Session 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 89th Legislative Session

This subtopic contains a list of some of the "new" laws reviews. Total laws signed/voted into effect = 1,192. This will begin with an appropriations bill, and then go through a few that went into effect immediately. The following dates were when different laws took, or will take, effect: 7/1/25; 9/1/25; 9/5/25; 9/17/25; 10/1/25; 12/5/25; 1/1/26; 6/1/26; 8/1/26; 9/1/26; 1/1/27; 4/1/27; 9/1/27; 1/1/28

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Blog Summary

HB 4488 - abolishing accounts

HB 5437

HB 5659 - interbasin water transfers



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3 House Bills

Published: 2026-07-28

HB 4488 - 12 pages

This automatically abolishes accounts that were created during the 89th Legislature for a specific purpose. They were abolished on August 31, 2025 unless otherwise re-created. This would not apply to funds holding federal funds, trust funds, or bond funds. The following funds were also exempted:

  1. Texas advanced nuclear development fund;
  2. gulf coast protection account;
  3. nonprofit organization supporting employees of DPS account;
  4. farm winery marketing assistance fund;
  5. critical infrastructure emergency response fund;
  6. Quantum University and Business Innovation for Texas fund;
  7. program fund created under Senate Bill 2.
  8. workforce housing capital investment fund;
  9. Dementia Prevention and Research fund;
  10. Texas water fund administration fund;
  11. Texas Strategic Bitcoin Reserve;
  12. Texas Moving image industry incentive fund
  13. dedication of revenue to oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund;
  14. dedication of revenue to state highway fund in House Bill 2427 and House Bill 2763;
  15. dedication of water resource management account in House Bill 3866;
  16. dedication of Texas Historical Commission retail operations fund;
  17. dedication to historic site account;
  18. dedication to compensation to victims of crime fund;
  19. dedication of Texas Department of Insurance operating account;
  20. dedication to clean air account;
  21. dedication to ship channel improvement revolving fund;
  22. dedication to water resource management account;
  23. dedication to state highway fund;
  24. dedication to game, fish, and water safety account;

The list sort of makes you wander how many account were created to be abolished and how many the State has on-going.

HB 5437 - 4 pages

This act created the Austin County Municipal Utility District No 1.

HB 5659 - 3 pages

Sets out rules for public hearings for what the Northeast Texas Municipal Water District would make an interbasin transfer of water.

 


J.B. Williams, J.D.

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


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